The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1920-03-04
The TWICE AMERICAN
By ELEANol II. INGRAM

as the state settled into her place.
Hc preferred to live in stupor
Of memory that was half deliri-
um. He heard Nilo's brilliant
music and saw the young South
American turn his face to his
friend, head thrown back, eyes
laughing across the darkly CLINT
ing cSpanse, OF the piano. He
worked with Gil Granados in the
library, or sat at table with Noel.
Sometimes he fell into passions
of bitter anger with them all re-
preaching the friends who would
not yield him so much grace as
to hear what he might say, in his
own defense. He could forgive
David Noel. who had been kind
TO him, and believed the kindness
betrayed But Milo Faldez--he
had net #ranged Nile, even
were Meyer s story true. Surely
Milo might have come to Rio Ma
buco in some leisure days, or
have had some impulse of com
passion for man shut away in
hideous captivity without end !.
He knew he would have done so
much for Milo, in like case Or
Granados might have come!
Soon he would grow cold
again; would realize that Milo
the enthusiast might have for
given an migrate to himself, but
never would forgive an migrate
to Noel and deserter from the
cause of their countries. Nor
would the Marshal Granados
seek out the man who had stolen
and fled while he lay disabled
by sickness. In that mood, it
would seem to Bruce that of them
all, his best hope lay in the just
ice of David Noel-who might
give him a hearing
Gradually that hope became
the only shelter of his reason. He
lost hope of Milo Valdez, of
Granados. even of chance prov
ing his innocence. But he kept
the hope that Noel would not
abandon him to l33-year punish
ment without hearing him. Some
day, perhaps, when Noel CHANGED
to be riding that way, he would
turn aside and enter the prison.
Or Corey Bruce's name might
leap out of some page to his eyes,
as before. He knew of course,
that Meyers story must have
been implicitly believed. Other
wise, he would not be here.
One night he dreamed of the
first dinner when Benito stood
guard between the blue curtains.
His sick brain showed him the
company, showed him Noel offer
ing his hand across the orchid
heaped table. In his dream he
grasped at that hand, crying the
other man s name in desperation.
He could not make Noel hear,
although only the table was be-
tween them. He shouted, loud,
louder!
He start ted up with his voio77=
dying in his parched throat; a
strange, unkempt figure clad
only in ragged coat and trous-
ers. his black trimmed spectacles
in congruous on his unshaven
face. Manuel was at the bars,
holding up a light to stare into
the cell. A rate was gliding away
from the sudden glare.
Santa Maria!' grumbled the
iailer. What are you shouting
for, mani / heard you out in.
the road =
"senhor Ncel," stammered
Bruce, pressing his hand against
his forehead. 81 thought I saw
Senior Noel saw
aSenhor Noel, our Twice
American, herei This comes Of
not eating! Since the very ex-
cellent Senior general is gone
back to the north, how here! he
is one Of our republic s war COM
mission, gone to arrange great
matters with the Wilsonistas =
Bruce tried to stand up. Noel
had gone north again9 The last
hope was gone, then. He held
out his hand with a blind mem
DRY Of his dream, then tainted,
slipping off the cot face down
ward on the floor.
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