The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-10-10
CHAPTER xxI-centInusd.

Norine rose, her face aglow with
new strength. new determination. II
brought you back when you were all
but gone. saved you aftcr the others
had given you up. and now you are
mine to do with ~ ] please. You be-
long TO me and sha'n't consult you."
She turned. for q figure had dark.
ened the door; II was one Of her Eng
lish-spsaking convalescents who was
acting ~ q sort Of orderly.
"Senorita," the man said. with
nash Of white teeth. I'VE have another
sick man. and you'd never guess who.
II IL that American. El DeWonio-"
rs he sick or woundedf" Esteban
inquired.
"Shot BY Spanish bullet. He asked
at once for our senorita."
SOf course. I'll come In an Instant" |"
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 6ed down
the grassy street
Branch was waiting at Norine's
quarters, = soiled ngure Of detection.
His left arm lay In a sling across his
breast He looked up at her approach,
bat che scarcely recognized him, 20
greatly changed was he.
Hello. -Norinoi" he cried. swell,
they got me-"
Norine paused in astonishment.
"Why, Leslie! was 20 frightened
But-you can't be badly hurt"
bad enough 10 that Lopez sent me
In. A fellow gets nyblown II he stays
in the Geld. 20 beat it,
Has your arm been dressed7"
"No. wouldn't let these rough-an
tumble doctors touch II. They'd ampu-
tate at the shoulder for q hahgnail. l
don't trust 'em."
"Then I'll look at H."
'It doesn't hurt, really" /" he declared.
tits only . scratch"
~Then behave yourself" Norine
forced the patient into q chair and
withdrew his arm from the sling.
Then. despite his weak resistance, she
deftly removed the bandage. From
his expression she felt sure that she
must b. hurting him., but when tho
injury wss exposed she looked up In
wondsrment.
"Lesliew she exclaimed. "what In
the wofld-r
Branch struggled with himself, he
swallowed hard. then said: "You can
see now why didn't 60 to doctor:
did it--shot myself. You won't Give
me awayr
Norine seated herself weakly: she
stared in bewilderment Mt the unhappy
speaker. "Afraidf You, El Demonio
Why. you aren't afraid Of anything I"
"Say! You don't believe all that
stun. do your Tn afraid Of my shadow
and always have been. I'm not brave
and never was. They tsld me was
going to die and II scared me 30 that
] tried to end things quickly. II
couldn't bear 10 die slowly. to know
that I was dying BY inches. But. Lord
It scared me even worse to 20 into
battle. ] was blind with fright all the
time and ]. never got over II. Why,
the sight Of gun gives me Q chill. and |
] jump every time one goes on. Lord |
how I've suffered! ! went crazy at our
nrst engagement-craxy with fear.
didn't know where was, or what han
pened, or anything. Afterward, when
they hailed me 40 Q hero, I thought
they were Kidding. that everybody
must know how frightened was.
After time ] saw that I'd fooled them,
and that shamed me. Then-I had to
keep II up or become ridiculous. But
Il nearly killed me-"
il 20 happened that the presldent
and well-nigh the entire provisional
cabinet were In Cubitaa. Leslie and
Nosine went directly to the former. He
promptly sent for the minister Of Jus
tice. who In turn calamity put himself
II Norne's disposal. In no time the
news had spread and there was sub
fued excitement throughout the camp.
Norine wss 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. "Dearesti I've
been lying In Q stupor Of delight. The
world has become bright. I hear peo-
ple laughing. What change 70 l.
I've arranged everything! The pres
dent and his cabinet are coming to
witness the ceremony"
Esteban poised upon his elbow, his
kacs was study. "What have you ar
raneedT he managed to Inquire.
"bh-h" Norine laid finger upon
his lips. "The guest Of the republic Is
10 be married today"
"Norine! oh. my dear" quavered
tho sick man. Il 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.
den arrives"
Il haven't the strength to refuse"
Esteban murmured. "And yet, how
can leave Cuha7 What right hova \