The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-08-22


harebrained exploit which delights a
Cuban audience. When Leslie re-
Joined his comrades, therefore, he was
greeted with shouts and cheers.
"Caramba He would risk his life
for clean shirt. There's a fell
low for you'll BE enjoys the hum Of
these Spanish beesl BravOi
Tell US what the bullets said to you,"
they cried, crowding around him in an
admiring circle.
O'Reilly. unable TO contain himself.
burst forth in a rage: Lopez ought to
court-martial you.'
Infatuated, he rode over to where
Captain JudsOn was engaged in max
ing litter upon which to carry the
sick prisoner they had rescued from
the Jail. This chap here is all H."
said Judson. "I'm afraid we aren't go
ing to get him through"
Following Judson's glance, O'Reilly
beheld an emaeiated figure lying in the
shade of a nearby guava bush. The
man was clad in filthy rags, his face
was dirty and overgrown with a
months beard; pair of restless eyes
stared unblinkingly at the brazen sky.
His lips were moving; from them is
sued a steady patter of words, but 9th
erwise he showed no sign OF life.
''You said he was starving" Johnnie
dismounted and lent Judson a hand
with his task.
That's what I thought at first, but
dungeon fever. We can swing him be-
tween our horses, and"
Judson looked up to discover that
Johnnie was poised rigidIy, his mouth
open, his hands halted in midair. The
sick mans voice had risen, and O'Reil-
", with a peculiar expression of
amazement upon his face, was strain
ing his ears to hear what he said.
''Eh? What's the matter?" Judson
inquired.
For a moment O'ReilIy remained
frozen in his attitude, then without
word he strobe to the sufferer. He bent
forward, staring into the vacant, up
turned face. A cry burst from his
throat, a cry that was like a sob, and,
kneeIing, he gathered the frail, filthy
figure into his arms.
"Esteban - he cried. ''Esteban! This
is O'ReiIly. O'Rail-yel Don't you know
me? O'Reilly. your friend. your broth
er! For Gods sake, tell me what
they've done TO you! Look at me, Es-
teban Look at me! Look at mel oh,
Estebanl"
Such eagerness. such thankfulness,
such passionate pity were in his
friends hoarse voice that Judson drew
closer. He noticed that the faintest
flame of reason f1ickered for an instant
in the sick mans hollow eyes; then
they began to rove again, and the same
rustling whisper recommended. O'Reil-
ly held the boy tenderly in his arms;
tears rolled down his cheeks as he i'm
plOred Esteban to hear and tC heed
him.
'Try to hear mel Tryl' There was
fierce agony in the cry. 'Where is
Rosa? Rosa? You're
safe now; you can tell me.
You're safe with O'ReilIy.
came back came back for you
and Rosa. . Where is she? =
Is she-dead?'
Other men were assembling now.
The column was ready to move, but
Judson signaled to Colonel Lopez and
made known the identity of the sick
stranger. The colonel came forward
swiftly and laid a hand upon O'Reil-
ly's shoulder, saying:
'SoI You were right, after all. Es-
teban Varona didn't die. God must
have sent US to San Antonio to deliver
him.
Hes sick, siek,p O'ReiIy said.
huskily. Those Spaniards! Look
what they've done TO him." His voice
changed. He cried, f1ercely: well,
I'm late again. I'm always just little
bit too late. He'll die before he can
tell me-
"Waitl Take hold of yourself. Well
do all that can be done TO save him.
Now come, we must be going, or all
San Antonio will be upon u.s."
O'Reilly reused. Put him In my
arms" ne ordered. ''Pn carry him to
camp myself
But Lopez shook his head, saying,
gently: Its a long march, and the
litter would be better for him. Thank
heaven we have an angel of mercy
awaiting US, and she will know how to
make him we'll"
When the troop resumed its retreat
Esteban Varona lay suspended upon a
swinging bed between O'ReiIly and
Judson's horses. Although they car
ried him as carefully as they could
throughout that long hot journey, he
never ceased his babbling and never
awoke to his surroundings.
CHAPTER XIV.
Norine Takes Charge.
lriI u