The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1922-12-21
CHAPTER V
A Desert Rose.

A Desert Rose.
When Dick lay down that night he
was duly conscious Of pain and hend.
:ache-that he did not feel we'll. De.
spite this. and Il mind thronging with
memories and anticipations he sue.
cumhed to wcarineSs and soon fell
asleep.
1t was light when he uwokc, but
q strange brightness seen through
what seemed blurred eyes. A mo-
ment passed before his mind worked
clearly and then he had to make an
effort to think. He was dizzy. When
he cssayed to lift his right arm, an
eNcrucaling pain made him dcslst.
Then he discovered that his arm was
badly swollen, and the hand had
burst its bandagcs. The injured mem
ber was red, angry. innamcd, and
twice its normal size. He felt hot all
over, and a raging headache con
sumcd him.
Bedding came stamping into the
room.
"Hcllo, Dick. DO you know it's
late? IIow's the busted fist this
mornng?"
Dick tried to sit up, but his effort
was failure. He got about half up.
then felt himself weakly sliding back.
II gucss--Tm pretty Sick" he said
He saw Bplding lean over him, feel
his face. and speak. and then every
Ching seemed to drift. not into dark
ness. but into some region where he
had dim perceptions Of gray movin.
things, and Of voices that were re.
mote. 1'lcp there came an interval
when all was blank. When he again
uncloscd his eyes the room was sunny,
and cool with Il fragrant breeze that
blew through the open door. Dick
felt better; but he had no particular
desire to move or talk or eat.
On the next day he was very much
improved
"We've been afraid of blood poi
soning," said Bedding. "But my wife
thinks the dangers past. You'll have
to rest that arm for a while"
La1d and jim came peeping in at
the door.
"Come in. boys. He can have com
pany-the more the bcttcr-if it'll
keep him content. He mustn't move.
that's ALL"
The cowboys entered. slow, easy,
cool. kind-voccd.
"Shorc it's tough" said Lndd, after
he had greeted Dick. "You look used
up"
jim Lash waggcd his half-bald
sunburned head. "Musta been more'n
tough for Roins."
"Gale. Laddy tells me one of our
neighbors, fellow named Carter. is
going to Casita," put In Beldng.
Here's chance to get word to your
friend the soldier"
"Oh, that will he Gne!" exclaimed
DICK. II declare I'd forgotten
Thorne. How is Miss Casta-
media? hope"
shes all right, Gale. Been up and
around the patio for two days. She
and Nell made friends at once. ri
call them in"
Both girls came in, Mercedes lead.
Ing Like Nell, she wore white, ana
she had red rose In her hand She
"Ra S"' impulsivc In her move
'NahH (" "'ch Dicks side.
'nN'1 am SO sorry you were
H o h@,"f you are better"
ted her, Offering his left
aad 81 apologlzIng for the fact
to late inArmity, he
'".ia FER the right. Her smile
'exquis,,e., combined sympathy, graft.
tude. admiration. Then Dick smoke
to Nell, likewise Offering his hand,
which she took shyly Her reply was
n murmured, unintelligible one: but
her eyes were glad. and the tint in
her cheeks threatened to rival the
hue OF the rose she carried
PRESENTLY Dick remembered to
speak Of the matter of getting news
to Thorne.
"Senor, may write to him? WI,
someone take a letter? !
shall hear from himl" she said; and
her white hands emphasized her
"wcTds.