The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-07-11
CHAPTER vli-Continued.

OKellly read the laDei. IT'S Dit-
tsrs." said he.
"Bittersi And I asked for yellow
. glass OF agwa with yellow" Branch's
voice shook. 'Tm dying Of a fever,
and this ivory-billed toucan brings me
q quart Of poison. BulletsI" 1t was
impossible to describe the suggestion
of profanity with which the speaker
colored this innocuous expletive. "weak
as I am, I shall snaw his windpipe."
He barred his teeth suggestively and
raised two talonlike hands.
The waiter was puzzled but not
alarmed. He embraced himself as his
customer had done. and shuddered |;
then pointing ut the bitters, he nodded
encousngingly.
O'Reiliy forestalled an outburst by
translating his countryman's wants.
"Un sNso de aqua con hielo." said he,
and the attendant was all apologies.
$50 you speak the lingof" marveled
Mr.. Branch. swell. can't get, the
hang Of II. Don't like It. Don't like
anything Spanish. HI OF a country.
Isn't it1--where the Ice Is yellow and
the butter Is meant to kill you.' and
does"
O'Reilly laughed. "You've been
studying a guide book. with complete
glossary Of Spanish phrases
Mr.. Branch nodded listlessly. "Tm
supposed to report this insurrection.
but the Spaniards won't let me. They
edit my stun to suit themselves. I'm
getting tired Of the farce"
"Going homer"
Don't dare" The speaker tapped
his concave chest. Bum lungs. l
came down here to shuttle OF. and I'm
waiting for 1t to happen. What brings
you to Cubaf'
"rm here for my health, too" The
real invalid stared. II have rheuma-
tism."
"Going to sweat II out. eh1 Well,
there's nothing to do but sweat
Branch was racked by coughing
epasm that shook his reedy frame
''sweat and cough. Bulletsl No mis-
take about that hospital bark. Is
theref" When he had regained his
breath he said: "See herei I'm going
to take a chance with you. for like
your looks. My newspaper work is a
bluff; don't send enough stun to keep
me alive. came here to cure my
lungs. and-I want you to help me
do It,"
O'Reilly stared at the man In sur
prise. "How can help your" he
asked.
'By taking me with you"
"With mel WhereT
ITO the insurrectos, of course"
The men eyed each other fixedly.
"What makes you think" O'Reilly
began.
"Oh, don't say III I've got hunch |!
don't know what your game is
probably dynamite: there's story
that the rebels have sent for some
American experts TO teach them how
to use the stun. and God knows they
need instruction! Anyhow, l can't
swallow that rheumatism talk. !
thought you might give me lift. Take
me along, will your"
"And how would that benefit your
coughT Johnnie inquired curiousy.
Mr.. Branch hesitated. swell, I'll tell
you," he said, after a moment. "Im
afraid to die this way. by inches, and
hours. I'm scared to DEATH" II seemed
impossible that the sick mans cheeks
could further blanch, but they became
fairly livid. while a beading OF mois-
ture appeared upon his upper lip.
Heaven! You've no idea how It gets
on fellows nerves to see himself
slipping-slipping. I'd like to end II
suddenly, like thatw He voiced the
last sentence abruptly and snapped his
fingers. ''Then, too, I'd like to have a
thrill before cash in-taste the salt
of life. as somebody expressed II.
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 II is a sick fancy. but I've got It.
I'm a rotten coward. but I'll fight II
the Cubans will take me-"
"Where are the Cubansr
"Oh. they're out yonder In the hills.
know ~ about 'em. Come over to