The Mena weekly star., 1919-01-02

~ ~ SVit-- FAStll 70 tfe lnSHi-
rectos with you"
with mew o'Reilly could not con
ceal his lack of enthusiasm. 81 don't
know that the junta win take me-
They win If / ask them. You say
the rebels have no hospitals, no
Nurses
We do the best we can. with our
equipment"
We'll. I'll supply better equipment.
and III handle 1t myself. I'm in ear
nest You sha'n't stop me-"
The physician stirred uneaslly. eTt's
utterly absurd" he expostulated.
Some women might do it, but you're
not the sort. You are--pardon me-a
most attractive young person. You'd
be thrown among rough men,"
Mr.. OReilly will look out for me.
But for that matter, l can take care
OF myself. Oh, It's of no use trying
to discourage me. 1 always have my
own way; I'm completely spoiled"
"Your family win never consent"
OReilly ventured; whereupon Miss
Evans laughed.
u haven't such q thing. Tn alone
and unineumbered. No girl was ever
so fortunate. But wait-rIl settle this
whole thing In a minute" She quilted
the table, ran to Alvarado's telephone,
and called a number
shes after Enriquez," groaned the
physician. He's weak; he can't re
fuse her anything."
i don't vast a woman on my
hands," O'Reilly whispered, fiercely.
Suppose she got sick? Good Lord J
I'd have to nurse her" He wiped
sudden moisture from his brow.
"Oh, she won't get sick. She'll prob
ably nurse you-and all The other men.
You'll like it. too, and you viii all fall
In love with her-everybody does-and
start fighting among yourselves.
There She has Fnriquez. Listen"
Johnnie shivered apprehenslvely at
the directness with which Miss Evans
put her request. "You understand,
want to go and see for myself she
was saying. IF you need medicines
I'll give them-bushels of the nastiest
stuff l can buy. I'll organize field
hospital. Oh, very WELL call
1t bride, If you like. Anyhow, I've
fully determined to go, and Mr.. O'Reil-
ly has volunteered to take care Of me.
He's charmed with the idea" Miss
Evans giggled "That means you'll
have to take him along, too"
There followed pause during which
the two men exchanged dismayed
glances.
"She doesn't seem to care what she
says" O'Reilly murmured. "But-Tll
put flea In Enriquez' ear"
"Put 1t In writing, please" There
was wait. "Now read 1t to me.
Goodl" Miss Evans fairly purred
over the telephone. "Send 1t to me by
messenger right away; that's a dear.
I'm at Doctor Alvarado's house, and
he's beside himself with joy. Thanks,
awfully. You're so nice" A moment,
and she was back in the dining room
facing her two friends--a picture of
triumph. you have nothing more to
say about It," she gloated. "'The pro
visional government of Cuba, through
its New York representatives extends
to Miss Norine Evans an invitation to
visit its temporary headquarters in the
Sierra de something-or-other and
deems II an honor to have her as it's
guest so long as she wishes to remain
there. Now then, let's celebrate"
She executed a dance step, pirou-
cited around the room, then pumped
herself down into her chair. She rat
tied her cup and saucer noisily, cry
ing, "Fill them up, Doctor Gloom.
Let's drink to Cuba Libre."
Johnnie managed to smile as he
raised his demi-tasse. Here's to my
success as a chaperon," said he. 'T'm
disliked by the Spaniards, and now
the Cubans win hate me. / can see
happy days ahead"
O'Reilly arose early the next morn
ing and hurried down to the office of
the junta, hoping that he could con-
vince Mr.. Enriquez of the folly of al
lowing Norfne Evans TO have her way.
But his respect for Miss Evans energy
and initiative deepened when, on arriv-
Ing at SO New street, he discovered
that she had forestalled him and was
even then closeted with the man he
had come to see. Johnnie waited I'M
easily; he was dismayed when the girl
finally appeared, with Enriquez in tow,
for the mans face was radiant.
TITS all settled" she announced, at
sight of O'Reilly. tive speeded them
up"
you're an early riser" the latter re.
marked. IL hardly expected"
Enriquez broke In. "Such enthusl.
asml Such ardorl She whirls a per.
son off his feet"
ut seems Tat the Junta lacks
money for another expedition, so I've
made I'D the deficit. Wen be of in
The days of Idle waiting that fol
lowed were trying, even to one CT
O'Reilly's philosophical habit of mind
He could learn nothing about the Jun
ta's plans. and, owing to his complete
uncertainty, he was unable TO gel
work.
At last there came message which
brought them great Joy. Enriquez di
rected them to he in readiness TO leave
Jersey City at seven o'clock the follow
Ing morning. Neither Johnnie nor Les
lie Branch slept much that night.
AS they waited in the huge, barnlike
station Enriquez appeared with Norint
Evans upon his arm. The girls color
was high. she was tremulous with ex