The Mena weekly star., 1919-02-06
(Continued from last week.)
 CHAPTER XIV.
NorIne Takes charue.

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 was permanently affected. It 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 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 1; then in her brisk, matter-of-fact way she directed O'Reilly to go and get some much-needed rest. Esteban was ih, 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'Reilly that nature has blessed way of building up a resist. ance to environment As 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 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."
 q dare say he won't be able to talk to me today" O'Reilly ventured.
 "Not 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. sHe might drop word about Rosa"
 "To 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 jumbled and quite unintelligible."
 
 It was balmy languid morning about two weeks after O'Reilly's re- turn to the City Among the Leaves. In a hammock swung between two trees Hsteban varona lay. listening to the admonitions of his nurse.
 Johnnie O'ReIlly had just bade them both hearty good morning and now Norine was saying; "One 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 if 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 Vhite teeth gleamed and his hollow face lit up
 "She brings me new life" he told O'Reilly. "She is so strong, so healthy. So full of life herself. She is wonder fv'l When I first saw her bending over ne thought I was dreaming. Some times, even yet. I think she cannot be real. But she Is, eh?'
 "She is quite substantial" O'Reilly smiled. Ali the sick fellows talk as you do."
 Esteban looked up quickly; his face uarkened. "She-er-nurses others, en2 I'm not the only oneT
 Well, hardly"
 There was brief pause; then Este. pan shifted his position and his tone changed. "Tell me, have you heard any news?"
 Not yet, but we will hear some be- lore long I'm sure"
 Your faith does as much for me as tnis iady's care. But when you go away, when I'm alone, when begin to think"
 Don't think too much; don't permit seurself to doubt" O'Reilly 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 ant what yo1 might have to tell me"
 lou know all that I know now and everything that has happened to me-" T don't know how you came to be In eel in San Antonio de los Banos, two sundred niles from the place you were Aineu. That is still mystery" It IS very simple, amigo. Let me
 ee' l had finished telling you about i'e nght at La Joya. was telling you now tainted. Some good people found ne few hours after lost conscious sess They supposed I had been at ~cked by guerrillas md left for dead. .inoing that still had life In me, they s, Sok me home with them. They were friends from Matanzas by the aame of valdes--cultured people who aao lied the city and were hiding in the anlgua like the rest of us." Not Valdes, the notaryf" IA. ine very same. Alberto valdes and A Tour daughters. Heaven guided 10 me. Alberto was an old man {; V. had hard work s., provide food for .A s s,ris. Nevertheless, he refused to ss.. sandon me. Oh. they were faithful, auent peoplei You see, I had walked 4 .ss instead of west. and now [ was