The state herald., 1919-02-07
CHAPTER xxl-contlnusd.

Sorine rose, her face agiow with
new strength, new determination. II
brought you back when you were all
but gone. i saved you after the others
had 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 figure had dark.
ened the door; It was one of her Eng
lish-speaking convalescents who was
acting as a sort Of orderly.
"Senorita," the man said. with a
fash of white teeth, 1--WE have another
sick man, and you'd never guess who.
1t is that American. Ell Demonio-"
"Is he sick or wounded1" Esteban
inquired.
"Shot by Spanish bullet. BE asked
at once for our senorita."
"0f 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 fed down
the grassy street
Branch was waiting at Norlne's
quarters, soiled figure Of detection.
His left arm lay In a sling across his
breast. He looked up at her approach,
but she scarcely recognized him, so
greatly changed was he.
"Hello. Norine!" he cried. "well,
they got me-"
Nor.ne paused In astonishment.
why, Leslie, / was so frightened |
But-you can't be badly hurt"
bad enough so that Lopez sent me
in. A fellow gets fiyblown II he stays
in the field. so beat IT."
HAS your arm been dressedT
NO. / wouldn't let these rough-and-
tumble doctors touch 1t. They'd ampu-
tate ut the shoulder for a hangnail. I
don't trust EN-"
.Then I'll look at It"
at doesn't hurt, really" he declared.
ITS only scratch"
Then behave yourself" Norine
forced the patient into a 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 be hurting him. but when the
injury was exposed she looked up in
wonderment.
sLesliew she exclaimed. "what In
the world"
Branch struggled with himself. he
swallowed hard. then said: "You can
rec now why didn't go to doctor; I
did it-shot myself. You won't give
me awayr'
Norine seated herself weakly; she
stared IN bewilderment at the unhappy
speaker. "Afraidi You. Ell Demonio
Why. you aren't afraid Of anything ~
SAY, You don't believe all that
stuff, do you? I'm afraid of my shadow
and always have been. I'm not brave
and never was. They told me I was
going to die and II scared me so that
tried TO end things quickly.
couldn't bear to die slowly. to know
that was dying by inches. But. Lord
IL scared me even worse to 60 into
battle. was blind with fright all the
time and I never got over II. Why
the sight Of a gun gives me chill. and
jump every time one goes on. Lord
how I've suffered went crazy at oui
hrst engngement-craxy with fear.
didn't know where was. or what hap
pened. or anything. Afterward. when
they hailed me us q hero. thought
thsy were kidding, that everybody
must know how frightened I was
After time saw that I'd fooled them
and that shamed me. Then-I had tc
keep II up or become ridiculous. Bui
Il nearly killed me-"
II no happened that the presiden,
and well-nigh the entire provisionn
cabinet were In Cubitas. Leslie ant
Norine went directly to the former. II,
promptly sent for the minister Of Jus
tice. who in turn railantly put himself
at Norine's disposal. In no tine III,
news had spread and there was sub
dued excitement throughout the camp
Sorine was between tears and laughter
when she ran painting into Esteban'i
cabin. leaving Branch to wait outside.
At sight OF her Esteban uttered
low cry OF happiness. "DearestI ry,
been lying In n stupor OF delight. Tn,
world has become bright. hear peo
pie laughing. What changer
"Tve arranged everything The pres
ident and his cabinet nrc coming I,
witness the ceremony"
Estebnn poised upon his elbow. hi
fnce was study. what have you ar
rnngedr he managed to inquire.
"Sh.hw Norinc laid n finger upoi
his lips. ''Thc guest of the republic 1
TO be married today"
"Norinei oh, my dear" qunvcre,
the sick man. II can't let you do thi
mad thing. Think I'm ready for tn
grave"
This will make you well. We're 20
Ing nwny when the very next e1pedI
aon arrives"
Il haven't the strength to refuse.
Esteban murmurcd. "And ~. no,
rPn leave Cubnf What right have
70 accept happiness md leave Rosa-
This was subject which Norm