The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-10-10
CHAPTER xxI-continued.

brought you back when you were all
but gone. 1 saved you after the others
had given you up, and now you are
mine to do with as I please. You be-
long to me and I sha'n't consult you"
She turned. for a figure had dark
ened the door; it was one Of her Eng
disappearing convalescents who was
acting as sort of orderly.
"Senorita," the man said, with
fash of white teeth. 1--WE have another
sick man, and you'd never guess who.
1t is that American, FL DemOniO-"
els he sick or wOunded?" Esteban
inquired
"Shot by Spanish bullet. He asked
at once for 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
I please" she said; then she fed down
the grassy street.
Branch was waiting at NOrine's
quarters, q soiled figure of detection.
His left arm lay in a sling across his
breast. He looked up at her approach,
but she scarcely recognized him, SO
greatly changed was he.
''HeIlo. Norine!" he cried. "Wen.
they got me-"
Norine paused in establishment
"'Why. Leslie! 1 was so frightened
But-you can't be badly hurt"
"Bad enough so that Lopez sent me
In. a fellow gets f1ybIown if he stays
in the field. SO I beat it."
"Has your arm been dressed?"
mo. I wouldn't let these rOugh-and-
tumble doctors touch it. They'd ampu-
tate at the shoulder for a hangnail. I
don't trust EN-"
'aThen I'll look at it."
'sIt doesn't hurt, really" he declared.
ats only scratch"
'@Then behave yourself" Norine
forced the patient into a chair and
withdrew his arm from the sling.
Then, despite his weak resistance, she
deity removed the bandage. From
his expression she felt sure that she
must be hurting him, but when the
Injury was exposed she looked W in
wonderment.
'Leslie!'' she exclaimed. "What in
the world"
Branch struggled with himself, he
swallowed hard, then said: "You can
see now why didn't go to doctor;
did it-shot myself. You won't give
me away?"
Norine seated herself weakly; she
stared In bewilderment at the unhappy
speaker. Afraid? You, Ell Demonfo !
Why. you aren't afraid Of anything 70
"Sayi 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 was
going to die and it scared me so that
tried to end things quickly. 1
couldn't bear to die slowly, to know
that I was dying by inches. But. Lord !
1t scared me even worse to go into
battle. I was blind with fright all the
time and 1 never got over it. Why,
the sight of gun gives me chill, and
I jump every time one goes off. Lord !
how I've suffered! went crazy at our
first engagement-crazy with fear. /
didn't know where was, or what hap
pened, or anything. Afterward, when
they hailed me as a hero, I thought
they were kidding, that everybody
must know how frightened I was.
After time saw that I'd fooled them
and that shamed me. Them had to
keep 1t up or become ridiculous. But
1t nearly killed me-"
It so happened that the president
and well-nigh the entire provisional
cabinet were in Cubitas. Leslie and
Norine went directly to the former. He
promptly sent for the minister of jus
tice, who in turn CALAMITY put himsel1
at Norine's disposal. In no time the
news had spread and there was sub
dued excitement throughout the camp
Norine was between tears and laughter
when she ran painting into Esteban':
cabin, leaving Branch to wait outside.
At sight of her Esteban uttered .
low cry of happiness. DEAREST Pv,
been lying in a stupor of delight. TIL,
world has become bright. 1 hear PEG
pie laughing. What changer
'Pve arranged everything! The pres
ident and his cabinet are coming t,
witness the ceremony"
Esteban poised upon his elbow, hi
face was study. what have you ar
ranged?" ne managed to inquire
"Sh-h!'' Norine laid a finger upol
his lips. 1.-THE guest of the republic i
20 be married today"
''Norine! Oh. my dear" quaveret
the sick man. AZ can't let you do thi
mad thing. Think! I'm ready for tn
grave
"This will make you we'll. We're GO
ing away when the very next expedi
ton arrives"
81 haven't the strength to refuse,
Esteban murmured. "And yet, hoy
can I leave Cuba? What right have
to accept happiness and leave Rosa
This was a subject which Norm
dreaded, question 20 which she kneN
no answer. She was not in a mood t
discuss it. and made no attempt to d
so. Instead, she laid the invalid upo
his pillow, saying:
Leslie is waiting to wish you 10
and quick recovery. May I ask hir
inn"
She stepped to the door, only to b,
hold her late companion making O
down the village street in great hast
and evident excitement. Approachfu
between the drunken rows of gras
huts was little knot of people Eve
6s Norine watched 1T grew into col
siderable crowd, for men and wome
and children came hurrying from the