Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1923-01-19
cHAPTE v
A Desert Rose.


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
a 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 mem
Der was red. angry, infamed. and
twice It's normal size. He felt hot all
over, and a raging headache con-
sumed him.
Bedding came stamping into the
room.
"HeHo, 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.
81 guess-Tm 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.
"yve'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. kind-voiced.
"Shore It's tough" said Ladd, after
ne had greeted Dick. You look used
up"
Jim Lash wagged his half-bald.
sunburned head. "Musta been more'n
tough for Rojas."
Scale. 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 finer exclaimed |
Dick. 81 declare I'd forgotten
Thorne. How is Miss Casta- |
ueda7 I 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 In"
Both girls came In. Mercedes lend
Ing. Like Nell, she wore white. and
she had red rose In her hand. Sse
was swift, impulsiye IN her move
ments 10 reach Dicks side.
"Senor, l am SO sorry you were
iti-so happy you are better"
Dick greeted her. offering his Jeff
band, grayely apoIogi1ing for the fact
that, owing 60 late inhrnlfy. he
could DOT offer the right. Her smile
exqulslfely combined sympathy, grad.
Iade' admiration, Then Dick spoke
70 Nell, likewise offering his hand
Which she TOOK shgly Her reply Was
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rfeseply lhck remembered 10
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