Judsonia weekly advance., 1918-10-09
CHAPTER xxI-Continued.


 had given you up, and now you are mine to do with as please. You be- long to me and sha'n't consult you" She turned, for figure had dark ened the door 1t was one of her Eng nsh-speaking convalescents who was acting as a sort of orderly. "Senorita," the man said, with a Hash of white teeth, i've have another sick man, and you'd never guess who. At is that American, Ell Demonio-"
 "Is 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 fled down the grassy street
 Branch was waiting at Norine's quarters, soiled figure of dejection. His left arm lay in sling across his breast. He looked up at her approach, but she scarcely recognized him, so greatly changed was he.
 Hello, Norinel" he cried. "Well, they got me-"
 Norine paused in astonishment. "Why, Leslie I was so frightened! But-you can't be badly hurt"
 Bad enough so that Lopez sent me In. A fellow gets flyblown if he stays In the field. so I beat It."
 "Has your arm been dressed?"
 ''No. wouldn't let these rough-and- ! tumble doctors touch 1t. They'd ampu- tate at the shoulder for hangnail. I don't trust 'em."
 "Then I'll look at it.''
 "1t doesn't hurt, really" he declared. ~It's only scratch"
 eThen behave yourself" Norine forced the patient into a chair and withdrew his arm from the sling. Then, despite his weak resistance, she neftly removed the bandage. From bis expression she felt sure that she ~-A Abe hurting him, but when the ln. Awas exposed she looked uy in wonderment.
 "Lesliew she exclaimed. "What in khe world"
 Branch struggled with himself, he swallowed hard, then said: "You can Bee now why didn't go to doctor; lid it-shot myself. You won't give me awayT
 Norine seated herself weakly; she stared in bewilderment at the unhappy speaker. Afraid? You, Ell Demonio Why, you aren't afraid of anything 1" "Sayl You don't believe all that stuff, do you7 Pm afraid of my shadow nd 01x hnr and never was. They told me was going to die and 1t scared me so that tried to end things quickly. couldn't bear to die slowly, to know that was dying by inches. But, Lord !! 1t scared me even worse to go into battle. I was blind with fright all the lime and I never got over 1t. Why, the sight of gun gives me a chill, and jump every time one goes off. Lord 1! 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, thought they were kidding, that everybody must know how frightened was. After time saw that I'd fooled them, and that shamed me. Then had to keep it up or become ridiculous. But 1t nearly killed me-"
 It so happened that the president md 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- dce 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 Estebans cabin, leaving Branch to wait outside.
 At sight of her Esteban uttered low cry of happiness. "Dearesti I've been lying in a stupor of delight The world has become bright. hear peo- pie laughing. What a change"
 "I've arranged everything The pres ldent 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-hw Norine laid finger upon his lips. "The guest of the republic is to be married today"
 "Norine! Oh, my dear" quavered the sick man. q 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"