Lieutenant Charles Langton straightened the cuff on his jacket one last time in the mirror. Although he was not wearing a uniform, having recently resigned his commission, he still felt the need to dress with the appropriate military precision. He was to meet Reginald, his longtime friend and fellow officer, to discuss the business proposition Reginald had been conjuring up. Over the last year the two had corresponded via letter and now with Reginald finally returning from China, in the aftermath of the Boxer Rebellion, they could put their plans in motion, and seek their own fortunes. Having spent all his adult live in the army, it was a big change for him and caused Charles to reflect on the past as he studied himself (for the first time in years, not in uniform) in the mirror.
When first joining the Kings Rifle Regiment the two young men had been taken under the wing of their commanding officer, Major Dunford. He had seen in the two what was lacking in many young men in the many of the British Infantry Regiments, courage, determination and dedication to their country and unit. Reginald like most officers was from well off gentry and had purchased his commission, while Charles would receive a field commission later, due to his actions that had saved the lives of many senior officers including Major Dunford. Until then Lieutenant Langton had just been Sergeant Langton, a senior noncommissioned officer in Reginald’s unit and his subordinate. That disparity in their rank had not dampened the friendship that had started when the two boys, one rich and the other from a normal working class family, had secretly played at being soldiers while growing up. They had joined the army together and Reginald had used his influence to ensure that Charles was always stationed with him.
These thoughts were tempered by the sad memory of what had caused the two to become separated over a year ago. The two had been inseparable and had created quite the reputation as fine officers and gentlemen. That had however changed a few years back when Charles had been called back to England to attend the funeral of Major Dunford, while Reginald served as a senior liaison, with the rising unrest in Peking. The Major, who had survived his fair share of battles, had fallen from a horse only weeks after he had married his young fiancé. Both Charles and Reginald had attending the wedding and had days later shipped to Europe for their next assignment. It would be the last time they would see each other, when Charles returned to England and Reginald was forced to stay on to help fulfill the Majors duties.
Now almost a year later, Reginald had returned to London so the two friends could pursue their dream of a business. It was thus with a new hope for the future and with the sad memories of the past banished, that Charles Langton exited his apartment and headed to the private offices that his friend had only that day purchased. He looked excitedly at the key that he had been sent via a delivery boy, knowing that it would open the doors to a new exciting life. It was mid-evening and the streets were quiet for a change when Charles approached the business district.
When first joining the Kings Rifle Regiment the two young men had been taken under the wing of their commanding officer, Major Dunford. He had seen in the two what was lacking in many young men in the many of the British Infantry Regiments, courage, determination and dedication to their country and unit. Reginald like most officers was from well off gentry and had purchased his commission, while Charles would receive a field commission later, due to his actions that had saved the lives of many senior officers including Major Dunford. Until then Lieutenant Langton had just been Sergeant Langton, a senior noncommissioned officer in Reginald’s unit and his subordinate. That disparity in their rank had not dampened the friendship that had started when the two boys, one rich and the other from a normal working class family, had secretly played at being soldiers while growing up. They had joined the army together and Reginald had used his influence to ensure that Charles was always stationed with him.
These thoughts were tempered by the sad memory of what had caused the two to become separated over a year ago. The two had been inseparable and had created quite the reputation as fine officers and gentlemen. That had however changed a few years back when Charles had been called back to England to attend the funeral of Major Dunford, while Reginald served as a senior liaison, with the rising unrest in Peking. The Major, who had survived his fair share of battles, had fallen from a horse only weeks after he had married his young fiancé. Both Charles and Reginald had attending the wedding and had days later shipped to Europe for their next assignment. It would be the last time they would see each other, when Charles returned to England and Reginald was forced to stay on to help fulfill the Majors duties.
Now almost a year later, Reginald had returned to London so the two friends could pursue their dream of a business. It was thus with a new hope for the future and with the sad memories of the past banished, that Charles Langton exited his apartment and headed to the private offices that his friend had only that day purchased. He looked excitedly at the key that he had been sent via a delivery boy, knowing that it would open the doors to a new exciting life. It was mid-evening and the streets were quiet for a change when Charles approached the business district.
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