He could learn nothing about
the Junta's plans, and, owing to his complete uncertainty, he was
unable to get work. Leslie Branch, too, failed to find steady
employment, though he managed, by the sale of an occasional
column, to keep them both from actual suffering. His cough,
meanwhile, grew worse day by day, for the spring was late and raw.
As a result his spirits rose, and he became the best of all
possible good companions. Johnnie, who was becoming constantly
more fond of him, felt his anxiety increase in proportion to this
improvement in mood; it seemed to him that Branch was on the very
verge of a collapse.
At last there came a message which brought them great joy.
Enriquez directed them to be in readiness to leave Jersey City at
seven o'clock the following morning. Neither man slept much that
night.
As they waited in the huge, barn-like station Enriquez appeared
with Norine Evans upon his arm. The girl's color was high; she was
tremulous with excitement. Leslie Branch, who saw her for the
first time, emitted a low whistle of surprise.
"Glory be! That goddess!" he cried. "And I called her a 'poor old
soul'!"
When Norine took his bony, bloodless hand in her warm grasp and
flashed him her frank, friendly smile, he capitulated instantly.
In hyperbolical terms he strove to voice his pleasure at the
meeting; but he lost the thread of his thought and floundered so
hopelessly among his words that Norine said, laughingly:
"Now, Mr.
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