St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1922-11-25
CHAPTER V
A Desert Rose.

IS When Dick lay down that night he
was duly conscious of pain and head
ache-that he did not feel well. De
suite this, and mind thronging with
memories and anticipations, he sue
cumbed to WEAKNESS and soon fell
asleep.
1t was light when he awoke, but
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
j he essayed to lift his right arm, an
excruciating pain made him desist
Then he discovered that his arm was
badly swollen, and the hand had
burst Its bandages The injured men,
Der was red, angry, inflamed, and
twice its normal size. He felt hot all
over, and raging headache con-
sumed him.
Bedding came stamping into the
room.
"HelIo, Dick. Do you know it's
iate? How's the busted fist this
morning?"
Dick tried to sit up, but his effort
was failure He got about half up.
then felt himself weakly sliding back
Il guess-I'm pretty sick" he said.
He saw Bedding lean over him, feel
his face, and speak. and then every
thing seemed to drift. not into dark
ness, but into some region where he
had dim perceptions Of gray moving
things, and of voices that were re-
mote Then there came an interval
when all was blank. When he again
Enclosed his eyes the room was sunny,
and cool with 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 pol
soning," said Bedding. "But my wife
thinks the dangers past. You'll have
to rest that arm for While.'
Ladd and Jim came peeping In at
the door.
"Come in, boys. He can have COM
pany-the more the better-if It'll
keep him content. He mustn't move,
that's ALL"
The cowboys entered, slow, easy,
cool, kind-voiced.
"Shore it's tough" said Ladd, after
he had greeted Dick. "You look used
up" ..a-.... .v.#.
Jim Lash wagged his half-bald,
mnburned head "Musta been more'n
+ tough for Roias"
Gale, Laddy tells me one Of our
neighbors, fellow named Carter, is
going to Caslta," put in Bedding.
Here's chance to get word to your
friend the soldier" ="
"Oh, that will be finel" exclaimed
Dick. II declare I'd forgotten
Thorne. How is Miss Casta.
i media? 1 hope
"She's all right, Gale Been up and
around the patio for two days. She
Z and Nell made friends at once. III
call them in"
Both girls came in, Mercedes lead
Ing. Like Nell, she wore white, and
she had red rose in her hand. She
u was swift, impulsive in her move
ments to reach Dicks side.
Senior, am so sorry you were
iil--so happy you are better"
. Dick greeted her offering his LEFT
hand, gravely apologiz:ng for the fac
i mat, owing to q late fnfirmity, NJ
could not offer the right. Her smile
eSquisitely combined sympathy, graft
tude, admiration. Then Dick spoke
4 70 Nell, likewise offering his hand
q which she took shyly. Her reply wa!
8 a mnrmurcd, unin:elligible one; but
her eyes We're glad, and the tint II
her checks threatened to rival tn
nue. of the rose she carried.
Presently Dick remembered tt
speak of the matter Of getting new!
. to Thorne.
Senior, may I write to him? VIII
someone take a letter? =.
Shall hear from h)m!" she said; ant
# her white ha1sls emphasized he
words.