Evening star., 1918-01-13
By REX BEACH
Copyright. 1915. by Harper & Bros.)

pointing at the bitters. he nodded en-
o'Keiilss forestalled an outburst by
'Unvaso de aqua con hielo," said he.
and the attendant was all apologies,
$50 you speak the lingo?" marvefled MI:
i. Don't ike it. Don't like anything
Spanish. He'll Of country. isn't it?
where the ice is yellow and the butter
is meant to kill you.' and does"
Of Spanish phrases BY the way. Carba-
jail said you are a writer"
Mr.. Branch nodded listlessly. TIN
bp tSa te spasads 5ep9ft THIS % s
They edit my stuff to suit themselves.
I'm getting tired of the farce"
Going homer"
Don't dare" The speaker tapped his
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. Il have rheuma- :
tism.''
Going to sweat it out. eh? We'll.
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 here! I'm going to take a
chance with you, for / like your looks.
My newspaper work Is bluff: don't
send enough stuff to keep me alive. I
came here to cure my lungs. and-I
want you to help me do it."
O'Reilly stared at the man in sur
prise. How can help you?" he asked.
by taking me with you"
with me? Where?"
'To the Insurrectos, Of course"
The men eyed each other fixedly.
What makes you think" O'Reilly
began.
''oh, don't say it! I've got a hunch!
] don't know what your game is
the rebels have sent for some Ameri
can experts to teach them how to use
the stuff. and God knows they need in
struction! Anyhow. I can't swallow
might give me a lift. Take me along,
will your
And how would that benefit your
cough?" Johnnie inquired. curiously-
Mr.. Branch hesitated. well, III 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 blsnch., but they became
fairly livid. while beading of mois-
ture appeared upon his upper lip. God!
You've no idea how it gets on fellows 8
nerves to see himself slipping-slipping.
I'd like to end it suddenly. like that"'
He voiced the last sentence abruptly
and snapped his fingers. I've tried to
bump off, but-no courage. Funny. isn't
it? Well. the doctors told me another
New York winter would put me in a
rosewood showcase. I've tried Colorado
and it's no good. See? So 1 decided to
join the Cubans and-let bullet do the
trick. I never did like the Spaniards-
their cooking is too greasy. Then, too.
I'd like to have a thrill before l cash
in-taste the salt of life as somebody
expressed it. That's war. It's the big
gest game in the world. What do you
think Of the idea?'
Not much" O'Reilly said. honestly.
difference in temperament. I sup
pose it is sick fancy, but I've got it..
Unfortunately, now that I'm here. these
Romeos won't let me get out of town.
If you're what I think you are. give me
a hand. 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.
I know all about 'em. Come over to
my quarters. and I'll show you a map.
if you're interested"
81 am said O'Reilly. and, rising, he
followed his new acquaintance.