The Ordway new era., 1918-10-11
CHAPTER vIl-continVed.


ters." said he.
asDittersi And I asked for yellow
glass of agxa with yellow" Branch's
voice shook. I'm dying OF fever
aud this iyory-bllled toucan brings me
quart Of poison. Bulletsi" IL was
impossible to describe the suggestion
Of profanity with which the speaker
colored this innocuous erpletive. Weak
a. I am. shall gnaw his "fndplpe.'
He bnred his teeth suggestiyeiy ana
rsised two tnlonlike hnnds.
The winter was puzzled but not
alarmed He embraced himself ss his
customer had done, and shuddered
then pointing at the bitters, he nodded
enrourngingly-
oReilly forestalled m outburst BY
transiating his countryman's wants.
-Un vaso de agun con hielo," said he,
and the attendant WIS all apologies.
$50 you speak the llngoF" fnarveled
Sir. Branch. "well, ! can't get the
hang of IT. Don't ike IT. Don't Ike
anything Spanish. H OF a country.
isn't iti-where the Ice is yellow and
the butter is meant TO kill you. and
does"
OReIlIy Inughed you've been
studying a guide book. with complete
glossary Of Spanish phrases
Mr.. Branch nodded listlessly. 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. BUN lungs.
cBme down here to shuttle on, and I'm
waiting for 1t TO happen What brings
you to Cubar'
"Tm here for my health. too" The
real invalid stared. ~ have rheuna-
tism."
Going TO sweat It out, ehi Well.
there's nothing to do but swent'-
Branch was racked by coughing
spasm that shook his reedy frame
"swent and cough. Bulletsl No mis-
take nbout that hospital bark, IA
thereY" When he had regained his
breath he said "See here, I'm going
to take chance with you. for / Ike
your looks. My newspaper work is a
blum don't send enough stun to keep
me alive / came here to cure my
lungs. and-I want you to help me
do it.
OReilly stared at the man in sur
prise. How can ! help your he
asked.
by taking me with you"
with me? Where7'
ITO the insurrectOs, of course"
The men eyed each other fixedly.
"what makes you think-" O'Reilly
began.
"Oh. don't say II, I've got hunch
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 youi
congh1" Johnnie inquired curiously
Mr.. Branch hesitated. well, I'll tel
you" he said. after a moment. I'm
afraid to die this way, by Inches, ant
hours. I'm scared to death" II seemet
impossible that the sick mans cheek
could further blanch, but they became
fnirly livid, while beading OF moi.
ture appeared upon his upper lip
Heaven You've no idea how 1t get
On fellows nerves to see himsel
siipping-sllpplng. I'd like to end 1
suddenly, like thatr' He voiced tn
last sentence abruptly and snapped hi
fingers. "Then. too, I'd like TO have
thrill before l cash in-taste the sal
of iife,' as somebody expressed II
That's war. It's the biggest game ii
the world. What do you think OF tn
fdeaf'
mot much" O'Reilly said honestly
Difference In temperament. l sup
pose 1t Is n sick fancy. but I've got II
TN rotten coward. but ri fight |
the Cubuns Will take me-"
where are the Cubansf"
"Oh. they're out yonder in the hills
know all about 'em. Come over &