The Kadoka press and Kadoka reporter. [volume] (Kadoka, S.D.) 1910-1923, 1918-06-14
CHAPTER Vil-Continued.

OReilly read the label. ITS bit
ters," said he.
"Bittersi And I asked for yellow
a glass OF agwa with yellow" Branch's
voice shook. I'm dying Of fever,
and this ivory-bllled tOuCan brings me
O quart OF poison. Bullets" 1t was
impossible TO describe the suggestion
of profanity with which the speaker
colored this innocuous expletive. "Weak
as am. shall gnaw his wlndpipe." ="
He barred his teeth suggestlvely and
raised two tnlonlke 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
enceuragingly.
O'Reily forestaled an outburst by
tranSlating his countryman's wants.
'Un vnso de aqua con hielo," said he,
and the attendant was all apologies.
80 you speak the lingof" marveled
Mr.. Branch. well, | can't get the
hang OF IT, Don't like It. Don't like
anything Spanish. HI Of country,
isn't it?-where the ice Is yellow and
the butter Is meant to kill you and
does"
O'ReIlly laughed. you've been
studying n guide book, with complete
glossary OF Spanish phrases.
Mr.. Branch nodded llstlessly. I'm
supposed To report this insurrectlon,
but the Spaniards won't let me. They
edit my stun to suit themselves. I'm
getting tired OF the farce"
"GoIng homer"
Don't dare" The speaker tapped
his concave chest "Bum lungs. |
came down here to shuttle off, and I'm
waiting for 1t to happen. What brings
you to Cuba?"
-I'm here for my health, too" The
real invalid stared. 81 have rheuma-
tism"
Going to sweat II out, eh2 Well
there's nothing TO do but sweat
Branch was racked by 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 herel I'm going
to take n chance with you. for / like
your looks. My newspaper work is
blum; don't send enough stuff TO keep
me alive. I came here to cure my
lungs, ond-I want you to help me
do IT,"
O'Reilly stared at the man In sur
prise. How can | help your" he
asked.
by taking me with you
with me? Where2"
''To the insurrectos, OF course"
The men eyed each other fixedly.
~What makes you think" O'Reilly
began.
"Oh. don't say III I've got hunch!
I don't know what your game is
probably dynamite: there's 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, l can't
swallow that rheumatism talk. |
thought you might give me lift. Take
me along, will your"
"And how would that benefit your
eough" Johnnie inquired curiously.
Mr.. Branch hesitated. "Well, I'll tell
you." he said. after a moment. "I'm
afraid to die this way, by inches, and
hours. I'm scared to DEATH" 1t seemed
impossible that the sick mans cheeks
could further blanch. but they became
fairly livid. while beading of mois-
ture appeared upon his upper lip.
~Heaven! You've no idea how II gets
% Q fellows nerves to see himself
Al1pping-slipping. I'd like to end 1t
suddenly. like thatw He voiced the
last sentence abruptly and snapped his
0neasa Then, too. I'd like to have
shriT before ! cash in-taste the salt
II life.' as somebody expressed It.
That's war as the biggest game In
he world. What do you think Of the
dea p
mot much" 0Reilly said honestly.
Difference In temperament: sup.
oss II Is a sick fancy. but I've got II.
N rotten coward. but I'll fight u
- Cubans will take me-"
sWhere are the Cubansr'
@0h. they're out yonder In the hilis.
know 3ii about 'em. Come over -