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O'Reilly forestalled an outburst by translating his countryua con hielo," said he, and the attendant was all apologies

"So, you speak the lingo?"of it Don't like it Don't like anything Spanish Hell of a country, isn't it? where the ice is 'YELLOW' and the butter is 'MEANT TO KILL YOU,' and does"

O'Reilly laughed "You've been studying a guide-book, 'with colossary of Spanish phrases' By the way, Carbajal said you are a writer"

Mr Branch nodded listlessly "I'm supposed to report this insurrection, but the Spaniards won't lettired of the farce"

"Going home?"

"Don't dare" The speaker tapped his concave chest "Bu for it to happen What brings you to Cuba?"

"I'm here for my health, too" The real invalid stared "I have rheu to do but sweat"--Branch was racked by a coughing spash Bullets! No ained his breath he said: "See here! I' to take a chance with you, for I like your looks My newspaper work is a bluff: I don't send enough stuff to keep s, and--I want you to help me do it"

O'Reilly stared at theme with you"

"With me? Where?"

"To the Insurrectos, of course"

The men eyed each other fixedly "What ot a hunch! I don't knohat your game is--probably dynamite: there's a story that the rebels have sent for some American experts to teach them how to use the stuff, and God knows they need instruction! Anyhow, I can't s that rheu, will you?"

"And hoould that benefit your cough?" Johnnie inquired, curiously

Mr Branch hesitated "Well, I'll tell you," he said, after a moment "I'm afraid to die this way, by inches, and hours I'm scared to death" It seemed impossible that the sick man's cheeks could further blanch, but they beca of moisture appeared upon his upper lip "God! You've no idea how it gets on a fellow's nerves to see hi I'd like to end it suddenly, like that!" He voiced the last sentence abruptly and snapped his fingers "I've tried to bue! Funny, isn't it? Well, the doctors told me another New York winter would put ood See? So I decided to join the Cubans and--let a bullet do the trick I never did like the Spaniards--their cooking is too greasy Then, too, I'd like to have a thrill before I cash in--taste 'the salt of life,' as soame in the world What do you think of the idea?"