The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-04-19

81 them into one. Inc sun
NM filtered through the
~ II cracks of the canvas; it
poured in a broad, dane
cling, shifting column of gold through
the open tent flap. The air was
hot, not an endurable, dry heat,
but moist, sticky heat which
drew an intolerable mist from the
water standing in pools beneath the
plain flooring Of the tents. The flies
Led no barrier and they entered in
noisome companies, to swarm, heav'
ny buzzing. about the medicine spoons
and the tumblers and crawl over the
nostf1s and mouths Of the typhoid
patients, too weak and stupid to
brush them away. The other sick
men would lift their feeble skeletons
Of hands against them; and tall SOL
der 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 a raw man de-
tailed only the day before and not
used to nursing, being q 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 de-
Jected attention. Once he laid his
hand shyly on the sick mans fore
head. and when he took it away he
strangled 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.
A man in q 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 q short man and
thin, but with a good color under bis
tan, and teeth cleaning at Mis- 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. cit the hot-water bot
tie Quick's you cant" he muttered,
"and git the screen-tbe one made!"
- bs spoke he was dropping brandy
the cosnere Of Maxwells mouth.
l6eSn the chin.
quiet. donr,hew
49, - pc with an aver
strucA =, them tfings!" said Spruce.
cSS6-nash of his eyes after
al words, whereat the soldier shut
ned 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 |
q kind Of groan into q cough and |
wiped his face. Awkwardly he helped |
Spruce wherever there was the chance |
for hand; and in a little while his
bungling agitation reached the work.
or. who Strengthened up and turned
. grim face on him.
WAS It me?" he whispered then.
@ror Gods sake, Spruce-I did every.
thing the doctor told me, highs
could remember. I didn't disturb him,
cause he 'peared to be asleep. IL
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 pla-
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"
SIS! 'Tain't no good talking.
You done your best. Go and report"
As the wretched soldier numbered
on, Spruce set his teeth on an ugly
oath.
Il ought to have stayed, maybe"
he thought. but I've been doing with
% 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 @ boys
through. that's all ask!"
He went over to the next cot. where
lay the nearest of the G boys, greet
Ing him cheerily. Hello, Dickr"
Dick was a handsome young Spec
ter. just beginning to turn the corner
IN q bad case Of typhoid fever. His
blue eyes lighted at Spruce's voice:
and be sent q smile back at Spruce's
smile. did you get some sleep,"
said he. What's 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 1ex-
preston Of pleasure. Il don't believe
any OF the others get milk" he muir.
INJURED: save the rest for Edgar"
Edgar don't need 1t. Dick" Spruce
answered gently. |,
Dick drew long. shivering sigh and
big eyes wandered to the screen. He
~ a soldier and he died for his
country jest the same as II he were
hit by Mauser." said Spruce-he
had taken the sick boys long. thin