Mexico Missouri message., 1918-09-05
CHAPTER xxI-cOntlnvsd.

new strength, new determination. 90
brought you back when you were al
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 sha'n't consult you"
She turned, for figure had dark.
ened the door; 1t was one Of her Eng.
disappearing convalescents who was
acting as a sort of orderly.
"Senorita," the man said, with a
flash Of white teeth, 1--WE have another
sick man, and you'd never guess who.
1t is that American, El Demonio-"
as he sick or woundedT Esteban
inquired.
"Shot by Spanish bullet. He asked
at once for our senorita."
"Of course. I'll come in an instant" Z"
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 fled down
the grassy street.
Branch was waiting at Norine's
quarters, solled 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, NOrine!' he cried. "Well,
they got me-"
Norine paused In astonishment.
why Leslie! was so frightened (!
But--you can't be badly hurt"
bad enough so that Lopez sent me
in. A fellow gets fyblown If he stays
in the field, so 1 beat it,"
"Has your arm been dressed?
mo. l wouldn't let these rough-and-
tumble doctors touch it. They'd ampu-
tate at the shoulder for a hangnail. I
don't trust EN-"
'"Then I'll look at It."
ut doesn't hurt, really" he declared.
ITS only scratch"
'Then behave yourself" Norine
forced the patient into a chair and
Withdrew his arm from the sling.
Then, despiteNhls 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.
'Lesliew 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 awayT
Norine seated herself weakly; she
stared in bewilderment at the unhappy
speaker. "Afraid? You, FL Demonioi
Why, you aren't afraid of anything I"
"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 was
going to die and 1t scared me so that
1 tried to end things quickly. I
couldn't bear to die slowly, to know
that was dying by inches. But, Lord
it scared me even worse to go into
battle. was blind with fright all the
time and I never got over it. Why,
the sight Of gun gives me chill, and
l 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 a hero, l thought
they were kidding, that everybody
must know how frightened 1 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-"
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 1us-
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. "Dearestl I've
been lying in stupor of delight. The
world has become bright. hear peo-
pie laughing. What change I"
i've arranged everything The pres
tdent and his cabinet are coming to
witness the ceremony"
Esteban poised upon his elbow, his
face was a study. "What have you ar
Eanged2 he managed to inquire.
"Sh-hp Norine laid a finger upon
his lips. "The guest of the republic is
10 be married today"
"Norinel Oh, my dear--" quavered
the sick man. 81 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-
tion arrives"
Il haven't the strength to refuse"
Esteban murmured. "And yet, how
can leave Cubaf What right have 1
TO accept happiness and leave Rosa"
This was subject which Norine |
dreaded, question to which she knew