The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-05-21
copyrixhL by A. c. MeclurS a Co
nx<<ed a Srnrloo<Sss Nall. I~o.too.

nuence In tho voice, although at the
thought her face paled. 81 have been
In the hospitals at Baltimore, and
taken care OF wounded soldiers. II
there vas only some water. here."
She glanced about, dreading the DOS.
sioility OF having to 60 forth into
the night alone In search OF a spring
or we'll.
Il think you will find a pail on the
bench yonder," I said, for from where
L leaned against the wall could see
out into the shed. 1T was doubtless
left for the dog TO drink from"
She came back witch II, tearing down
cloth from off a peg In the wall as
she passed. and then. wearing a reso-
lutte air OF authority, knelt beside me,
and with rapid fingers, flung back my
jacket. unfastening the rough army
shirt. and laid bare. so far as was
possible, the lacerated shoulder.
Forgive me-" she said anxiously.
but ! fear l can never dress Il In
this way. We must remove your
Jacket and cut away the sleeve OF your
shirt"
AT last the disagreeable task was
accomplished. the wounded shoulder
completely barred. Her face was
deathly white now. and she shielded
her eyes with her hand.
oh. what a horrible wound!" she
exclaimed. almost sobblng. How that
great brute must have hurt you!"
The wound is not so serious as Il
appears" replied reasswingly. and
glad myself to feel that I spoke ths
truth. but I confess the pain IL In
tense. and makes me feel somewhat
faint IL was not so much the mere
bite OF the dog. but unfortunately he
got his teeth into an old wound and
tore II open"
"An old wound?"
Yes; i received a MIME bali there
at Gettysburg. and although the bullet
was extracted. the wound never prop
erly healed"
She performed her disagreeable
task with all the tenderness OF a
sympathetic woman. and as she
worked swiftly and deftly. made no
attempt 10 conceal the tears clinging
20 her long iashes. Skilfully the
deep. Jagged cash was bathed out.
and then as carefully bound up with
the softest cloths she could find at
hand. The relief was great. and I felt,
as | moved the shoulder. that saving
the soreness II would probably not
greatly bother me.
Now you must lie back and rest"
she said commandingly, as | attempted
10 thank her.
AS your nurse / command abso-
lutte quiet" striving to speak gaily.
See. the daylight Is already here,
and | nean 10 discover II this lone
cabin contains anything which human
beings can eat: confess that l am
nearly famished"
"A most excellent symptom, and 7
imagine your quest will not be wholly
vain. To my eye that greatly re-
sembles slab Of bacon hanging be.
side the chimney"
1T indeed is." she exclaimed. "and
feel as a shlpwrecked seaman must
on first beholding land"
However my naturally energetic
spirit revolted at inactivity. for the
time being my faintness preoluded any
thought OF doing other than obeying
her orders. and lay there silent
propped up against the logs, my eager
eyes following her rapid, graceful
movements with a constantly increas-
Ing interest As she worked, the re
Election OF the red flames became
mingled with the gray dawn. until the
bare and cheerless interior grew more
and more visible. Her search was far
from unsuccessful. while her resource
fulness astonished me. ola campaigner
as I was; for II was scarcely more
than full daylight before she had me
at the table. and I was doing full
Justice TO such coarse food as the
larder furnished.
The eating helped me greatly: but
for some time so busy were we tha,
neither Of us spoke On my own part
i experienced a strange hesltancy In
addressing her upon terms Of equality
ordinarily not easily embarrassed ir
feminine society. felt In this inc.ance
n definite barrier between us. which
prevented my feeling at ease Now
and then as We sat opposite each
other. eating amid a silence most un
peasant. | would catch her eye.
glancing across at me. but they wer,
lJwered instantly whenever venturet
TO meet them Finally I broke tho
stiffness with a commonplace remark
II presume your people Will b,
greatly worried by 'his time over youl
mysterious disappearance
A flush swept her throat anC
cheeks, r.l s.. al not lIft her eyes
from the plate Nes." she answered
slowly. ruak q oubtless searchIns
for me ... i.f... this"