The herald., 1898-07-10
Ohe Ookens of Douno 1ne<
II Story of Cuban Lite


twas the most troublesome of rebels, pos
sessed of wonderfully persuasive powers of
speech, the idol of the country people and
who every day made new recruits to the
rebel cause. His home was known to be
somewhere In the mountains but although
many attempts had been made by the gov
eminent to capture him, they had SO far
proved futile. At Dona Inez' mention of
him Oliver started, but she held up her hand
impatiently.
| wait" she said. II will tell you. Last
winter 1 visited my cousin, Bonita Sepul-
veda. 1t is dull in the country, as you konw
and Bonita is but child. l rode much. al
ways alone. One day I met cabalero in
the road. He was handsome. 1 wearied.
After that we rode together, letting him
think me the daughter of a ranchero, he
| saying that he was gentleman of Mexico
For the only time in my life, 1 stopped to
folly and gave him opal ring and por-
trait of myself painted on ivory. Why not?
He amused me. When I left thought that
would be the end. But behold he. is the
rebel de Cuyas, and twice 1 have received
| letters from him saying that he is mad
with love of me, and if / do not marry him
| he will come to the town and carry me off, If
were the daughter of God himself, show
ing the ring and picture to all in proof that
he has the right
"But has hep" questioned Oliver sternly.
She raised her head proudly. "Who says
SO. lies" she answered. "As said, it was
| a folly. Without the tokens he would appear
| q mailman; with them he Is most dangerous.
All would listen, some believe. He is rebel,
| / am loyal. My God! can you not see! You
can save me. There is price on his head"
| II do not kill for money" he said, abb
ruptly turning away, but she placed her
hand on his arm.
But for me?" she whispered. Bring me
only the tokens; l care not how you get
them, and ask of me what you will"
She stood close to him, the moonlight
drifting over her pearl sewn satin gown and
glancing on her white shoulders. Oliver S
bad angel had been in the ascendant all day
and his mood was evil and bitter. He looked
her full in the eyes and laughed recklessly.
What I will?" he questioned. Eyes, I will
save you, but trust no woman Beware
you do not fool me. Ten days from now you
shall have what you WISH
He turned and left her standing there
alone, a triumphant smile curling her lips,
as she heard his footsteps echo down the
moonlit street.
All night Carter Oliver did no. draw rein
and the rising sun found him at the hacienda
of his friend, Senior Gonzales, where, giving
short answers to the few questions put to
him, he left his tired horse and took fresh
one. All day he rode through wild savannas,
covered with luxuriant vegetation, the hot
sun Of the tropics beating fiercely down
upon him. AT sunset he turned inland
| toward the mountains, looking sharply to
right and left, as the ascent grew sleeper
and the canyons deeper, for somewhere
among the hills Cuyas was supposed to be
hidden.
Oliver had formed no plans as to what he
was to do when he met the man he was
seeking. All he knew was that his word
had been passed and must be redeemed at
fanny cost. He determined that he would not
kill him save at the last extremity. He
cared nothing for the promises of the gov
eminent, but he had sworn to save the
Senorta de Quesadas honor, and it must
be done.
A large dog, running out at him barking
foused him sharply, and he drew rein see
Ing dimly through the trees, for twilight had
fallen, small adobe house. He could stop
there for the night, he thought. and by some
cautious inquiries might, perhaps, learn
something to his advantage. So, turning in
at the clearing, he knocked at the barred
door.
1t was opened by girl, who. in answer to
his request for nights lodging. half doubt
fully bade him enter. AS he stepped over
the Threshold, bending his head for the
door was low, he saw lying on the floor an
open book which bore on the flyleaf the
name "Dego Manuel de Cuyas." Controlling
start of surprise, he sat down to wait
while his supper was being prepared.
That he was in the house of the man he
sought he did not doubt and a carefully
worded conversation with the girl, whom he
discovered to be Cuyas' sister, proved that
his surmse was correct. He determined
therefore, to remain as long as possible in
the place, sure that by watching closely he
could obtain an interview with Cuyas him
self, who could not be far off.
But an unlocked for obstacle rose to con-
front him. He SOON learned that Camilla
although the most ardent of patriots, was
unaware of her brothers movements. AS
soon as she knew that her guest was an
American she answered all he asked with
out reserve, but she could tell him little.
Still he fingered, he scarcely knew why.
The soft beauty and childlikeness of Camilla
acteQ ike palm 10 MS urea nerves. UHllke
the Dona Inez, she was small and delicately
formed. reaching hardly to his shoulder.
Her dark eyes seemed always looking for
love- and her red mouth had a pathetic
droop. 1. seemed as il a harsh word must
crush her, yet she was brave since for the
greater part of the time she was alone, save
for the company of an old servant.
1t was easy for Oliver to see that poverty
was not a stranger to this house. for all,
even the food, was of the simplest, but
everything, with tha usual Spanish hos
pitality, was placed at his service while he
chose to remain. Her father, Camilla told
him, had been Spanish officer, who had
loved Cuba "too WELL" and that was all she
ever said Her brother was her idol, and as
she grew more confidential she told Oliver
that he trusted her to such an extent that
he had given into her care the ring of his
sweetheart bidding her guard it with her
life. She added wistfully that she had never
seen the woman whom her brother loved
but hoped that he might be happy. Oliver
could scarcely repress a sardonic smile at
the thought of the Dona Inez and Cuyas
welded and happy. but it faded soon enough
as Camilla offered to show him the Jewel
| and drew from her bosom Inezs ring Here
was half of what he sought. He had only
to reach out his hand and take 1t, but, al
though 1t hung on slight ribbon around
a girls neck, it was guarded from him
more surely than if surrounded by the whole