The Washington herald., 1913-04-20

sore perplexity. wrote to both the cap.
tain and Spruce and kept her truns
packed. expecting q TELEGRAM. Danver,
used to talk of her and of his mothol
and of this little nephews and nieces t.
Spruce, at first In mers broken sentences
this was when he was SO Ill they ex.
pected that he might die any day-latel
In little happy snatches of "Reminiscences
,, He was perfectly aware that he owed
his life to Spruce's nursing; and he gave
Spruce the same admiration which hi
had used to give the great man who
commanded the university football team
Tho social hiatus between them closed
UP insensibly. as II always does between
men who are in danger and suffering to.
gether. Danvers knew Spruce's football
and his thin face would tighten with q
smile whenever the sergeant came in
sight. He liked the strong, soft touch
of his hand. the soothing cadence Of his
voice: he felt gratitude which he was
too boyish to express for the comfort OF
Spruce's baths and rubbings and cheer
fulness. The other sick lads had a touch
of the same feeling for the sergeant.
As he passed from cot to cot, even the
sickest man could make some little sign
Of relief at his return.
Spruce's heart, a simple and tender
affair, SIS a soldiers is, oftener than peo-
pie know. swelled within him. not for the
first time.
We'll. / guess I done right to come
here" thought he. land 1 guess all the
boys will be out Of the woods this
week. and then I don't care how soon
We git our orders"
Danvers stopped him when he return
ed. II want to speak to you. Chris" he
next said, and a new note In his voice
turned Spruce about abruptly
Whats the matter. Dick?'
"Oh, nothing, 1 only wanted to be sure
you'd come back and say good-by before
you got off. The regiments got its or
ders. you know"
NO" cried Spruce He swallowed a
little gasp. What are you giving me?"
"Oh. it's straight; 1 heard them talk
ing. Colonel has the order; the boys are
packing today
Spruce's eyes burned, he was minded
to make some EXPLANATIONS Of profane
JOY, but his mood fell at the sight of the
boys quivering smile.
Great, isn't it?" said Danyers. 81
wish they'd wait two weeks and given
us fellows show. but dare say there
won't be any show by that time the
way they are after the dons at Santiago
Can't you get of now, to pack? But
you'll be sure to come back and say
good-by, Chris,'
Il amt of yet" said Spruce land I
amt too sure / will be- They're always
Citing orders and making an everlasting
hustle to pack up, and then unpacking.
You go to sleep
He was about to move away, but Dan
Vers detained him. saying that he want
ed TO be turned; and as the soldier
gently turned him, the boy got one of
tried to say something. but was barely
able to give Spruce a foolish smile.
Spruce. you're a soldier and a gentle
mani" he stammered. He turned away
his head to hide the tears in his eyes.
But Spruce had seen them. OF course,
he made no sign. stepping away briskly,
with little pat on the lean shoulder
He came back softly in a little while
He looked at Danvers, who was sinu-
lating sleep. with his dark lashes fallen
over red eyelids, and he shook his head.
During his absence he had found that
the orders were no rumor. The regi-
ment was going to Porto Rico sure
Spruce stood a moment be-
fore he laid down by Danvers' side. But
ne barely was seated ere he was on his
feet again, in a nervous irritation which
none had ever seen in Spruce He walk
I'd to the door of the tent and gazed, in
the same attitude that the nurse had
yazed. an hour earlier, at the low, white
streets. Two great buzzards were flying
ow against the hot, cloudless vault Of
blue
Them boys'll be all broke up if I |
co." said Spruce.
He frowned and fidgeted. In fact, he |
displayed every symptom of man
with fit of furious temper |
What really was buffeting Spruce's soul |
vas not, however, anger, it was the |