“Maybe when she sent Gebauer off about his business he got miffed and spread the report himself, just to get square with her. And for all I know, Nat Poole may have had a hand in it, too.”
“If he did he ought to have a good pounding for it!” The senator’s son thought for a moment. “I’ll tell you what I can do, Dave. I can write to Laura and tell her what Nat Poole said, and then she and Jessie can fix up some scheme whereby they can let folks in Crumville know that there is nothing in the rumor.”
“Yes, that might help some,” and Dave’s face brightened a little. A letter was written that very night by the senator’s son and posted without delay.
Captain Obray was glad to see Dave back again, and praised him once more for what he had done.
“As you know, Sergeant Porter, you have already been cited for bravery for what you did for me and others during that battle,” said the captain of the engineers. “In a few days I hope to be able to announce something that will, I am sure, please you very much.”
Two days later came the announcement, which filled Dave with great pleasure. The engineers were reviewed by one of the army generals, and Dave, with a number of others, was asked to step forward, and then upon the breast of the young sergeant was pinned a Distinguished Service Medal—a round bronze disk bearing upon it an American eagle. The disk rested on a ribbon having a white center with a narrow blue stripe on each side and with red stripes at the ends. It may be mentioned here that the Distinguished Service Medals are authorized by our President for distinguished services in the present war.
“Dave, we’ve got to congratulate you,” said Roger warmly, after the review had come to an end and he and some of the other engineers had come around to gaze at the medal and admire it. “That is something you can wear for the rest of your life with a great deal of pride.”
“I’m hoping to see each of you fellows get one of these before the war is over,” answered the young sergeant. “I don’t know but what some of you deserve them already.”
Upon the breast of the young sergeant was pinned a Distinguished Service Medal.—Page [132].