Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1918-09-27
marry a dying man. Z

"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, yor'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 detection.
Ills 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, Norinei" he cried swell,
they got me-
Norine paused in establishment.
s'Why, Leslie! / was so frightened!
But-you can't be badly hurt"
"Bad enough SO that Lopez sent me
in. A fellow gets fyblown IL he stays
in the field, SO I beat it."
'Has your arm been dressed?"
"No. ] wouldn't let these rough-and-
tumble doctors touch it. They'd ampu-
tate at the shoulder for hangnail. I
don't trust 'em."
"Then I'll look at it,
sIt doesn't hurt, really" he declared.
''It's only a scratch"
'aThen 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 up in
wonderment.
"Leslie!'' she exclaimed 'What in
the world"
Branch struggled with himself, ne
swallowed hard, then said: "You can
see now why I didn't go to doctor;
did it-shot myself. You won't give
me awayw
Norine seated herself weakly; she
stared in bewilderment at the unhappy
speaker. afraid? You, Eel Demonio
Why, you aren't afraid of anything!"
"Say You don't believe all that
stuff, do you? I'm 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
I 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. I was blind with fright all the
time and 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! | 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 hero, ] 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-I had to
keep it up or become ridiculous. But
it nearly killed me-
Tt 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 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 into Esteban's
cabin, leaving Branch to wait outside.
At sight OF her Esteban uttered
low cry of happiness. Dearest! I've
been lying in a stupor of delight. The
world has become bright. I hear peo-
pie laughing. What changer,
give arranged everything! The pres
ident and his cabinet are coming to
witness the ceremony"
Esteban poised upon his elbow. his
face was a study "What have you ar
ranged?" he managed to inquire.
"Sh-h" Norine laid finger upon
his lips. 'The guest Of the republic is
to be married today"
"Norine! Oh, my dear" quavered
the sick man. IT 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
Il haven't the strength to refuse"
Esteban murmured. "And yet, how
can leave Cuba? What right have
to accept happiness and leave Rosa"
This was subject which Norine
dreaded, a question to which she knew
no answer. She was not in mood to
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 I ask him
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 it grew into con-
siderable crowd, for men and women
and children came hurrying from their
tasks. There were three figures in the