Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-13

49, = SSN LIE SuISeOH nOu his uedu /
and heard him add that it would take
great nursing to pull me through.
1t was the last thing remember 70, |
many a day. I heard afterward how
he nursed ne; how he slept by my cot |
at night and sat by it all day. After /
ward he told me that / talked only of
the Pines in my delirium, and for the /!
first time he had learned that it was
who had taken up the mortgage and
reduced the interest The day came
when the surgeons despaired Of my
life, and then it was that he tele-
graphed his sister. l have that faded
bit of paper on which be wrote the
message framed and hanging over my
desk and underneath it her answer.
Lieutenant Palmer lying at point of
death. Your name necessarily on his
lips. Don't come if you think best, but
it might save his life." was what he
sent.
The answer was even shorter. 1t
read simply, Keep him alive until l
reich there"
They told me that her nursing saved
my life. One touch from her hand and
my delirium would subside, and. though
l lay unconscious for days. she took
little rest, and when she would lie
down it was Bud who would take her
place at my side.
One morning just after orders came
for my regiment to start for Cuba my
eyes opened to the world and my
senses returned Bud was by my side.
l knew then that Miss Ellen had been
there, for the influence of her presence
was with me still.
"Where is she?' l asked.
Getting a little needed rest" he an
swered. The crisis was passed last
night, and she knows you are saved to
her"
The big. strong fellow could stand it
no longer. He knelt by my bed and,
! holding my hand. buried his face in
the covering. / knew that he was
weeping for very Joy for his sister. I
turned over YEARLY and laid my hand
on his head.
Bud" l whispered, has she for
given:"
Yes. Howard he said. "She has
told you so herself many time in the
/ long watches of the night
lapsed into Inconsistencies again,
and when | awOke Miss Ellen was by
my side. She II was who told me that
my regiment was going and held my
hand in sympathy, for she knew how
it would hurt me to be left behind.
She read me the presidents noble
words of praise for the men who had
answered to the call for troops and
drawing from her pocket q little slip
of paper, read me what the executive
had TO say Of those who had fallen i'll
with fever and who had served their
country only in the camp. 1t was only
short message from our president in
answer to an invitation to come to
/ Chickamauga. but 1t cheered many a
/ POOR fellow who, as l, lay stricken
with the fever and who was forced to
see his comrades march away to duty
! at the front. 1t was the message just
/ as it came. and as she read it her eyes
| filed with tears:
Executive Mansion, Washington.
/ Major General Commanding Camp Thorn
as, Chickamauga:
/ Replying TO your invitation, ! beg to
say that II would give me great pleasure
! 10 show by a personal visit to Chicka-
manga park my high regard for the 20 900
/ troops OF your command who so patriot
] ically responded TO the call for volunteers
| and who have been for upward Of two
! months making ready for any service and
! sacrifice the country might require. My
I duties. however. will not admit of absence
] from washington at this time. The high
est tribute that can be paid TO the soldier
. IS 10 say that he performed his full duty.
/ The field OF duty is determined by his
/ government. and wherever that chances
. to be is the place OF honor. All have
/ helped in the great cause. whether with
| fever in camp OF in battle, and when
/ peace comes all will be alike entitled to
! the nations gratitude.
WILLIAM MKINLEY
After that she talked TO me OF the
I Pines, and then it was she told me she
had never read nay letters to her, that
she was afraid she might forgive me
and that she did not want to do that
even in her heart. When l was strong
enough to sit up was given leave.
and it was Miss Ellen herself who IN
dertoOk to make all arrangements for
{ my journey 10 the Pines, for 1t was
/ there that ! wanted to 90 TO recuper-
ate. Finally the day came when my
regiment was to move. | was proppe4
up with pillows that l might see it
break camp and march away.
Ellen" l said as saw the last com
\ pany. the one to which belonged. fail
into fours, but for you ! could no,
stand that" pointing to the retreating
! regiment.
She turned to me, and. making a low
courtesy, as she had done that April
night now many months ago, she said
smiling all the while through her tears
You were not made for a soldier
M lord You have been forced to lay
aside the sword. You must take I'D the
pen again"
And then I knew for the first time
that she had not only forgiven NE, but
that at last she had understood.
THE End.