The Washington herald., 1919-12-30
girl with evsFy'

Hush She drew him closer.
You're going 10 tell me that you
have nothing can offer me nothlns.
You're going to do the generous, noble
thing. Well' j hate generous people
I'm selfish. utterly selfish and spoiled.
and j don't propose to be robbed OF
anything 1 want. least Of all my hap
piness. You do love me. don't youg"
Esteban's cry was eloquent: he
ciasped his arms about her and she
held him hercely TO her breast.
We'll. then. why don't you tell me
so? IL can't keep on proposing. IL
isn't ladylike"
We're quite mad. quite insane" he
told her after a while. This oniy
makes II harder TO give you up" .
You're not going to give me up
and you're not going to die. sha'n.t
let you. Think what you have to live
for"
Ibid wrong to surrender"
1T was who surrendered. Come:
Must ] say it sil' Aren't you going
to ask me"
''What?"
Why. TO marry you. OF course"
Esteban gasped: he looked deeply
into Norine's eyes then he closed his
own. lie shook his head. Not that"
We're going to be married. and I'm
soins to take you out Of this miserable
place"
What happiness" he murmured
III j were we'll But 1 won't let
you marry a dying man"
Norine rose, her face sglow with
new strength, new determination. she
dried her eyes and readjusted her hair
with deft. unconscious touch. smiling
down. meanwhile. at the man. II
| brought you back when YOU were all
but gone. j saved you after the others
hsd given you up. and now you are
mine TO do with as | please. You be-
long TO me and ! sha'n't consult
you" She turned. for a figure had
darkened the door: IL Was one Of her
English speaking convalescents who
was acting as a sort OF orderly.
''Senorita." the man said. with a
flash of white teeth. we have another
sick man. and you'd never guess who.
: IL is Eat American. FL Demonio-"
Mr. Branch?"
Isl The very same. He has Just
come from the front"
rs he SICK or wounded" Esteban
inquired.
shot. by a Spanish bullet. He asked
at once for our senorita."
OF course. I'll come in an instant"
When the messenger had gone Norine
bent and pressed her lips 10 Esteban's
Remember. you're mine ~ do with
as l please she said; then she fed
down the grassy street.
Branch was waiting at Norine's
quarters. a soiled figurc OF detection.
, His left arm lay in a sling across his
breast He looked up at her approach.
but she scarcely recognized him. 80
greatly changed was he.
Leslie had filed out. There wasa
| healthy color beneath his deep tan.
his flesh was arm, his eyes clear and
bright.
Hello. Norine" he cried. Wei.
they got me-"
Norine paused in astonlshne-.-
why. Leslie, ] was so frjghtenedi
/ But-you can't be badly hurt"
Bad enough so that Lopez sent rus
in. a fellow gets nyblown n he stays
in the field. SO I beat it,
Has your arm been dressed2
No. wouldn't let these roush-
and-tumble doctors touch il. They'd
/ anpuiate at the shoulder for a hang
nail ] don't trust EN-"
But Leslie shrugged. oh. it's feel-
ing fine, right now, I'd rather leave
/ It alone. ] just wanted to see you
You mustn't neglect il: there's dan-
Eer of" 30.
Gee. You're looking great" he in-
O iClrupted Its better than a ban-
4uet just TO look at YOU"
And YOU" Norine scanned the in-
valid apPraiSingly. why. you're an
ether man.
sure, Listen 10 this" He thumped
his chest. Best pair OF bellows 10
Cuba. The open air did it."
What a pity YOU were hurt just
a: such p time But you would take
insane risks. Now then. let's have q
look AT your wound" She pushed
4 him. protesting. into her cabin.
1t doesn't hurt, really he declared
!t's only a scratch"
OF course you'd say So Sit down.
Please don't bother. II you done
mind"
But I do mind. II you won't trust
ne I'll run for a doctor"
Il tell YOU ] can't stand en-. Ti.ry'it
I9cA" around and give a fellow -,n-
-ienc."
Then behave yourself" NoI ne
forced the patient into a chan aud
withdrew his arm from the sling.
Then. despite his weak resistance. she
d'fuy removed the bsnCasc. FROM
. hlS oppression she to4l sue that sio
must be hurtinc him. but when The
INJURY was exposed she looked up ia
wondcrm,nt.
Leslie" she exclaimed What n
the world"
'Wvil' You insisted on seeing 80
he Srumbled. Il told YOU Il Ma~n't
much" He tried TO meet her eyes.
hut failed.
There was a moments pause. th,n
Norine inquired. curioUsly. What IS
the trouble You'd better 'fess up"
Branch struggled with himself 10
swallowed hard. then said: I'm
going TO. You see now why ] didu'e
| 20 "a a doctor: ] did it-shot my elf.
| You won't give me away
''Why-I don't understand"
CTo Be ContinuedD