The Monticellonian., 1918-06-21
CHAPTER Vii-Continued.

0Reilly read the label. ITS bit
ters" said he
"Bitters And | asked for yellow
glass of agwa with yellow" Branch's
voice shook I'm dying of a fever.
and this iyory-billed toucan brings me
a quart of poison. Bullets" 1t was
impossible to describe the suggestion
of profanity with which the speaker
coiored this innocuous eXpletive. Weak
as l am. | shall gnaw his windpipe.
He barred his teeth suggestiyely ana
raised two talonike hands.
The waiter was puzzled but not
alarmed He embraced himself as his
customer had done, and shuddered ;
then pointing at the bitters he nodded
encouragingly.
O'Relly forestalled an outburst by
translating his countryman's wants.
"Un vase de aqua con hielo." said he,
and the attendant was all apologies.
$50 you speak the lingo?' maryeled
Mr. Branch. "Well. | can't get the
hang of it. Don't like it. Don't like
anything Spanish. H of country,
the butter is meant to kill YOU and
does
O'Reilly laughed you've been
studying guide book, with complete
glossary of Spanish phrases
Mr. Branch nodded listlessly. I'm
Supposed to report this instruction,
buS the Spaniards won't let me. They
edit my stuff to suit themselves. I'm
getting tired of the farce"
Going homer"
Don't dare The speaker tapped
his concave chest. Bum lungs.
came down here to shuttle off, and I'm
waiting for it to happen. What brings
you to CubaY"
I'm here for my health, too" The
real invalid stared. 81 have rheuma-
tism."
"Going to sweat 1t out, eh? Well,
there's nothing TO do but sweat
Branch was racked by a coughing
spaSm that shook his reedy frame
"sweat and cough. Bullets No mis-
take about that hospital bark, is
thereY When he had regained his
breath he said: "See here I'm going
to take chance with you, for | like
your looks My newspaper work is a
bluff don't send enough stuff to keep
me alive l came here to cure my
lungs. and-I want you to help me
do it,"
O'Reily stared at the man in sur
prise. "How can l help your" he
asked.
"By taking me with you
with me? Where?"
ITO the insurrectos, of course"
The men eyed each other fixedly.
"What makes you think" O'Reilly
began.
.Oh. don't say 1t I've got bunch !!
l don't know what your game is
probably dynamite: there's a story
that the rebels have sent for some
American experts to teach them how
to use the stuff, and God knows they
need instruction! Anyhow, l can't
swallow that rheumatism talk. l
thought you might give me lift. Take
me along. will you?"
And how would tnat DeDent your
cough?" Johnnie inquired curiously.
Mr.. Branch hesitated. "Well, I'll tell
YOU" he said, after II moment. I'm
afraid to die this way, by inches. and
hours. I'm scared to DEATH" 1t seemed
impossible that the sick mans cheeks
could further blanch, but they became
fairly liyid, while beading of mois-
ture appeared upon his upper lip.
Heaven! You've no idea how it gets
on a fellows nerves to see himself
slipping-slipping. I'd like to end it
suddenly, like that!" He voiced the
last sentence abruptly and snapped his
fingers. "Then, too, I'd like to have
thrill before | cash in-taste the salt
of life as somebody expressed it.
That's war. It's the biggest game in
the world. What do you think of the
idea?'
"Not much" OReilly said honestly.
difference in temperament. | sup
pose it is a sick fancy, but I've got it.
I'm rotten coward, but I'll fight if
the Cubans will take me"
"Where are tie Cubans?"
"Oh, they're out yonder in the hills.
/ know all about 'em. Come over to
my quarters, aud I'll show you a map,
if you're interested"
Il am" said O'Reilly and, rising, he
followed his new acquaintance.