Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-06-19

XA< end to end, thus turning
n them into one. The SUI
NV filtered through the
~ cracks of the canvas; II
poured in a broad, dane
cling, shifting column OF gold through
the open tent flap. The air wa:
hot, not an endurable, dry heat
but moist sticky heat which
dlew an intoerab.e mist from The
water standing in pools beneath The
plain flooring of the tents. The file!
had no barrier and they entered II
noisome companies, to swarm. heav
i'y buzzing. about II medicine spoons
and the tumblers and crawl over the
nostrils and mouths of the typhoC
raticnts. too weak and stupid tt
brush them away. The other SICK
men would lift their feeble skeletons
OF hands against them; and tall sol
dicr who walked between the cots
and was the sole nurse on duty
waved his palm-leaf fan at them and
swore softly under his breath.
There were ten serious cases In the
ward. The soldier was raw man de-
tailed only the day before and not
used to nursing, being blacksmith
in civil life. An overworked surgeon
had instructed him in the use of a
thermometer; but he was much more
confident of the success of his lesson
than the instructed one. There was
one case in particular bothered the
nurse; he returned to the cot where
this case lay more than once and
eyed the gaunt figure which lay so
quietly under the sheet, with a de-
jected attention. Once he laid his
hand shyly on the sick mans fore.
head, and when he took 1t away he
atrangled a desperate sort of sigh
Then he walked to the end of the tent
and stared dismally down the camp
street flooded with sunshine. Well,
thank God, there's Spruce!" said he
4 man in a khaki uniform carrying a
bale of mosquito netting, was walking
smartly through the glare. He
stopped at the tent. How goes it,
said he, cheerfully, but In the lowest
Of tones. He was a short man and
thin. but with a good color under his
tan, and teeth cleaning at his smile
white as milk.
Why I'm kinder worried about
Maxwell"
Before he could finish his sentence
Spruce was at MaXwells cot. His
face changed. "Git the hot.water bot
tie quick's you cam" he muttered
"and git the screen-the one | made"
AS he spoke he was dropping brandy
into the corners Of Maxwell's mouth
The brandy trickled down the chin.
'He looks awful quiet don't he?"
whispered the nurse with an awe"
struck glance.
You git them things!' said Spruce,
ard he sent flash of his eyes after
his words, whereat the soldier shut.
fed out Of the tent, returning first
with the screen and last with the bot.
ties. Then he watched Spruce's rapid
but silent movements. At last he
ventured to breathe: Say, he amt,
he ain't-he amt"
Spruce nodded. The other turned
kind of groan into cough and
wired his face. Awkwardly he helped
Spruce wherever there was the chance.
for a hand; and in little while his.
bungling agitation reached the work.
er, who Strengthened up and turned
grim face on him
Was 1t me?" he whispered then.
For Gods sake, Spruce-I did every
thing the doctor told me, highs l.
could remember. ! didn't disturb him.
cause he 'peared to be asleep. II
never saw a man die before!"
1T amt no fault of yours" said
Spruce in the same low whisper.
I'm sorry for you. Did you give him
the ice | got?"
Yes, I did, sergeant"
The soldier was looking at the pIa,.
cid face. A sob choked him. "he
said: Thank you every time / gave
him anything" he gulped. God! it's
murder to put fools like me at nurs.
ing; and the country full of women
that know how and want to GOMEZ"
"S-s-s! 'Tain't no good talking.
You done your best. Go and report"
AS the wretched soldier numbered
off, Spruce set his teeth on an ugly
oath.
II ought to have stayed, maybe"
he thought, "but I've been doing with
so little sleep, my head was feeling
dirty queer; and the doctor sent me.
Collapse, of course; temperature ran
down to normal, and poor Tooley
didn't notice, and him too weak to
talk! Well, hope I git the G boys
through, that's all l ask!"
He went over to the next cot, where
lay the nearest of the G boys, greet
ing him cheerily. "Hello, Dick?"
Dick was handsome young spec.
ter, just beginning to turn the corner
in a bad case Of typhoid fever. His
blue eyes lighted at Spruces voice;
and he sent a smile back at Spruce S
smile did you get some sleep%'
said he. Whats that you have in
your hand.?"
That's milk, real milk from a COW.
Yes, lots of sleep; you drink that"
The sick man drank 1t with an ex-
preston of pleasure. II don't believe