Meade County news., 1918-09-19
CHAPTER xxI-continued.


but gone. saved you after the others
had given you up, and now you are
mine to do with as please. You be-
long to me and 1 sha'n't consult you"
She turned, for q figure had dark
ened the door; it was one Of her Eng
disappearing convalescents who was
acting as sort Of orderly.
"Senorita," the man said, with
flash of white teeth, 1--WE have another
sick man, and you'd never guess who.
It is that American, El Demonio-"
as 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
/ please" she said; then she fed down
the grassy street.
Branch was waiting at Norine's
quarters, soiled figure of detection.
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, Norinpp 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 fiyblown If he stays
in the field, so beat It,"
"Has your arm been dressedP"
''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."
ut doesn't hurt, really" he declared.
"It's only 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 up in
wonderment.
"LeslieI" she exclaimed. "What in
the world"
Branch struggled with himself, he
swallowed hard, then said: "You can
see now why didn't go to a doctor; I
did it-shot myself. You won't give
me away?"
Norine seated herself weakly; she
stared in bewilderment at the unhappy
speaker. "Afraid? You, El Demonio
Why, you aren't afraid Of anything"
"Sayl 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 1t scared me so that
tried to end things quickly. I
couldn't bear to die slowly, to know
that was dying by inches. But, Lord
1t scared me even worse to go into
battle. / was blind with fright all the
time and 1 never got over 1t. Why,
the sight of gun gives me chill, and
! jump every time one goes off. Lord
how I've suffered went crazy at our
first engagement-crazy with fear. I
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
1t 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
ut 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. "Dearestl I've
been lying in stupor of delight. The
world has become bright. / hear peo-
pie laughing. What changep
1--WE 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-hl" Norine laid a finger upon
his lips. "The guest Of the republic is
to be married today"
"Norinel Oh, my dear" quavered
the sick man. II 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-
dOn 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, question to which she knew
no answer. She was not in mood to
discuss 1t, and made no attempt to do
so. Instead, she laid the invalid upon
.traS -.