The Washington herald., 1919-12-11
cHAPrER xx-coNr1NuEp.

SA1<AL 4 En- ~An--SOANl4 6Ds
But Norine Evans gave him new
heart. She took complete charge or
the sick man upon his arrival in
camp; then in her brisk matter-of-
fact way she directed O'Reiily to go
and get some much needed rest
Esteban was Ill. very III. 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'ReIlly
that nature has a blessed way Of
building up a resistance to environ
ment. As a result OF her good cheer
O'Reilly managed to enjoy a nights
sleep.
Leslie Branch was later than the
others In arriving. for the baby
proved to be a trial and q handicap.
His comrades had refused him any
assistance on the homeward journey.
They expressed a deep. hoarse con-
demnation of his conduct, and pre-
tended to consider that he had sacr1-
ftced all claims to their friendship and
regard.
Branch took this seriously. and he
was in a state bordering upon desper-
alton when he reached camp. In the
hope Of unloading his unwelcome bur-
den upon Norine Evans he hurried
directly to her tent But Norine had
heard the story: Lopez had warned
her; therefore she waved him away.
Don't ask me to mother your stolen
child" she said.
"oh. but you've got to-" he declared
In a panic. You've just got to-"
well. I won't. In the first place.
1 have a sick man in MY tent"
But look! Listen! This baby dis
likes me. I've nearly dropped It a
dozen times. lin going to leave
it, anyhow"
But Norine remained nrm IN her
refusal. You sha'n't leave your
founding at my door II you intend
to steal babies you should make up
your mind to take care of them. {"
She was itching to seize the hungry
I little mite. but she restrained the i'm
pulse. Go ahead and keep II amused
until the COW arrives" she told him.
| Keep II amused Amuse a starving
brat" tragically cried the man. In
Heavens name, how?"
why. play with IT, cuddle II, give
1t your watch-anything! But don't
allow 1t TO cry-it may injure itself"
Branch glared resentfully: then he
changed his tactics and began TO
plead. "oh. Norine!" he implored.
| "I-just can't do it. I'm all tagged
out now. and. besides, I've got the
only watch in camp that keeps time.
I didn't sleep any last night, and il II
keep me awake all tonight. It's a
nice baby. really. 1t needs a
woman"
Norine parted the haps Of her tent
and pointed inside. where Esteban
Varona lay upon her cot His eyes
were staring; bis lips were moving.
Mrs. Ruiz and will have our hands
full with that poor chap. For all we
know, he may have some contagious
disease"
Branch was utterly shameless, ut
terly selfish and uncompassionate.
I'm sick. too-sicker than he is. Have
a heart, Remember. risked my life
to get you something nice to eat
Yes. The most ridiculous proce-
dure / ever heard Of. What ever mace
ing with him as long as he would
you do such a crazy thing?" Norine
was honestly indignant now.
Il did it for you. II seems TO me
that the least you can do in return
The least, and the most / can &c
is to try and save this poor mans
life" she firmly reasserted. Now run
along. I'd take the baby IL could
but ! simply can't"
1t II die on me-" Branch protested
Nonsense: It's the healthiest little