But Branch's very cheerfulness worried him; it
seemed to betoken that the fellow was sicker than he would
confess.
That evening O'Reilly anticipated his dinner engagement by a few
moments in order to have a word alone with Alvarado.
"I've seen Enriquez," he told the doctor, "but he won't promise to
send me through. He says the Junta is besieged by fellows who want
to fight for Cuba--and of course I don't. When I appealed in
Rosa's name he told me, truthfully enough, I dare say, that there
are thousands of Cuban women as badly in need of succor as she. He
says this is no time for private considerations."
"Quite so!" the doctor agreed. "We hear frightful stories about
this new concentration policy. I--can't believe them."
"Oh, I guess they are true; it is the more reason why I must get
back at once," O'Reilly said, earnestly.
"This lady who is coming here to-night has influence with
Enriquez. You remember I told you that she has contributed
liberally. She might help you."
"I'll implore her to put in a word for me. Who is she?"
"Well, she's my pet nurse--"
"A nurse!" O'Reilly's eyes opened wide. "A nurse, with MONEY! I
didn't know there was such a thing."
"Neither did I. They're rarer even than rich doctors," Alvarado
acknowledged. "But, you see, nursing is merely Miss Evans's
avocation.
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