The Kadoka press and Kadoka reporter. [volume] (Kadoka, S.D.) 1910-1923, 1918-09-13
CHAPTER xxi-Continued.

Norine rose, her face aglow with
new strength, new determination. Il
brought you back when you were all
but gone | saved you after the others
had given you up, and now you are
mine TO do with as ] please. You be-
long TO me and sha'n't consult you
She turned. for figure had dark
ened the door; II was one Of her Eng
disappearing convalescents who was
acting as sort OF orderly.
"Senorita." the man said with a
fash OF white teeth, we have another
sick mar. and you'd never guess who.
II Is that American III DemonIo-"
"Is he sick or wounded?' ESteban
inquired
"Sho, by a Spanish bullet He asked
az once Tor our Senorita.'
"Of course. I'll come in an instant"
when the messenger had gone Norine
bent and pressed her lips to Esteban's.
Remember, you're mine TO do with as
Iplease," she said then she fed down
the grassy street.
Branch was waiting at NOrlne's
quarters, solled figure Of detection.
His left arm lay In sling across his
breast. He looked up at her approach,
but she scarcely recognized him, so
greatly changed was he.
"Hello, Norine!'" he cried. "Well,
they got me-"
Norine paused in astonishment.
"Why, Leslie! / was so frightened !
But-you can't be badly hurt"
bad enough so that Lopez sent me
in. A fellow gets fyblown II he stays
IN the field. so | beat It."
"Has your arm been dressedr
mo. wouldn't let these rOugh-and-
tumble doctors touch It. They'd ampu-
tnte at the shoulder for hangnail. /
don't trust EN-"
"Then I'll look at It."
1T doesn't hurt, really" he declared.
"It's only n scratch"
"sThen behave yourself" Norine
'orced the patient into chair and
withdrew his arm from the sling.
Then, despite his weak resistance, she
heftly removed the bandage. From
his expression she felt sure that she
must be hurting him, but when the
injury was exposed she looked up in
wonderment.
'Ieslie!" she exclaimed. "What In
the world"
Branch struggled with himself, he
swallowed hard, then said: "You can
see now why DIDN'T go to a doctor;
did it-shot myself. You won't give
me away?"
Norine seated herself weakly; she
stared In bewilderment ut the unhappy
speaker. afraid? You, El Demonio
why. you aren't afraid Of anything! {!
"Sayl You don't believe all that
stuff, do you? I'm afraid OF my shadow
and always have been. I'm not brave
and never was. They told me I was
going TO die and II scared me so thai
tried to end things quickly.
couldn't bear to die slowly, to know
that was dying by inches. But, Lord
It scared me even worse to go into
battle. was blind with fright oil the
time and / never got over 1t. Why
the sight of gun gives me chill. ant
Jump every time one goes off. Lord
how I've suffered! / went crazy at ou
first engagement-crazy with fear.
didn't know where was, or what hap
2ened, or anything. Afterward, whei
they hailed me as hero, l though
they were kidding, that everybod
must know how frightened l was
After a time saw that I'd fooled them
and that shamed me. Then-I had I
keep II up or become ridiculous. Blu
1t nearly killed me-"
1t so happened that the presiden
cabinet were In Cubitas. Leslie an
Norine went directly to the former. Fl
promptly sent for the minister of ju.
tice, who In turn calamity put himse
at Norine's disposal. In no time tn
news had spread and there was sui
aued excitement throughout the cam
Norine was between tears and Taught,
when she ran painting into Esteban
cabin, leaving Branch to wait outside
At sight of her Esteban uttered
low cry Of happiness. Dearest! T.
been lying In a stupor OF delight. II
world has become bright. hear pc
pie laughing. What a changew
''Tve arranged everything The pr,
ldent and his cabinet are coming
witness the ceremony"
Esteban poised upon his elbow,
face was study. "What have you
rangedT he managed to Inquire.
"Sh-hw Norine laid finger up
bis lips. "The guest Of the republic
10 be married today"
"Norine! oh. my dear" quaver
the sick man. II can't let you do {
mad thing. Think! I'm ready for
grave"
'"rhis will make you well. We're
Ing away when the very next expe
tion arrives"
II haven't the strength to refus
Esteban murmured. "And yet, h
can leave Cuba? What right hav
to accept happiness and leave Rosa
This was subject which Nor
dreaded. question to which she kn
no answer. She was not In mood
discuss II, and made no attempt to
so. Instead, she laid the invalid uI
his pillow. saying: