Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-03-01
CHAPTER v
A Desert Rose.

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 awole, 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, indamed, and
twice its normal size. He felt hot all
over, and a raging headache con-
sumed him.
Belding came stamping into the
room.
Hello, Dick. Do you know it's
date? How's the busted fist this
morning?"
Dick tried to sit up. but his effort
was a 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 be 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 10 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"
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, kind-voiced.
'ShoreN 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 fneI" exclaimed
Dick. 81 declare I'd forgotten
Thorne. How is Miss Casta-
media? 1 hope"
f"She's all right, Gale. Been up and
around the patio fer two days. She
and Nell made friends at once I'll
cali them in"
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.
"Senor, I am so sorry you were
also happy you are better"
Dick greeted her, offering his left
hand, graveIy apologizing for the fact
that, owing to a late infrmity, 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 shyIy. Her reply was
a 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 I write to him? VIII
someone take a letter? I
shall hear from him p she said; and
her white hands emphasized her
words.
"Assuredly. I guess poor Thorne
is almost crazy. I'll write to him. :. i.
No, l can't with this crippled hand"
"Thatll be all right, Gale" said
Bedding. 'Nell will write for you
She writes all my letters.
So Bedding arranged it; and Merce-
des flew away to her room to write,
while Nell fetched pen and paper and
seated herself beide Gales bed to
e3ke his dictation.
What with watching Nell and try
.ng to catch her glance, and listening
10 Belongs talk WI the cowboys,
,1zek VISA hard put to 1t to dictate