"I wanted to see you and thank you," she said in her gentle voice. "More than once Mr. Riggs has spoken of your consideration and courtesy in all this--this sad affair; but yesterday he was quite overcome. They did not get back with the ambulance until nearly seven, and all that time he would have been kept waiting, and I--"
"It was a pleasure to me to be of any service," he answered; "but I am grieved to see you so prostrated, so ill. Do you know I--I think you are worrying far too much?"
Eagerly she glanced up into his face. "Oh, Captain Park! I know you cannot tell me the sentence; I know you cannot tell me anything they have done, but I am so torn with doubt, so unhappy! Mr. Riggs seems so friendless here. No one knows him, no one understands him. Last night he almost broke down as he said that in a whole year yours was the only voice he had heard that seemed to have a ring of friendship or sympathy.
His people have written to him to come home. They think he must be dismissed, and have so written to him and to me. They urge me to come at once and get the little home they offer in readiness, so that he can be induced to come right there if the order is--is against us. I am ill, but if need be I could go. I would be glad to think of having that little haven for him in case he were crushed by this, but _ought_ I to go? Ought I to leave him here alone? It will be full three weeks or a month before we can hear from Washington, I suppose."
Still standing, he bent over her chair. "Shall I tell you what I think you ought to do, at once?" he asked, almost smiling. "I believe I will, anyway. It may be a very rude and impertinent thing to say, but it is my belief that the best thing you can do is get well--get well right away, and be ready, you and Mr. Riggs, to take Christmas dinner with us.
Mrs. Park will be back next week, and I know she will be delighted.
There! It is nearly a month away to be sure, but that will give you abundant time. Meanwhile, of course you can"t go home. Will you promise me, Mrs. Riggs?" And the legal adviser held out his hand, gave her a cordial grasp, and vanished before she could find one word in which to thank him. When Mr. Riggs rejoined his wife she was sobbing like a little child, and yet there was a world of hope and gladness in her swollen eyes as she gazed up into his tired face and drew it down to her lips.
As for Captain Park, it was observed of him that he whistled with considerable cheeriness on his way back to town, and as he sat at his desk that evening completing the record of the court. Some weeks afterwards, in speaking of the requirement that no officer of a court shall make known its sentence except to the reviewing authority, Captain Park was heard to mutter, "Wonder if inviting a fellow to a Christmas dinner would be revealing the sentence of a court?" and somebody present replied, "How could it be?"
And yet Mrs. Riggs was gaining health and spirits with every day, and Mr. Riggs, though still confined to the garrison in arrest, was serenely enjoying life in her society.
Three weeks later a brace of orders arrived from the War Department, and there was uproar and excitement among the youngsters in the --th Foot.
Full information of course preceded the official announcement, but the very enlisted men grinned with delight when those orders were read on parade, for the story of Plodder"s speculation had reached the ranks, where he was no favorite. Divested of their official forms the orders were, first, publication of the proceedings of the court-martial before which Lieutenant Riggs was arraigned and tried, and in accordance with his plea was found guilty and sentenced to be dismissed the service. All of which was approved; but, said the order, "in view of the earnest recommendation signed by the entire court, and concurred in by the commanding generals of the department and of the army, the president has been pleased to remit the sentence, and Lieutenant Riggs will resume his sword and return to duty."
Then came the second order from the A.G.O.:
"PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS.
"--_th Infantry._
"Second Lieutenant John B. Riggs to be first lieutenant, vice Calvin resigned. December 3, 187-.
"Second Lieutenant William H. Trainor to be first lieutenant, he being the adjutant. December 3, 187-."
And Plodder"s h.o.a.rded four hundred dollars had really purchased Riggs"s promotion. "Bless your generous heart, Plod!" burst out that irrepressible scapegrace Trickett as the officers dispersed after dismissal of parade. "Let me shake hands with you, old man. Now just chip in another four hundred and buy me a file and I"ll--" But the rest was lost in the explosions of laughter, under cover of which poor Plodder went raging to his quarters.
As for Riggs, he wore his bars for the first time at Park"s Christmas dinner, and he wears them yet, only he hates to be spoken of as "Plodder"s Promotion."
THE END.