The Mena weekly star., 1919-04-10
"Esteban, Dear, pIl Never, Never
 Leave Youl"

"Esteban, Dear, pll Never, Never
 Leave Youl"
 and then and the government will see that you are put safely aboard the first ship that returns. I'll manage to get well somehow"
 Norine's color had returned. She stood over the hammock, looking dowI aistily. Don't you need me, want ID, any more?" she inquired.
 Esteban turned his tired eyes away, fearing to betray in them his utter wretchedness. You have done all there Is to do. want you to go back Into your own world and forget"
 A sudden impulse seized the girl. She stopped and gathered the sick man into her young, strong arms. Don't be silly" she cried. My world is your world, Esteban dear. I'll never never leave you"
 Miss Evansl Noriner varona tried feebly to free himself. "You mustn't-"
 Norine drew him closer. You're go- ing to tell me that you have notbing. can offer me nothing. You're going to do the generous, noble thing. Well hate generous people. I'm selfish, utter ly selfish and spoiled, and don't pro pose to be robbed of anything I want, least of all my happiness. You do love me. don't your
 Esteban's cry was eloquent; he clasped his arms about her and she held him fiercely to her breast.
 Were quite mad, quite insane" he told her after a while. "This only makes 1t harder to give you up.'
 You're not going to give me up and you're not going to die. I sha'nt let you. Think what you have to live for"
 "I-did wrong to surrender"
 'It was I who surrendered. Come ! Must say 1t all2 Aren't you going to ask me-
 "What?'
 "Why. to marry you, of course. We're going to be married, and I'm go- ing to take you out of this miserable place."
 What happiness 1" he murmured. If I were we'll But I won't let you marry a dying man."
 Norine rose, her face aglow with new strength, new determination. T 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 I sha'n't consult you"
 She turned, for a figure had dark ened the door: 1t was one of her Eng lish-speaking convalescepts who was acting as a sort of orderly.
 "Senorita,r the man said, with flash of white teeth, "we have another sick man, and you'd never guess who. 1t is that American, Fl Demonlo--"
 'Ts he sick or woundedf" Esteban inquired.
 "Shot by a Spanish bullet. He asked at once for our senorita."
 "Of 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 I please" she said; then she fled down the grassy street.
 Branch was waiting at Norine's quarters, soiled figure of dejection. Ills left arm lay in sling across hls 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"
 Norine paused in astonishment- "Why, Lesliel was so frightened But--you can't be badly hurt"
 Bad enough so that Lopez sent me in. A fellow gets fiyblown if he stays in the field, so beat it."
 sHas your arm been dressedT'
 "No. wouldn't let these rough-and- tumble doctors touch 1t. They'd ampu- tate at the shoulder for hangnail. don't trust 'em."
 sThen I'll look at 1t"
 .Tt doesn't hurt, really" he declared. "Tt's only a scratch"
 sThen behave yourself" Norine forced the patient into chair and withdrew hts arm from the sling. Then, despite his weak resistance, she deftIy 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.
 sIesliei' she exclaimed. "What in the world"
 Branch struggled with himself, he swallowed hard, then said: You can see now why didn't go to doctor; l did it--shot myself. You won't give me awayT
 Norine seated herself weakly; she stared in bewilderment at the unhappy speaker. Afraid? You, El Demonio 1 Why. you aren't afraid of anything ]"
 "Sayi You don't believe all that stuff. do your I'm afraid of my shadow