Evening star., 1918-03-31
CHAPTER xxIx-Continued from last
Sunday.L.

Sunday.L.
WHAT HAPPENED AT sUNDowN.
o'ReiIIy saw little of his sweethear
that day. for Norine promptly bore thu
girl of to her own quarters and there
attended to her needs. the most press
ing of which was clothing. Norine's
wardrobe offered little to choose from
but between them they reduced q
nurses uniform to fit the smaller fig
ure. Meanwhile. with a rapidity and a
thoroughness delightful to both OF
them, the two girls came to know each
other.
While oReIlIy was similarly engaged
in making himself presentable. he and
Branch talked earnestly. with the re-
suit that they repaired later to Gen.
Gomez.
listened with interest to OReflly' 8
story of the rescue, and to the account
of conditions In Matanzas. O'Reilly
concluded by saying:
I've done what / came to do. sir.
but Miss varone is badly shaken by
all she has been through. She's very
nervous and far from well. Esteban,
too. isn't recovering"
Gen. Gomez nodded. Miss Evans de-
clares he must have a change, and we
have arranged to send him out of the
country: His sister. poor child, should
70, too"
certainly. Expeditions are irregular"
They should go at once" o'Reilly
said. positively. That's why we came
to see you. Let us-Branch and me
take all three of them to the United
States
You. too. Ell Demonio:" inquired the
general.
"Yes. sir: II you please
but how? How can you take two
women and a sick man
Wen manage somehow" o'Reilly
declared. 1T isn't far across to the
Bahama Banks"
True. That's the route of our un-
derground-our underseA-railroad. AS
you probably know. there is a venture
some countryman of yours who carries
our dispatches by that way. He de-
vised the scheme, to keep US in touch
with our friends in New York. and he
has done US great service. He comes
and goes in a small boat. but how or
when nobody knows. The Spanish
patrols are on the lookout for him,
and there's a price on his head. 50 you
won't find it easy or safe to cross. Be-
ware that you are not mistaken for
him"
"Do you mean that we may go?'
Branch eagerly inquired.
The general hesitated. whereupon
O'Reilly spoke up: For my part, I'll
agree to come back IL you SO DESIRE"
Gomez shook his white head. NO!
You came to find and to save your
fiancee. and you volunteered to serve
with us while you were doing SO.
We have no desire to keep any man
against his will. Some one must escort
Miss Evans. who is our guest. Why
not you two? She has every confidence
in you. and if she chooses to risk this
enterprise rather than wait until we
can guarantee her an easier trip we
shall not restrain her. / shall see that
you reach the coast safe and sound;
beyond that you must trust in God"
I Branch was Immensely relieved; he
Joined volubly in O'Reilly's thanks and
became careless of his arm. which no
longer appeared to pain him. Peace
with honor, 1t seemed, was all that he
desired.
II was looking forward to an inter-
esting ceremony this afternoon" Gomez
went on. HAS your arrival changed
the plans?"
ON no, sir" O'Reilly said, quickly.
I'D like to make it doubly interesting,
II Miss Varona will consent to such
short notice"
Bravo! You have way of doing I
the unexpected. Twin births a double !
wedding! Why not? The sight of a ]
little happiness will be good for all of
US: we're apt to forget that life and 9
the big world are going on as usual
In her heart to refuse you anything" ]
The old soldier was right. Rosa did {
not gainsay her lover, and toward sun I
down the city among the leaves wit {
messed an unaccustomed scene. 7
the women OF the camp. delighted t
At an opportunity of serving Norfne =
had transformed Estebans poor quar-, I
-ers into tiny bower of wild blossoms :
and green leaves; they likewise gath /
ered mowers Tor the two brides-to-be, e