Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-09-15
CHAPTER x.
A Little Cuban Beauty.

on the way up OblSpO street JACK
changes his mind. and asks his com
pan!on with regard to other hotels
than the one on the Prado, since In
all probability Senor Roblado will con-
duct his little company thither upon
landing. and however happy Jack
might be To sleep under the same roof
as the fair maid OF Scotia. he realizes
that such thing may involve dis
covcry. and set back their plans.
Smithers appears to hesitate, ns
though revolving something In his
mind.
II might risk IT," he says. softly.
Come. sing out what you think"
urges Jack.
LET me give the driver nm address,"
continues Job. as though he has de-
cidcd.
So their route IN changed. and pres.
entity they plunge Into another street,
where new scenes attract nttcntion.
All Sin smiles to see the familiar signs
OF Chinese inundrIcs. while Jack pokcs
his head out to watch the most
astonishing delivery OF fresh milk on
record. the COW being driven to the
door OF each customer. aud the quaint.
~ desired extracted on the spot. with
no question ms TO Its purity.
Noticing their tortuouH coarse.
Jack is beginning to show some curl.
osi'y with regard Ia their destination.
whcrcupon SmlthcrE proceeds to al.
tighten him In manner that only
serves to whct the appetite OF TEaycEs
for mystery.
II am going to the house OF n friend
who will welcome you. because he II
under obligations to me. More than
this cannot say just now. but in
,imc may tell you n strange story con
corning my former adventures In this
mad town. All | ask IL. that should
you at any timc. while under this
friends roof. notice anything that
strikes you ms singular. you will make
no remark"
or course Jack at once promises,
though the fact remains that his curl.
oHity has been moro than ever aroused
by Jobs words.
Suddenly the vehicle brings up: they
have arrived at their destination.
Remain seated little until I sec
my friend and tell him OF your com
ing
So saying the agent springs out and
pnsscs some words In Spanish with
the driver.
Jack secs him open door In n
high wall. and is struck with the fact
that Smithcrs appears to be quite n,
home.
Presently he appears again. No
one could tell from his solemn face
whether he carries good news or bad:
at funeral or wedding the sphinx
would appear the same.
ITS all right. sir. Driver drop the
luggage: and here's nm extra bit of
silver for the delay"
Once beyond the door IN the wall.
Jack finds himself In n garden. Flow.
crs glcam amid the green foliage. and
their rich fragrance scents the air
Come. this Is something like Paradise.
only for the everlasting ficas that In.
habit the sandy soil and persist In
making life miserable for the stranger
within the gates.
Smithers takes him into the house
with familiarity that proclaims his
acquaintance with the place. a few
black servants hit about. but no mas.
ter appears. Jack is n poor hand at
asking questions. and prefers to walt
until II is his comrades pleasure TO
lift the curtain. At meal time they
will doubtless be made acquainted
with the kind owner.
All Sin has given over the luggage
to couple of stout blacks. who ap.
pear to be dressed in something like
livery. Really they must have hap.
pened into the palace Of nabob.
Smithers must have had swell ac-
quaintances when in Havana. Per.
haps his name is not Smithers at all
that might be name assumed for the
the purpose OF hiding his identity.
Can the strange story he has half
promised to tell have some connection
with this land Of paradise? One can
easily imagine any romantic tale when
surrounded by such an atmosphere.
Jack has changed his garb and
made himself look quite attractive:
like some men. he has the knack OF
doing It. with n figure Apollo might
envy, thick curly hair. and careless
way of knotting the flowing tie that
somehow or other attracts admir,ng
glances. especially from female eyes.
Just now Jack is not caring n plea.
yune about any damsel on earth other
than Jessie Cameron.
Perhaps that is Just why Fate pleas.
es to bring him in contact with a
counter irritant.
Tiring # waiting for Smithers. and
being title G .'ous. Jack stcfs out