Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1918-09-12

Nights =" Norine gasped.
ut BEATS" Branch paused, then
wagged his head warningly at the girl.
y don't believe q word Of it and you
mustn't"
Then Johnnie told the story. when
he had finished there was a long mo-
ment of silence. Then Norine qua
Vered TREMENDOUSLY: "That boy! That
blessed boy!"
Its all too weirdly improbable"
oReilly smiled, "but ask Rosa or
Jacket-the boy is bursting to tell
some one. He nearly died because he
couldn't brag about it to Captain Mo-
I'm, and there won't be any holding
alm now. I'm afraid he'll tip off the
news about that treasure in spite of all
ny warnings, Those jewels are a
temptation; I won't rest easy until
they're safely locked up in some good
vault. Now then, I've told you every
thing, but I'm dying for news. Tell me
about yourselves, about Esteban. I ex-
pected to find him we'll. What ails
him?"
"Oh, Johnnie !" Norine began. "He's
very ill. He isn't getting well. Help
me, Johnnie! Help me to get him
home"
"Of course I will. Well take him
and Rosa away where they a forget
Cuba and all the misery it has caused
them. Well make him well-don't
worry"
OReilly saw little of his sweetheart
that day, for Norine promptly bore the
girl off to her own quarters and there
attended to her needs, the most press
Ing of which was clothing.
While O'Reilly was similarly en-
gagged in making himself presentable,
he and Branch talked earnestly, with
the result that they repaired later to
General Gomez. O'Reilly concluded by
saying:
1--WE done what I came to do, sir, but
Miss Varona is badly shaken by all she
has been through. She's very nervous
and far from we'll. Esteban, too, isn't
recovering"
General Gomez nodded. "Miss Evans
declares he must have a change, and
we have arranged to send him out OF
the country. His sister, poor child.
should go, too"
"They should go at once" O'Reilly
said, positively. -"That's why we came
to see you. Let us-Branch and me
take all three Of them to the United
States"
"But how? How can you take two
women and q sick man"
"Well manage somehow" O'Reilly
declared. "It isn't far across to the
Bahama Banks. I'll agree to come
back if you so DESIRE"
Gomez shook his white head. "No
You came to find and save your fancee
and you volunteered to serve with us
while you were doing so. We have nc
desire to keep any man against his will
Some n must escort Miss Evans, who
in u guest. Why not you two?
II was looking forward to an inter
esting ceremony this afternoon" Go
mez went on. HAS you arrival
changed the plans?"
ooh no, sir" O'Reilly said, quickly
"Td like to make it doubly interesting
if Miss Varona will consent to such
short notice."
"Bravo! You have a way of doing
the unexpected. Why not? 1 don't
think Miss Varona will have it in hel
| hn1rf fn rnf11cn x1a11 orpfhirr
The old soldier was right. Rosa die
not gainsay her lover, and toward sun.
down the city among the leaves wit
messed an unaccustomed scene.
Rosa, very dainty in her borrowed
nurses uniform, was round-eyed
tfmid; she evoked much admiration
but when she was addressed as Sonora
O'Reilly she blushed to the roots OF
her hair and shrank close to her hus
bands side. Branch proved to be q
happy choice as Esteban's proxy, fol
he relieved Norine's anxiety and smoth.
cred her a~pprehensions.
When Rosa and O'Reilly returned tc
Esteban's cabin they found Norine
ahead of them. She was kneeling be.
side the sick mans hammock, and
through the doorway came the low, in.
innate murmur of their voices. Rosa
drew her husband away, whispering
happily:
"He will get well. God and that won.
derful girl Won'tslet him die"