Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-30

had told her frankly that they would
inherit whatever fortune he possessed.
The thought that, after all, she might
never share in the treasure for which
She had sacrificed her youth and
mad. and. as may be imagined. she
found ways to vent her spite upon the
twins. She widened her hatred so as
to include old Sebastian and his daugh-
ter. and even went SO far as to perse-
cute Evangelina's sweetheart, a slave
named Asensio.
1t had not taken Dona Isabel long to
guess the reason for Sebastian's many
privileges, and one of her first efforts
dence. It was in vain, however, that
she fiattered and cajoled. or storraed
and threatened: Sebastian withstood
her as towering ceiba withstands the
His frmness made her vindictive. and
so in time she laid a scheme to es-
TRANCE him from his master.
Dona Isabel was crafty. She began
to complain about Evangelina, but it
was only after many months that she
ventured to suggest to her husband
that he sell the girl Esteban, OF
course. refused point blank: he was too
fond of Sebastian's daughter. he de-
clared. to think of such a thing.
so that is It," sneered Dona Isabel.
Well. she is young and shapely and
handsome. as wenches go. I rather
suspected you were fond of her"
With difficulty Esteban restrained an
oath. You mistake my meaning" he
said. stif'iy Sebastian has served me
faithfully. and Evangelina plays with
my children. She is good to them; she
IS more of mother to them than you
have ever been.'
rs that why you dress her like a
lady? Bah! A likely story" Isabel
tossed her fine. dark head I'm not
blind: l see what goes on about me.
This will make a pretty scandal among
your friends-she as black as the pit,
and you-
Woman shouted the planter, You
have sting like scorpion"
Il won't have that wench in my
house. Isabel Jared out at him.
Goaded to fury by his wife's sense
less accusation, Esteban cried: Your
house? BY what license do you call 1t
yours"
Am not married to you?"
ried to its victim. You suck my blood. .
Your blood The woman laughed
shriily. You have no blood: your veins
run vinegar You are miser.'
"Miser' Miser, grow sick of the
word 1t Is all you find to taunt me
with. Confess that you married me for
my money" he roared
"Of course. ] did, Do you think a
woman of my beauty would marry YOU
fo- arr'hine else? But fine bargain
/ made"
Vampire"
Wife or vampire. | intend to rule
this house. and I refuse to be shamed
by .hick-lipped African Her airs
tell her story. She Is insolent to me.
butt shan't endure it. She laughs a I
me. Well. your friends shall laugh 1t
you"
silence commanded Esteban.
Sell her"
No"
Sell her Or"
without waiting to hear her threat
Estehan tossed his arms ahoye his head
and fed from the room. FlineinR him
self into the saddle he spurred down
the hill and through the town to the
Casino de Eapanol. where he spent the
rtrht 1T cards with the Spa nish on
Gals. But he did not sell EvanpeIiua.
In the days that followed MANY stint
lar scenes occurred. and as Esteban's
home life grew more unhappy his dis
sipations increased. He drank and
sambied heavily: he brought his friends
to the quinta with him, and strove 70
forget domestic unpleasantness in bois
terors revelry.
His wife however. found orport,pi
ties enough to weary and exasperat e
him with reproaches regarding the
slave girl.