The Rough Rider

by Gilbert, Morris

  Now the captain said, “Come along and I’ll fix you men up myself.”

  The ship pulled out the next morning at dawn. Dr. Burns had been unable to move his supplies, but he had given them to the doctor who was staying. That first day they made good time, and on the second night out, Gail and Dr. Burns were taking a leisurely walk around the deck. The Miami was not as crowded as the one they had sailed in on, as it was a much larger vessel.

  “Almost like a pleasure cruise after the voyage down here, isn’t it?” Dr. Burns said. The two paused and leaned against the rail. Dusk had fallen, and there was a hissing sound as the Miami cut through the waves.

  “It’s much nicer,” Gail agreed. She was wearing a blue gingham dress, the only nice one she’d brought with her. She’d let her hair down, and it blew in the wind, making an attractive picture.

  Dr. Burns seemed to have trouble speaking. He started once to say something, then broke off suddenly. Finally, with something almost like desperation in his manner, he turned to her. Reaching out, he took her arm and pulled her around to face him. “Gail,” he said, “there’s something I’ve got to say. It’s been on my heart a long time.”

  Instantly, Gail knew what was in the young physician. She stood there as he held her arm, conscious of the strength of his grip. For some time, she had been aware that David Burns was interested in her as more than just a nurse. She had been so young when they had first met, but since then she had grown into an attractive woman. Now, she saw something in his gentle eyes that he had kept hidden, and she waited as he struggled to find the right words.

  “I’m not a man who knows a great deal about women,” Burns said quietly. “But for a long time now, I have felt something for you. I didn’t want to say anything, for it didn’t seem right, but now I’ve got to speak.” He paused for a moment, then said, “I love you, Gail, and that’s all there is to it!” Without waiting for her reply, he reached out and pulled her to him. She did not resist, but took his kiss and rested her arms on his shoulders. He was gentle, and this was the quality that she prized most in this man—his gentleness and his strength.

  These were the two things that Gail Summers had longed for in a man. She sensed the depth of his love for her in the pressure of his lips and the strength of his hands as he drew her forward. Surrendering to his arms, she was aware of a stirring inside her own heart. She had felt alone for most of her life, but now, enfolded in his arms, she felt something that she had longed for. She gave herself to him freely, enjoying the sense of belonging and protection she felt in his arms.

  The kiss was interrupted by the sound of footsteps, and they moved apart quickly, seeing that Aaron had appeared on the deck. He stopped abruptly, saying, “Oh—sorry!” He turned at once and quickly walked away, the sound of his footsteps echoing on the steel deck.

  Gail was embarrassed, and her face showed it, and David no less so. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you like this to speak my heart.”

  “It’s all right, David. I guess we’re entitled to one mistake.”

  “It was no mistake, at least not for me,” David said. “Do you think”—he asked deliberately, but with insistence in his fine eyes—”that you could ever learn to care for a man like me?”

  “I already care for you, David, but—”

  “But you’re not sure if it’s love?”

  “That’s right.” Gail moved to the rail and stared at the sea restlessly. “I don’t know much about love—nothing really! I never had boyfriends like most girls do, so I just don’t know.” Turning back toward him, she lifted her eyes and smiled. “I do know one thing, though. You’re the finest man I’ve ever known. I admire and respect you more than I thought I could respect a man. If that’s love, then I have it.”

  It was not the answer that Burns wanted to hear, but still hope grew in him. “Well, I’ll come courting properly after we get this war settled and all our patients are safely home.” A waggish thought came to him. He had a sprightly sense of humor beneath his rather staid exterior. “I think I’ll learn to play the guitar, then I can come and sing love songs under your window. Why, I even know one to start with.” He began to sing “The Girl I Left Behind Me” in a slightly off-key note.

  Gail suddenly giggled and put her hand over his mouth. “Perhaps you’d better just bring flowers,” she said. “That’d be better than your singing.” Then she said more soberly, “I’m honored that you would think of me in such a way, and I’m also flattered.” She hesitated, then smiled up at him. “Thank you, David!” Then she turned and left the deck.

  David stood there for a time, thoughts running through his mind. He leaned on the rail and stared into the white water and finally said aloud, “She’s a bonny girl—a bonny girl indeed!”

  ****

  The convoy plowed through the waters of the Atlantic, and on the eighth day of the voyage, the word spread around that the ships would dock the next day. Aaron went at once to tell Lewis. The two had spent long hours playing cards and checkers together, and now Aaron said, “We’ll be home tomorrow! I’ll be glad to get off this ship.”

  Lewis looked up at him. “So will I.” There was an apprehension in him, and Aaron understood that he was thinking of the reception he would get. He had gone out a healthy young man, and he was coming home in a wheelchair, perhaps forever.

  “I wish we hadn’t come on this trip,” Aaron burst out.

  “Because of this?” Lewis asked, indicating his legs.

  “Yes—because of that!” It was the most that Aaron had ever said, and there was an angry, resentful look in his face.

  Lewis said calmly, “God is able to heal me, I know that!” He saw the doubt in his brother’s countenance. “You don’t believe that now, but someday you will. I’ve been praying for you, Aaron, and so has Gail. She told me so.”

  Aaron flushed. He always felt guilty and uncertain when someone mentioned anything about God to him. He stayed for a few more minutes, then left and went up on deck. He had not seen Gail alone since he had encountered her kissing Burns, and he was confused at his own attitude. Now, he saw her as he made his way along the deck. His first inclination was to turn and go the other way, but suddenly a perverse spirit took him. “I can’t spend my life running away from her,” he said. “It’s her business what she and Burns do.” He tightened his jaw and walked up to her. “Hello, Gail!” he said.

  She turned to face him with an embarrassed smile, and he knew that she was thinking of his interruption.

  “How is Lewis today?”

  “As well as he ever is.”

  She could tell by the brevity of his reply that something was troubling him. “He mustn’t give up, Aaron! Men wounded worse than that have walked. David has told me about several cases.”

  “You’re telling me that it’ll take a miracle,” Aaron said. “Well, I don’t believe in miracles!”

  There was something in his voice that disturbed Gail Summers. She turned to him and saw that there was a glumness about him. She wondered if he had been disturbed by what he had seen between her and Burns. “I’m sorry that you feel that way,” she said. “I don’t think you will always. It could’ve been worse. I know that people always say that, but it really could—he could’ve been killed, Aaron. But there’s hope!”

  Aaron could think of no answer to that. He stood there quietly for a while, unable to speak. He glanced up ahead, as if seeking to discern the shores, but there was no land in sight. Suddenly, he turned to her and asked directly, “Are you involved with Burns?”

  A flush touched Gail’s cheeks and she did not answer at once. His eyes were on her, searching her, and she felt an emotion she could not identify. “I can’t answer that, Aaron. I don’t know much about love. I do know that he’s the kindest man I’ve ever met. Why do you ask?”

  Aaron regretted his impulse. “You’re right—he is a fine man!” He thought of this young girl’s background and what a hard life she had had. She deserves a man l
ike Burns, he thought. He turned to her and found a smile. “I just wanted to wish you well,” he said. “I’ve never told you, but I’ve always admired you. You’ve had a tough life, and you’ve come through it better than I would have, I think. Burns is a lucky fellow! Good-night!” He turned and walked away before Gail could answer.

  She raised her hand and her lips framed his name—but she said nothing, and when he disappeared, she turned and walked slowly along the deck.

  A tendril of wispy fog swept along the surface of the water, and then a cloud suddenly obscured the moon. She glanced up and waited until it passed, and as the silver beams fell on her face, there was a softness in her lips as she thought of the two men that she’d come to know—David and Aaron. She could not think clearly about it for a moment and finally dropped her head and continued along the deck.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Heroes Return

  William Randolph Hearst greeted the peace as jubilantly as he had welcomed the war. He was prepared to cover it as flamboyantly as he had the struggle on the island of the Caribbean. When he heard that the North Atlantic Squadron was returning, he was delighted. The Journal rolled off the presses urging everyone to make “Saturday a full holiday so all the people may see our victorious fleet.” New York spared nothing in rolling out the red carpet. The Journal arranged to fly an observation balloon over the city, marking the progress of the fleet. Showers of red, white, and blue confetti filled the air as thousands of people gathered in the streets.

  On board the Miami, Aaron had managed to maneuver Lewis’s wheelchair to a favorable observation point along the crowded rail. As the two looked out and spotted the balloon overhead, Lewis looked up and grinned. “Well, at least this one won’t bring shells down on us like that one did on the trail to Santiago.” He turned again and looked at the shore. The ships moved past Sandy Hook, then steamed into the harbor in a majestic column. Not just the fleet, but a virtual armada of some four hundred vessels—tugboats, ferries, fishing boats, and yachts—moved forward with everyone crowded and screaming at the top of their lungs. A chorus of whistles from scores of boats shrilled welcomes, and guns along the battery thundered volley after volley of salutes that were answered by the guns of the fleet.

  “I’ll never get over the sight of all this,” Aaron said. He pointed to the Statue of Liberty as they steamed by it and started up the Hudson River. The fleet stopped in front of Grant’s Tomb, where Hearst’s balloon continued to rain patriotic confetti down from the sky.

  As soon as the ship docked, a group of high-ranking officers from the army and the navy were waiting near the docks. The captain of the Miami came to Aaron, saying, “You and your brother go first. Come along—I’ll join you.”

  Lewis settled back in his chair with an odd look on his face. It was the moment he had long dreamed of—returning from a war as victor. But the moment was overshadowed. He wished the wheelchair had not been in the picture. He sat quietly as Aaron wheeled him along the deck of anxious soldiers waiting to be reunited with family. Then as the gangplank fell into place and they started down, he said, “Look! There’s Uncle Mark and the family!”

  Aaron looked up, and among the crowd of people waving, he spotted Mark Winslow and Lola, along with Esther. His eyes caught a movement on the wharf and he said, “And there’s Alice.”

  Lewis was startled and turned his head. Apprehension filled him as he wondered how they all would receive him. He stiffened in the chair as Aaron wheeled him onto the wharf, wishing at that moment that he was anywhere else in the world. He hated the helpless feeling that came from having to be pushed in the chair, but there was no avoiding it now.

  Suddenly, Alice was there bending over him, throwing her arms around his neck. He felt the touch of her lips on his and heard the thunderous cheer that went up from the crowd. He put his hands up and clung to her for a moment. Then she drew back, and he saw her eyes flashing with the excitement of it all.

  “You’re going to get a medal, isn’t it wonderful!” she exclaimed.

  Lewis was embarrassed at what happened next. A band broke out playing “The Star-Spangled Banner” while everyone stood, their heads uncovered and hands over their proud hearts. Then a general stepped forward, and after waiting for the crowd to quiet down, proceeded to make a speech. He came to stand before Lewis, and Lewis was so overwhelmed by what was happening he hardly heard what the officer said as he spoke. He felt the general’s touch and looked down to see a medal dangling from a ribbon. It’s the Congressional Medal of Honor! he thought in a daze and shook his head. “I don’t deserve this,” he mumbled, but his voice was drowned by the applause and cheers.

  There were so many people gathered at the wharf that it was almost impossible for the soldiers disembarking to go anywhere. The ceremony had as many speakers, and every politician had an important word to say about the glorious victory in Cuba. But finally, Mark and Lola made their way through the crowd and surrounded Aaron and Lewis. Lola bent down and put her arms around Lewis and whispered, “I’m taking you home right now!”

  Pushing and shoving their way through the crowd, they finally left the wharf. Lewis was helped into the carriage by Aaron and one of the members of the Rough Riders who had followed. When Lewis looked back, he saw that Alice had not followed. Her face was beaming at the thrill of it all as she stayed to hear more of the speeches.

  Catching his glance, Lola said, “Alice will be along later. She’s arranging some appearances for you.”

  Lewis gave her a miserable look. “I don’t want any appearances,” he said firmly. “All I want to do is get where there’s a little peace and quiet.”

  Lola exchanged a quick look with Aaron, understanding from the look in his face and the slight shake of the head that this was no time to argue. “Come along,” she said. “I can’t wait to start taking care of you two soldiers!”

  ****

  Burns walked along the hall of Baxter Hospital with Gail and Deborah on either side of him. As soon as they had left the dock, they had caught a cab and come straight to the hospital. The three could hardly wait to give their report to the administrator. He’d been at the celebration on the dock and had greeted them enthusiastically. “Well,” he said, “you’ve done a magnificent job in Cuba, but now I claim you back for Baxter.” He’d also given Gail and Deborah a warm welcome, assuring them they could have their same positions. “Both of you need to continue your studies,” he said. “You need to become full-fledged nurses.”

  Now as they walked along the old, familiar hall, Gail felt strange about the appearance of everything. “Everything’s so clean,” she said with wonder in her voice. “Was it always this clean?”

  Deborah turned to smile at her. “When you’ve been hot and wallowing in mud and filth for a while, I guess you see things a little differently.”

  “You’re right about that! It does look good, doesn’t it!” Burns turned into the small room used by the physicians, where they were greeted enthusiastically by their former coworkers. They spent the next hour answering the questions shot at them by the eager physicians. Dr. Burns had had to perform quite a few surgeries on wounded men without all the benefits of a hospital. The other doctors were curious and wanted to hear every detail about the procedures he had to use under less-than-desirable conditions.

  Gail finally slipped away, whispering to Deborah, “Tell Dr. Burns that I’ll see him tomorrow. I need to go home and see my family.”

  She left the hospital and at once made her way to Water Street. Strangely enough, after the heat and squalor of Cuba, even the deplorable conditions that she’d grown up in seemed relatively clean. It was not really clean, of course, and she marveled at how her experiences had changed her view of things. She ran up the three flights of stairs and knocked on the door. It opened almost at once, and her mother stood there for a moment; then the two women fell into each other’s arms. Martha held her daughter tightly and tears ran down her cheeks. “I’m so glad you’re home, Gail,” she said. “
I’ve thought of you every day and prayed for you and your friends.”

  “I could feel your prayers, Ma,” Gail said. She looked around quickly and said, “Jeb’s not here?” She saw the cloud fall over her mother’s face and asked quickly, “Is he still running with that crowd?”

  “Worse than ever. I hate to be the one to give you bad news, but I’m worried sick about him. He goes out and stays out all night sometimes. Nothing good is going to come of it.”

  “Doesn’t Pa say anything to him?”

  “He’s too sick to care much.” Martha Lawson glanced at the bedroom and said, “He’s much worse, Gail . . . I don’t think he’ll live much longer.”

  “Has he had another attack?”

  “Yes, two of them since you left. He’s practically bedridden now. But come in and see him.” She bit her lip and shook her head sadly. “I know he’s never been kind to you, Gail, but he’s so changed that you can’t help but pity him.”

  Gail went into the small bedroom and was shocked at the change in her stepfather. All of her life she had seen him as a big, burly man with rough strength who was never afraid of anything. Now, however, he looked frail. The color of his skin was pale and his face was gaunt and shrunken. When he saw her, he whispered her name. She went over to his bed and leaned over, kissed him and whispered, “I’m back, Pa! I’m sorry to see that you’re not feeling well.”

  Harry Lawson shook his head and licked his lips. It seemed to be an effort for him to speak, and his voice was raspy as he said, “I’ve . . . had it!” Fear filled his dull eyes, and he clung to her hand pitifully. Gail stood there talking to him as cheerfully as she could for a while. Finally, she said, “I have to leave now, Pa, but now that I’m back, I’ll come and visit you often. I want to tell you all about Cuba.”

  She turned and went out into the living room. Shaking her head she said, “I’m afraid you’re right, Ma. He looks awful!” They sat down at the table and the women began to talk. Gail spent the afternoon with her mother telling her about her time in Cuba. Then she went out to buy some groceries and helped her mother cook the evening meal.