Jerome County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1919-1920, 1919-02-27

sick man, and you'd never guess who |
1t is that American, Ell Demonio-"
SIS he sick or wounded?" Esteban |
inquired.
"Shot by a Spanish bullet. He asked
at once for our senorlta."
"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
please" she said; then she fled down
the grassy street.
Branch was waiting at Norine's
quarters, soiled figure of detection.
His left arm lay in sling across his
breast. He looked up ut her approach.
but she scarcely recognized him, so
greatly changed was he.
Hello, Norine!" he cried. swell,
they got me-"
Norine paused in establishment.
"W'hy, Leslie l was so frightened
But-you can't be badly hurt"
"Bad enough so that Lopez sent me
in. A fellow gets flyblown If he stays
in the field, so 1 beat it,"
''Has your arm been dressed?"
mo. wouldn't let these rough-and-
tumble doctors touch it. They'd ampu-
tate at the shoulder for hangnail. I
don't trust EN-"
"Then I'll look at it,"
st doesn't hurt, really" he declared.
Its only a scratch"
"Then behave yourself" Norine
forced the patient into a chair and
withdrew his arm from the sling.
Then, despite his weak resistance, she
deftly 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.
"Lesliep' she exclaimed. "What In
the world"
Branch struggled with himself, he
swallowed hard, then said: you can
see now why 1 didn't go to a doctor; I
did it-shot myself. You won't give
me away7"
Norine seated herself weakly; she
stared in bewilderment at the unhappy
speaker afraid? You, FL Demonio ,
Why. you aren't afraid of anything %
"Sayl You don't believe all that
and always have been. I'm not brave
and never was. They told me 1 was
going to die and it scared me so that
l tried to end things quickly.
couldn't bear to die slowly. to know
that 1 was dying by inches. But, Lord
it scared me even worse to go into
battle. I was blind with fright all the
time and / never got over it. Why
the sight of q gun gives me chill. and
I jump every time one goes off. Lord
how I've suffered l went crazy at our
first engagement-crazy with fear.
didn't know where l was, or what hap
pened, or anything. Afterward. when
they hailed me as hero 1 thought
they were kidding, that everybody
must know how frightened l was
After time saw that I'd fooled them
and that shamed me. Then--I had t.
keep it up or become ridiculous. Bu
it nearly killed me-"
1t so happened that the presiden
I and well-nigh the entire provisional
cabinet were In Cubitas. Leslie ant
| Norine went directly to the former H,
:, promptly sent for the minister of Jus
tice, who In turn CALAMITY put himself
at Norine's disposal. In no time tn,
news had spread and there was sub
dued excitement throughout the camp
Norine was between tears and laughte
= when she ran painting into Estebant
cabin, leaving Branch to wait outside.
At sight of her Esteban uttered ,
e low cry Of happiness. dearest w,
Il been lying in stupor of delight TIL,
t world has become bright. 1 hear PEG
pie laughing. What changer
e 'Tve arranged everything The pres
q ident and his cabinet are coming t,
e witness the ceremony"
Esteban poised upon his elbow. hi.
:, face was a study. "What have you ar
r ranged?" he managed to inquire.
e "Sh-h" Norine laid a finger upor
o his lips. "The guest of the republic II
to be married today"
e "Norinel Oh, my dear" quaveret
o the sick man. 81 can't let you do thi
e mad thing. Think I'm ready for tn,
r grave"
II This will make you well. We're go
Ing away when the very next expedi
a ton arrives"
u Il haven't the strength to refuse
Esteban murmured. "And yet, how
J. can 1 leave Cuba? What right have
g. to accept happiness and leave Rosa
o This was a subject which Norm
dreaded, a question to which she knew
r no answer. She was not in mood t,
D. discuss 1t, and made no attempt to d.
t. SO. Instead, she laid the invalid upol
re his pillow, saying:
Leslie is waiting to wish you jo
lie and quick recovery. May 1 ask hin
lie inT
She stepped to the door, only to be
lie hold her late companion making OF
y down the village street in great hast
and evident excitement Approachin
ID between the drunken rows of gras
ct huts was little knot Of people. Eve
:" as Norine watched it grew into a cor
siderable crowd, for men and womel
81 and children came hurrying from thei