“Captain, captain, what are you saying, what do you mean?” cried Ralph in excitement. “Why is it illegal? Do you mean I may hope for reinstatement?”
“Hope?” said Captain Waddell. “Ralph, I tell you your dismissal is utterly illegal and I shall have no trouble whatever in having that court martial and all that pertains to it declared void.”
This was too much for the lad who had nobly borne up in his grief; he was not prepared for the joy that now overwhelmed him, and he broke down completely with sobbing happiness. Captain Waddell, grim visaged veteran that he was, became affected by Ralph’s emotion. Ralph never thought of questioning the captain’s statement; it entered into his heart naturally that his friend knew exactly what he was talking about and Ralph had entire belief in his words.
“Now, Ralph,” said the captain, “I’m not going to tell you anything more, nor why your sentence is illegal and won’t stand. I’ve told you this much to dispel the woe that had enthralled your soul. You’ll go to Washington with me this afternoon and we’ll find a boarding-place for you till this matter is settled. I don’t want that friend of yours, Short, to know where you are nor what you’re doing. You tell me he’s a millionaire or supposed to be. It may take six weeks or two months to get the decision reinstating you, and I don’t wish anybody to have any idea of what you or I are doing.”
Ralph’s face fell. “I haven’t enough money to pay my board for six weeks, captain,” he faltered; “I have barely enough to pay my railway fare to Toledo.”
“I saw your Uncle George yesterday,” said Captain Waddell, “and showed him your letter. He is much disturbed about you and gave me two hundred dollars to give to you. Here it is. This is a large amount of money to your uncle, but he is a very generous good man. When you get restored you will receive back pay and can return it to him.”
“My Uncle George!” exclaimed Ralph. “Am I never to see or know this good uncle? Can I not go to New York to see him, captain?”
Ralph’s heart overflowed with love for this dear uncle whom he had never known, and whose helpful affection was flowing into the channel of his own life.
“Won’t you tell me about my Uncle George, Captain Waddell? Can’t I see him? Now that my dear father is dead Uncle George is my nearest relation. Why don’t I know him better? Why do I hear from him so seldom?”
“All in good time, Ralph. Your uncle is a splendid man; he has my entire respect. But he left for England this morning to be gone several months. You may write to him care of my address; his own is uncertain. But I promise you one thing, your Uncle George and I will be here a year from now to see you graduate at the head of your class.”