, 1922-12-27
cHAPTER v
A Desert Rose.

When Dick lay down that night he
was DULY conscious of pain and head
ache-that he did not feel well. De
spite this, and a 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
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, infiamed, and
twice its normal size. He felt hot all
over, and a raging headache con-
sumed him.
Bedding came stamping into the
room.
"Hello. Dick. Do you know It's
late? How's the busted fist this
morning?"
Dick tried to sit up, but his effort
was g failure HA got about half up,
theI felt himself we...I;J ,Iiding back.
Il guess-I'm pretty Sick" he said.
He saw Bedding lean over him, feel
mis- 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 a 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 xxi 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"
Laid 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. k~ind-voiced.
Shore it's tough" said Ladd, after
he had greeted Dick. you look used
up"
Jim Lash wagged his half-bald,
sunburned head. "Musta beer more'n
tough for Rojas.'
"Gale. Laddy tells me n of u
%neighbors, fellow named Carter, is
going to Casita," put In Bedding.
Here's a chance to get word to your
friend the soldier"
"Oh, that will be fine I" exclaimed
Dick. ." declare I'd forgotten
Thorne. -. How is Miss Casta-
neda? hope"
"she's ali right. Gale. Been up and
around the patio for two days. She
and Nell made friends at nee. I'll
call them In"
Both girls came In, Mercedes lead
Ing. Like Nell. she wore white, and
she had o red rose in her hand. She
was swift, impulsive In her move
ments to reach Dicks side.
"Senor, l am so sorry you were
Ii--so happy you are better"
Dick greeted her. offering his left
land. gravely apologizing for the fact
that, owing to a late infirmity, he
could not offer the right. Her smile
exquisitely combined sympathy, graft
tude. admiration. Then Dick spoke
to Nell. likewise. offering his hand,
which she took shyly. Her reply was
n murmured. unlntelligible one; but
her eyes we're 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 him7 VIII
someone take n letter. 1
Ihall hear from him !" she said and
Ter Wits hands emphasized her
Words