Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1919-01-09
CHAPTER XIV.
Norine Takes Charge.


During the next few days O'Reilly
had reason to bless the happy chance
which had brought Norine Evans to
Cuba. During the return journey from
San Antonio de los Banos he had dis
covered how really i'll Esteban Varona
was. how weak his hold upon life.
After listening to his rawlings. O'Reilly
began to fear that the poor fellows
mind vas permanently affected 1t was
an appalling possibility. one to which
he could not reconcile himself. To
think that somewhere in that fevered
brain was perhaps locked the truth
about Rosa's fate, If not the secret of
her whereabouts and yet to be unable
to wiring an intelligent answer to a
single question, was intolerable. The
hours of that ride were among the
longest O'Reilly had ever passed.
But Norine Evans gave him new
heart. She took complete charge of
the sick man upon his arrival in camp;
then in her brisk, matter-of-fact way
she directed O'Reilly to go and get
some much-needed rest. Esteban was
Ill, very i'll, she admitted; there was no
competent doctor near and her own
! facilities for nursing were primitive
indeed; nevertheless, she expressed
confidence that she could cure him.
and reminded O'Reflly that nature has
blessed way Of building up a resist
ance to environment. AS a result of
her good cheer O'Reilly managed to
enjoy a nights sleep.
He was up at daylight to offer his
services in caring for Esteban varona.
but Norine declined them.
His fever is down a little and he
has taken some nourishment," she re-
ported. THAT food you boys risked
your silly lives for may come in handy,
after ALL"
81 dare say he won't be able to talk
to me todayf" O'Reilly ventured.
mot today, nor for many days, I'm
afraid"
IF you don't mind, then, I'll hang
around and listen to what he says" he
told her. wistfully. HE might drop a
word about Rosa"
ITO be sure. So far he's scarcely
mentioned her. / can't understand
much that he says. of course, but Mrs. |
Ruiz tells me It's all jumbIed and quite
unintelligible."
1t was a balmy, languid morning
about two weeks after OReilly's re-
turn to the City Among the Leaves. In
a hammock swung between two trees
Esteban Varona lay. listening to the
admonitions of his nurse.
Johnnie O'Reilly had Just babe them
both hearty good morning and now
Norine was saying: Zone hour, no
more. You had temperature again
last night, and 1t came from talking too
much. Remember, it takes me just one
hour to make my rounds, and II you
are not through with your tales of
blood and battle when get back you'll
have to finish them tomorrow" With
a nod and smile she left.
AS Esteban looked after her his
white teeth cleaned and his hollow
face lit up.
"She brings me new Iife," he told
OReilly. "She Is so strong, so healthy,
30 full Of life herself. She is wonder
full When l first saw her bending over
me l thought I was dreaming. Some
times, even yet, think she cannot be
real. But she is, eh?"
She Is quite substantial" O'Reilly
smiled "All the sick fellows talk as
you do"
Esteban looked up quickly; his face
1arkened. "She-er-nurses others
Ell? I'm not the only one?"
well, hardly"
There was brief pause: then Este
ban shifted his position and his tone
changed. Tell me, have Won heard
any news7"
Not yet, but we will hear some be.
fore long I'm sure"
your faith does as much for me az
this lady's care. But when YOU 90 |
away when I'm alone, when l begin 10 |
think"
Don't think too much: don't hermit |
yeurself to doubt" OReilly said, quick
". Take my word for it. Rosa is alive
ana we'll find her somewhere. some
now. General Gomez Will soon have
word OF her. That's what I've been
waiting for-that and what you might
have to tell me-"
You know all that 1 know now and
everything that has happened to me-
Il don't know how you came to be in
cell In San Antonio de los Banos, two
aunoreo miles from the place you were
Killed. That is still mystery"
1T Is very simple, amigo. Let me
see: | had finished telling you about
the night at La Joya. 1 was telling Won
now tainted. Some good people found
'ne Few hours after lost conscious
ness They supposed had been at