The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-04-03
CHAPTER v
A Desert Rose.

When DICK lay down that night ne
was DULY conscious of pain and head
ache-that he did not feel well. De
spite this, and a mind thronging with
memories and anticlpations, he sue
asleep.
II 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, inhamed, 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
later 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.
II guess-Tm pretty SICK" he said.
He saw Belding 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 Belding. "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.
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 oui
neighbors, fellow named Carter, IL
going to Casita," put In Belding
"Here's a chance to get word to your
friend the soldier"
"Oh, that will be finew exclaimed
Dick. II 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. III
call them In"
Both girls came In, Mercedes LEAD
ing. Like Nell, she wore white, ant
she had a red rose In her hand. She
was swift, impulsive In her move
ments to reach Dicks side.
"Senor, l. am 30 sorry you were
ill--so happy you are better"
Dick greeted her. offering his lef
hand, gravely apologizing for the fac
that, owing to a late infirmity, III
\ could not offer the right. Her smile
exquisitely combined sympathy, graft
rude, admiration. Then Dick spok'
to Nell, likewise offering his hand
which she took shyly. Her reply wa
4 murmured, unintelligible one; bu
her eyes we're glad, and the tint II
her cheeks threatened to rival th'
2 hue of the rose she carried.
Presently Dick remembered t.
speak of the matter Of getting new
70 Thorne.
"senor, may I write to himf VIII
someone take q letter.
uhalI hear from him r. she said; an'
her whirs hands smphasissd he
psrAs