The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-12-21
CHAPTER V
A Desert Rose,

OeSerk nose.
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 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 IA
effort to think. IIe was dizzy. When
he essayed to T., 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 mem.
Der was red, angry, inhamed, an6
twice its normal size. He felt hot all
over, and raging headache con.
sumed hin.
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 failure. He got about half up,
then felt himself weakly sliding back.
Il guess-rm 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 poi
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. klnd.voiced.
ashore it's tough" said Ladd, after
he had greeted Dick. "You look used
up
Jim Lash wagged his half-bald,
sunburned head. "Musta been more'n
tough for Rojas.'
"Gale, Laddy tells me one OF our
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" exclaimed
Dick. 81 declare I'd forgotten
ThOrne. How Is Miss Casta-
media? hope"
"She's all right, Gale. Been up and
| around the patio for two days. She
and Nell made friends at once. I'll
call them ln.'
Both girls came in. Mercedes lead.
ing. Like Nell, she wore white, and
she had a red rose In her hand. She
was swift, impulsive in her move
ments to reach Dicks side.
"Sener, l am 50 sorry you were
ill-so happy you are better"
Dick greeted her, offering his left
hand, gravely apologizing for the fact
that, owing to a late infrmity. he
could not offer the right. Her smile
| exouisitely combined sympathy, graft
tude, admiration. Then Dick spoke
to Nell, likewise offering his hand,
which she took shyly. Her reply was
murmured, unintelligible one; but
her eyes were glad, and the tint 10
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 I write to him? VIII
someone take 4 letter.
shall hear from him." she said; and
her white hands emphasized hel
words.
"Assuredly. guess poor Thorne
IL almost crazy. I'll write to him. -.
No, I can't with this crippled hand.
"That'll be all right. Gale sale
Beldlng. "Nell will write tor you
She writes all my letters
So Belding arranged It; and Merce
des flew away to her room to write
while Nell fetched pen and paper alic
seated herself beside Gales bed t
take his dictation. :
What with watching Nell and try
ing to catch her glance, and listening
to Belongs talk with the cowboys
Dick was hard put to 1t to dictate
any kind Of q credltable letter. Mel
met bio gaze once, then % more