Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-11-02
Copyright. 1917. Harper Bros.
CHAPTER w (COntinued)

CONSTANT brooding over the treasure
" had long since affected Dona Isabel's
brain. and as a consequence she often
dreamed about 1t. She dreamed about 1t
again tonight, and strangely enough, her
dreams were pleasant. Sebastian APP
peared, but for once he neither cursed nor
threatened her, and Estaban, when he
came was again the lover who had
eourted her in Habana. 1t was all very
wonderful, very exciting, very real. Dona
Isabel found herself robed for him in her
wedding.gown Of white, and realized that
she was beautiful. 1t seemed also as II
her powers Of attraction were magically
enhanced for she exercised a potent in.
nuence over him. Her senses were quick
ened thousandfold, too. For instance,
she could see great distances--a novel
and agreeable sensation; she enjoyed
strange unsuspected perfumes; she heard
tho music Of distant waterfalls and un-
cerstood tho whispered language of the
preeze It was amazing. delightful. Este
pan and she were walking through the
grounds Of the quinta and he was telling
her about his casks of Spanish sovereigns.
about those boxes bound with iron. about
the gold and silver ornaments OF heaven
( " beauty and the pearls as large as
plums. AS he talked. Isabel felt herself
uow hot and cold with anticipation; she
experienced spasms Of delight. She felt
that she must dance, must run, must cast
her arms aloft in ecstasy. Never had she
experienced SO keen an intoxication Of
JOY as now, while Esteban was leading
ner toward the treasure and wooing her
with youthful ardor,
lsabePs Agony
Then Of a sudden Isabel's whole dream
world dissolved. She awoke, or thought
sne did, at hearing her name shouted.
Sut although she underwent the mental
ana the physical shock of being startled
lom slumber, although she felt the first
swift fright Of a person aroused to
strange surroundings, she knew on the
instant that she must still be asleep; for
Uerything about her was dim and dark.
me air was cold and damp, wet grass rose
y her knees. It flashed through her mind
uAt she simply had been whirlsd from a
peasant dream into one OF terror. AS she
fought with herself to throw on the
.uusion OF this nightmare its reality be.
e.ine overwhelming. Warning. incongru-
su' sensations, far too swift for her mind
compass. were crowded into the minut.
~ traction Of time. Before she could
~ realize her own condition she felt
-sasei plunged into space. Now the SEN
--s'on OF falling was not strange to Isabel
= common to all sufferers from night.
-'s--neVertheless. she experienced the
go OF horror such as she had never
ss''eu' She heard herself scream
Sa'sely' feaFfully. and knew, too late.
sne was indeed awake. Then
-"'rnnE chaos--a sudden, blindihg crash
nsnts and sounds--nothing morei
~ neoan Verona sat until late hour
u " night over a letter which required
utmost care in It's composition. II
~ written upon the thinnest Of paper.
@ when II was finished the writer In
t.,.-, ..a y In an envelope Of the same ma
,,. Esteban put the letter in his
.'' without addressing Il. Then he
,..nsulshed HIS light tiptoed TO the door
,'.'''ng ~ bis and Rosa's rooms. ana lis-
~ sound whatever came to his