The Monticellonian., 1918-09-20
CHAPTER xxI-continued.

long to me and I sha'n't consult you"
 She turned for q figure had dark ened the door; 1t was one of her Eng hsh-speaking eonvalescents who was acting as a sort of orderly.
 'Sen0rita," the man said, with q flash of white teeth, i've have another sick man, and you'd never guess who. It is that American, Fl Demonio-"
 ''Is he sick or wounded?" Esteban inquired
 Shot by Spanish bullet. He asked at once for our senorita"
 "0f 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 please" she said; then she fled down the grassy street.
 Branch was waiting at Norine's quarters, soiled figure of dejection. His left arm lay in n sling across his breast. He looked up at her approach, but she scarcely recognized him, so greatly changed was he.
 Hello, Norine!" he cried. "Well, they got me"
 Norine paused in astonishment. ''Why. Leslie! was so frightened But-you can't be badly hurt"
 Bad enough so that Lopez sent me in. X fellow gets flyblown if he stays In the field. so I beat it.n
 "Has your arm been dressed?n
 No. I wouldn't let these rough-and- tumble doctors touch 1t. They'd ampu- tate at the shoulder for a hangnail. I don't trust 'em."
 "Then I'll look at It."
 Tt doesn't hurt, really" he declared. "It's only a scratch"
 'Then behave yourself" Norine forced the patient into 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 injury was exposed she looked uk in wonderment.
 "Leslie!" she exclaimed What in the world-n
 Branch struggled with himself, he swallowed hard, then said: "You can see now why I didn't go to doctor; I did it-shot myself. You won't give me awayF
 Norine seated herself weakly: she stared in bewilderment at the unhappy speaker. Afraid? You. Fl Demonio! Why. you aren't afraid of anything !"
 Say You don't believe all that stuff. dc you? Pm afraid of my shadow and always have been. I'm not brave and never was. They told me I was going to die and it scared me so that l tried to end things quickly. I couldn't bear to die slowly. to know that I was dying by inches. But. Lord if scared me even worse to go into battle. was blind with fright all the time and l 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 l went crazy at our first engagement-erazy with fear. I didn't know where I was. or what hap pened or anything. Afterward when they hailed me as a hero. l thought they were kidding, that everybody must know how frightened I was. After time saw that I'd fooled them. and that shamed me. Then had to keep it up or become ridiculous. But it 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 gallantly 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 panting into Esteban's cabin, leaving Branch to wait outside.
 At sight of her Esteban uttered a low cry of happiness. "Dearestl I've been lying In a stupor of delight. The world has become bright. I hear peo- pie laughing. What ehange"
 Eve arranged everything The pres ident and his cabinet are coming to witness the ceremony"
 Esteban poised upon his elbow, his face was study. "What have you ar ranged?'' he managed to inquire
 "Sh-h!" Norine laid a finger upon his lips. "The guest of the republic is to be married today"
 "Norine! Oh, my dear" quavered the sick man. 'I can't let you do this mad thing. Think I'm ready for the grave"
 This will make you well. We're go- ing away when the very next expedi- ton arrives"
 'I haven't the strength to refuse" Esteban murmured. And yet, how can l leave Cuba? What right have I to accept happiness and leave Rosa"
 This was subject which Norine dreaded, question to which she knew no answer. She was not In a mood 10 discuss it, and made no attempt to do so. Instead. she laid the invalid upon his pillow. saying:
 Leslie is waiting to wish you joy and quick recovery. May l ask him l in?"
 She stepped to the door, only to be- hold her late companion making off down the village street in great haste and evident excitement. Approaching between the drunken rows of grass huts was little knot of people. Even as Norine watched ii grew into con siderable crowd, for men and women and children came hurrying from their tasks. There were three figures in the