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Esteban poised, petrified, upon his elbow, his face was a study "What have you arranged?" he er upon his lips "The guest of the Republic is to beout in her honor They are shaving and borrowing clean shirts for the occasion The Minister of Justice has a brand-new pair of tan shoes and he has promised to wear them, come rain or shine"

"NORINE! Oh, my dear--" quavered the sickThink! I'oing ahen the very next expedition arrives"

But still Varona protested "No, no! Who aive I'iving! I've never told you, Esteban, but I' the man away, she sht to be I had no need to come to Cuba; it was just the whie amount of money to the New York Junta and that's why I was allowed to come"

"You're not a--a trained nurse?"

"Oh, dear, no! Except when it ae!" The invalid was dazed, but after a moment he shook his head "It is hard to say this, but I don't knohether you really love reat heart has been touched You have learned s, and perhaps think in this way to hly selfish and ue about it" Norine tenderly enfolded the weak figure in her aret well or--I shall die, too"

"I haven't the strength to refuse," Esteban ht have I to accept happiness and leave Rosa--"

This was a subject which Norine dreaded, a question to which she knew no answer She was not in a mood to discuss it, and made no attempt to do so Instead, she laid the invalid upon his pillow, saying: "Leslie is waiting to wish you joy and a quick recovery May I ask him in?"

She stepped to the door, only to behold her late coreat haste and evident excitement Surprised, offended, she checked her impulse to call hiht and stared after hi between the drunken rows of grass huts was a little knot of people Even as Norine watched it grew into a considerable crowd, forfroures in the lead, a ly, as if weary fro march