Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1918-11-22
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CHAPTER xxI-continued.

had given you up. and now you are
mine to do with as 1 please. You be-
long TO me and sha'n't consult you"
She turned, for a figure had dark
ened the door; it was one of her Eng
lsh-speaking conyalescents who was
acting as sort of orderly.
"Senorita." the man said, with n
fash of white teeth, ''we have another
sick man, and you'd never guess who.
1t is that American, lei Demonio-"
ais he sick or wounded?" Esteban
inquired.
"Shot by Spanish bullet. He asked
at once for our senorita."
"Of course. III 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
Ipease," she said; then she fed down
the grassy street.
Branch was waiting at NOrine's
quarters, a 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.
Hello. Norine!" he cried. "Wen,
they got me-
Norine paused in establishment.
"Why, Leslie! I was so frightened
But-you can't be badly hurt"
bad enough SO that Lopez sent me
in. A fellow gets fIyblown if he stays
in the field so / beat it,"
"Has your arm been dressed"
NO I wouldn't let these rough-and-
tumble doctors touch it. They'd ampu-
tate at the shoulder for hangnail.
don't trust EN-"
"Then III look at IT,"
at doesn't hurt, really" he declared.
"Ifs only q scratch"
"Then behave yourself" Norine
forced the patient into a chair and
withdrew his arm from the sling.
Then, despite his weak resistance, she
deftly removed the bandage. From
his expression she felt sure that she
must be hurting him. but when the
s1jury was exposed she looked up in
wonderment.
the world"
Branch struggled with himself, he
swallowed hard, then said: "You can
see now why l didn't go to a doctor; I
did it-shot myself. You won't give
me away?"
Norne seated herself weakly; she
stared in bewilderment at the unhappy
speaker. afraid? You, FL Demoniol
Why, you aren't afraid Of anything!"
SAY You don't believe all that
stnff, do you? I'm afraid of ny shadow
and always have been. I'm not brave
and never was. They told me l was
going to die and it scared me so that
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 all the
time and I never got over it. Why,
the sight of a gun gives me chill, and
jump every time one goes off. Lord
how I've suffered! / went crazy at our
hrst enga gement--craZy with fear. I
didn't know where | was or what hap
pened, or anything. Afterward whe:l
they hailed me as a hero, / thought
they were kidding. that everybody
must know how frightened l was.
After time saw that I'd fooled them,
and that shamed me. Then--I had to
Keep it up or become ridiculous. But
1t nearly killed me-"
1t so happened that the president
aad well-nigh the entire provisional
cabinet We're in Cubitas. Leslie and
Norine went directly to the former. He
promptly sent for the minister of jus
uce who in turn calamity put himself
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 iato Esteban's
cabin leaving Branch to wait outside.
AT sight of her Esteban uttered a
low cry Of happiness. 'Dearesi I've
Teen lying in stupor of delight The
world has become bright. I hear peo-
pie laughing. What a changel"
I've arranged everything The pres
0ent and his cabinet are coming to
witness the ceremony.'
EsFeban poised upon his elbow, his
Iaee was a study. "What have you AZ
fanged?' he managed to inquire.
Sa-h!" Norine laid a finger upon
ms Eps. 'The guest of the republic is
" De married today"
Norine! Oh, my dear" quavered
.le SICK man. Il can't let you DO this
'lao thing. Think I'm ready for the
grave"
This Will make you well. We're go
~ ~ away when the very next expedi-
uoA arrives"
haven't the strength to refuse"
'eoan murInured. "And yet, now
~ eu / leave Cuba? What right have /
accept happiness and leave Rosa"
lbs was a subject which Norine
''aec question to which she knew
answer. She was not in a mood TO
it, and made no attempt to do
*