Evening star., 1918-01-27

what a battle should be like, and shall
thrill my readers with imaginary COM
bats"
o'Reilly eyed the speaker with ap.:
probation. On the way north he had
learned to know Leslie Branch and to
like him, for he had discovered that the
man possessed rare and pleasing Pc
culiarity of disposition. Ordinarily
Branch was bitter. irritable pessimistic:
but when his luck was worst and his
fortunes lowest he frightened up. 1t
seemed that he reacted naturally. auto
matical1y. against misfortune. Ger
tainly his and O'Reilly's plight upon
leaving Cuba had been sufficiently un-
pleasant, for they were almost penni-
less. and the invalid. moreover. knew
that he was facing probably fatal
climate; nevertheless. once they were
at sea, he had ceased his grumbling. and
by assuming a genuinely cheerful mien.
Even yet O'Reilly was not over his
amazement; he could not make up his
mind whether the man was animated
hopeless resignation. But whatever the
truth. the effect Of this typical per-
versity had been most agreeable. Aad
when Leslie cheerfully volunteered to
share the proceeds of his newspaper
work during their stay in New York.
thus enabling his friend to seize the
first chance Of returning to Cuba. John
nie's affection for him was cemented.
But Branch's very cheerfulness worried
him: it seemed to betoken that the
fellow was sicker than he would con-
fess.
That evening OReilly anticipated his
dinner engagement by few moments
In order to have word alone with
Alvarado.
'Tve seen Enriquez." he told the doc
tor, but he won't promise to send me
tiau through; He ea,,a says the junta is be, be,
for Cuba-and, Of course. don't When
appealed In Rosa's name he told me,
truthfully enough. dare say. that there
are thousands Of Cuban women as bad
1y in need of succor as she. He says
this is no time for private considers
tions.'
quite so" the doctor agreed. "we
hear frightful stories about this new
concentration policy. I-can't believe
them"
''oh. I guess they are true: 1t is tho
more reason why. I must get back at
once" OReilly said. earnestly.
This lady who is coming here to-
night has influence with Enriquez. You
remember I told you that she has con-
tributed literally. She might help you"
'1ll imp1ore her to put in word for
me. Who is she?
We'll, she's my pet nurse"
"a nurse" O'Reilly's eyes opened
wide. "a nurse. with money! I didn't
know there was such a thing
l..
than rich DOCTORS" Alvarado acknowl-
edged. But, you see, nursing is mere
ly Miss Evans avocation. She's one
of the few wealthy women I know who
have real ideals. and live up to them"
''Oh, she has 'mission'!" Johnnie's
interest in DR.. Alvarados other guest
suddenly fell away, and his tone indf-
Gated as much. AS the doctor was
about to reply the ringing OF the door
bell summoned him away.
O'Rei1lv had met women Will, fdoa1 la
with purposes, with avocations and his
opinion of them was low. Women who
had missions" were always tiresome.
he had discovered. This one, is ap-
had adopted a particularly exacting
form Of charitable work. Nursing. even
as rich woman's diversion, must be
anything but agreeable. O'Reilly pic
a large. plain. elderly creature, OBJ
sessed with impractical ideas of uplift-
Ing the masses, She would undoubted-
ly bore him stiff with stories Of her
work: she would reproach him with neg
lect Of his duties to the suffering.
Johnnie was too poor to be charitable
and too deeply engrossed at the mo-
ment with his own troubles to care any
thing whatever about the masses"
And she was a miss" That meant
that she wore thick glasses and prob
ably kept cats.
A ringing laugh from the cramped
hallway interrupted these reflections;
then a moment later DR.. Alvarado was
introducing O'Reilly to a young wom-
an SO completely out Of the picture, so
utterly the opposite of his preconceived
notions. that he was momentarfly at a
loss. Johnnie found himself looking
into pair Of frank gray eyes, and felt
his hand seized by firm, almost mas
culine grasp. Miss Evans. according to
his first dazzling impression, was about
the most fetching creature he had ever
seen and about the last person by
whom any young man could be bored.
If she kept cats they must be pedigreed
Persian cats. and well worth keeping,
Johnnie decided. The girl-and she
was girl-had brought into the room
an electric vitality. breeziness hard to
describe. Her eyes were humorous and
intelligent; her teeth, which she SEEM
ed always ready to show in a friendly.
generous smile. were strong and white
and sparkling. Altogether she was
smartly gotten-up young womanhood
that O'Reilly could only stammer his
acknowledgment Of the Introduction.
tnwardly berating himself for his awk-
wardness. He was aware Of Alvarado's
amusement, and this added to his en-
barrassment.
THE doctor has told me all about
you" Miss Evans addressed Johnnie
furs and a stylish little turban hat.
your trip
$50 am l." confessed Alvarado. you
know. Mr.. O'Reilly has seen my broth
ers."
You men must go right ahead and
talk as II weren't here. I won't in
terrupt, except with a few vivas or
carambas Or What are some other
lady-like Spanish exclamations?"
There aren't very many" Johnnie
acknowledged. Il always try to swear
in English"
Alvarado placed an afrectionate hand
this girl has done more for Cuba than
tune for medical supplies" said he.
Those poor men must live on
quinine." the girl exclaimed. ANY one
who can bear to take the stun ought
to have all he wants. I've a perfect
passion for giving pills"
"Oh, you may joke about 1t. All the
same, II others would make the same
Miss Evans interrupted breezily:
ut wasn't any sacrifice at all. That's
the worst Of it. The salve I bought
was really for my conscience. if you
must know. 1 squander altogether too
much on myself" Then. turning to
o'Reilly. II love extravaganza, don't
you"
Dearly! It's my one unconquerable
vice." he told her. He thought grimly
OF the four dollars in his pocket which
represented his and Leslie Branch's to-
tai wealth. but 1t seemed to him that he
was called upon to agree with anything