Mexico Missouri message., 1918-06-06
CHAPTER VIi-continued.

"Bittersl And asked for yellow
1 glass of agwa with yellow" Branchs
Toice shook. "Tm dying of fever,
and this ivory-billed toucan brings me
4 quart of poison. Bulletsl" 1t was
impossible to describe the suggestion
sf profanity with which the speaker
sOlored this Innocuous expletive. weak
Is | am, shall gnaw his windpipe."
9e barred his teeth suggestlvely and
aised two talOnlike hands.
The waiter was puzzled but not
Harmed. He embraced himself as his
mstomer had done, and shuddered;
hen pointing at the bltters, he nodded
IncOuraglngly.
O'ReIlly forestalled an outburst by
ranslating his countryman's wants.
'Un vase de aqua con hlelo," said he,
nd the attendant was all apologies.
$50 you speak the lingo?" marveled
Or. Branch. "Well, l can't get the
lang Of It, Don't like It. Don't like
anything Spanish. H of country
sn't itf-where the Ice is yellow and
ne butter is meant to kill you and
IOes."
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 insurrectlon,
put the Spaniards won't let me. They
edit my stuff to suit themselves. I'm
getting tired of the farce"
"Going hOme2"
Don't dare" The speaker tapped
his concave chest. "Bum lungs.
came down here to shuttle off, and I'm
waiting for 1t to happen. What brings
you to CubaT
I'm here for my health, too" The
real invalid stared. II have rheuma-
tism."
"Going to sweat it out, eh7 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-
lake about that hospital bark, is
there" When he had regained his
breath he said: "See here! I'm going
to take chance with you, for l like
your looks. My newspaper work Is a
blufr don't send enough stuff to keep
me alive. came here to cure my
lungs, and-I want you to help me
do It."
0'Reilly stared at the man In sur.
prise. How can l help your" he
asked.
''By taking me with you"
"With me? Where?"
''To the insurrectos, of course"
The men eyed each other fixedly
-What makes you think" ORellly
began.
"Oh, don't say 1t! I've got a hunch
/ 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 cam
swallow that rheumatism talk.
thought you might give me lift. Take
me along will your"
"And how would that benefit youl
cOugh?" Johnnie inquired curlOusly
Mr. Branch hesitated. "Well, I'll tel
you" he said. after a moment. 'Tn
afraid to die this way, by inches, ant
hours I'm scared to DEATH" 1t seemed
impossible that the sick mans cheeks
could further blanch, but they became
fairly livid while a beading Of mOis
tuPe appeared upon his upper lip
"Heaven You've no idea how II geti
on a fellows nerves to see himself
sllpping-sllpplng. I'd like to end 4
suddenly, like thatp He voiced th'
last sentence abruptly and snapped hil
fingers. "Then, too, I'd like to have {
thrill before l cash in--taste the sal
of life,' as somebody expressed II
That's war. It's the biggest game II
the world. What do you think of thu
tdeaT
mot much" o'Reilly said honestly
Difference In temperament sup
pose II is a sick fancy but I've got II
Tn rotten coward, but I'll fight 4
the Cubans win take me-"
"Where are the CubansT
"Oh, they're out yonder in the hills
know all about 'eIn. Come over t