The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-07-11
CHAPTER vII-continued.

O'Reilly read the label II olt-
ters," said he.
''Bitters! And 1 asked for yellow
a glass of agwa with yellow" Branch's
voice shook. I'm dying of a fever.
and this ivory-billed tOucan brings me
a quart of poison. Bullets !" 1t was
impossible to describe the suggestion
of profanity with which the speaker
colored this innOcuous expletive. WEAK
as 1 am, L shall gnaw his windpipe-
He barred his teeth suggestively and
raised two talOnlike hands.
The waiter was puzzled but not
alarmed He embraced himself as his
customer had done, and shuddered !;
then pointing at the bitters, he nodded
encouragingly.
O'Reilly forestalIed an outburst by
translating his cOuntryman's wants.
'eUn vase de aqua con hielo,' said he,
and the attendant was all apologies.
$50 you speak the lingo?" marveled
Mr.. Branch. 'Well, 1 can't get the
hang of it. Don't like it. Don't like
anything Spanish. H of country.
isn't it?-where the ice is yellow and
the butter is meant to kill you and
doeS.''
O'RefIly laughed. you've been
studying a guide book, with complete
glossary of Spanish phrases.
Mr. Branch nodded lfstlessly. "Pm
supposed to report this instruction,
but the Spaniards won't let me. They
edit my stuff to suit themselves. I'm
getting tired of the farce"
Going hOme?"
Don't dare" The speaker tapped
his concave chest. Bum lungs. I
came down here to shuttle off, and I'm
waiting for it to happen. What brings
you to Cuba?"
I'm here for my health. too" The
real invalid stared ~ have rheuma-
tism."
Going to sweat it out, Ell? Well,
Branch was racked by a coughing
spasm that shook his reedy frame
''sweat and cough. Bullets! No mis-
take about that hospital bark, is
there?" When he had regained his
breath he said: "See here! I'm going
to take a chance with you, for 1 like
your looks. My newspaper work is a
bluff don't send enough stuff to keep
me alive 1 came here to cure my
lungs, and-I want you to help me
do it,
O'ReilIy stared at the man in sur
prise. "HoW can 1 help yOu2" ne
asked.
"By taking me with YOU
with me? Where?"
ITO the insurrectos, of course"
The men eyed each other fxedly.
"What makes you think" ORei1ly
began.
"Oh, don't say it I've got a bunch
1 don't know what your game is
probably dynamite: there's a story
that the rebels have sent for some
American experts to teach them how
to use the stuff. and God knows they
need instruction. Anyhow, 1 can't
swallow that rheumatism talk /
thought you might gie me lift. Take
me along, will yOu?"
"And how would that benefit your
cough?" Johnnie inquired curiously.
Mr.. Branch hesitated. "Well, I'll tell
YOU" he said, after moment. I'm
afraid to die this way, by inches, and
hours. I'm scared to DEATH" 1t seemed
imDossible that the sick mans cheeks
could further blanch, but they became
fairly Iivid, while a beading of mOis-
ture appeared upon his upper lip.
Heaven! You've no idea how it gets
on q fellows nerves to see himself
slipping-slipping. I'd like to end it
suddenly, like thatl' He voiced the
last sentence abruptly and snapped his
fingers. 'aThen, too, I'd ike to have a
thrill before l cash in-taste the salt
of life,' as somebody expressed it.
That's war. It's the biggest game in
the world. What do you think Of the
lidea2"
mot much" O'Reilly said honestly.
Difference in temperament. I sup
pose it is sick fancy. but I've got it
I'm a rotten coward, but I'll fight If
the Cubans will take me-"
'Where are the Cubans?"
"Oh, they're out yonder in the hills
1 know all about 'em. Come over to
INV quarters, and I'll show you a map,
lie you're interested"
st am" said O'Reilly, and. rising, he
followed his new acquaintance.
CHAPTER VIII.