The Washington herald., 1913-04-20

l .
spruce's knowledge of military traditions.
freed his mind about that "bumptious
| regular who was so keen to fight, but Che
noticed was hanging on to his sick de-
tail now the regiment had chance to
see a few Spaniards." Spruce. In his
properly buttoned uniform, his face red
with the heat and something Of tho
words, saluted vigorously and passed by,
not a single muscle twitching. All the
while he was thinking: I'm glad he
don't belong to my town! God! I any
| body was to write them things about
met"
| BY this time the town was not only
| his town. but he was sure that he was
a figure In the conversation of the place.
| Thus his anxiety of mind increased daily.
| He kept 1t from his charges, who grew
stronger all the week, and the next;
| and he read such papers as drifted out
to the camp and such shreds Of news
about the fighting with frantic interest.
Danvers was able to sit Up at the end
of the three weeks, but most of the
boys were further along, walking about
the wards, or gone back to their regi-
ment.
"You get out, Chris said Danvers.
I'VE all know you're on your head with
aching to go. We're all right: and I'm
of home on furlough tomorrow; I'll
get Strengthened out there quicker. and
I'll be after you next week, see II
don't! I knew you'd be hanging on, so
won't give you the excuse. Ny sis
ter's coming tomorrow
Really, Dick" gasped Spruce, land
you-you're sure the other boys are SOS
can leave"'
We'll, you know there are going to be
some women from the Red Cross last
of the week-Oh, by the time we are all
out of it, this will be a swell hospital.
with all the Injuries, Spruce, go, and
don't get hurt. or I'll murder you.'
Spruce struggled like a happy girl. He
was on his way to put in his appli-
cation to join his regiment the next day
after Dick Danvers' sister had arriv-
ed, when something happened He did
not exactly know what 1t was himself.
until he felt the water on his forehead
and tried to lift himself up from the
sand. catching the arm of the surgeon
in-chief. ''Sunstroke, doctor?" he wills
pered
Just tainted the surgeon answered
cheerfully. you've been OVERRIDING it in
this heat Be careful"
"Oh, it's nothing. SIR Spruce grinned
back; had it lots OF times. only not
SO bad All the boys git giddy heads"
Somehow the ready words faltered OF
his tongue; the surgeon had been FUN
bling at his blouse, under the pretext
of opening IL for air, he was looking
in a queer. intent way at Spruce's chest. |
OF sudden the eyes of doctor and
soldier, who had been nurse, met and
challenged each other. There was
dumb terror in the soldiers eyes. a |
grave pity in the surgeons. Il seen
them spots yesterday said Spruce. !
wouldn't believe they was typhoid spots, |
nor they amt |
You get inside and get drink, Spruce. |
and go to bed" said the doctor. "Of |
course, I'm not quite certain. but as |
good a nurse as you know that Is isn't |
safe to try to bluff typhoid fever"
BY this time Spruce was on his feet.
able TO salute with his reply: That's /
all right Major. butt got to keep up
till Danvers gifts off with his folks, or
he'd be kicking and want to stay. Jest
let me see him off, and I'll go straight
to bed
NO walking about. mind. though said
the doctor. not well pleased. yet know
ing enough of the two men to perceive
the point OF the argument.
Spruce saw Danvers off, with joke
and grin. and an awkward bow for
Danvers' sister. Then he went back 10
the hospital and went to bed. having
written his aunts address on a prescrip-
ton and Zone of his requirements in his
foraging trips) with a remarkably spelled
request that his pay be sent her, and
his other property be given his friend. r.
E. Danvers. TO divide among his friends,
giving the captain first choice
Lots of folks die of typhoid fever"
he remarked quite easily, and it don't
hurt to be ready. l feel like I was in
for a bad time, and / amt stuck on the
nursing here a little bit"
Before the week was out he recognized
rs we'll as the doctors that he was a very
sick man.
IF you'd only gone off with your regi-
ment three weeks ago." the doctor
yrowled one day. you'd have missed !
this. Spruce" |
That's all right said Spruce, ''but I
some of the boys are home that wouldn'.
De. maybe. 1 guess it's all right. Only, !
you know captain and Danvers; I wish :
you'd write back to the old town and :
ell the committee 1 done my duty. I !
amt be a credit to the company. but :
lone my duty, though l expect there's ,
olks in town may think / was mailing :
,ring'
stop talking" commanded the doctor. =
Did you know the women are coming ,
you are to have a nurse of
your own here"'
Time" said Spruce; 'if my town had Q
is way. they'd been here long ago. Ever I
,een in my town, major?'
mo. Good-by, Spruce: keep quiet"
Its the bulliest town in the country J
nd the prettiest And when G. Com
ANY goes back-Oh, Lord, / won't De
With 'em"' IL
The surgeons hand on his shoulder
revented the movement which he would
ave made. and he apologized: 81 didn't .
mean to do that! Moving's so bad. Tell :.
ou, Id a time keeping the boys still; =
hey would turn when they got a little a
fl. Say. I got to talk. major. some =
hing's broke loose in me and 1 got to
ak. 1 don't want to; i just got to-" =
When the nurse came he was so light :,
eaded as to have no control Of his .
words, yet quite able to recognize her =.
nd welcome her with an apologize po "
teness. A
I'D have had some lemonade for you -
: I'd been myself, ma'am. We're glad o.
0 see you. All the G boys are conva- y
escing; most of ems gone. We all
ONE from the same city: it's an awful h.
retty town. got lot OF friends there $,
hat maybe don't take it in why I'm z,
ere stead of with my regiment, with ST
he old man. / got a good reason; only G
can't remember 1t now n
The captains father stood outside the re
slegraph Office in Spruce's town. Beside u
i'm was the chairman of the relief COM .,
,ittee. oil
TOO bad about that regular" said "
ne chairman. "Spruce-isn't that his ~
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