Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1918-05-16
CHAPTER ~.
Retribution.

R%etribution.
Although for a long time Donna Isa-
bel had been sure in her own mind that
Pancho Cueto, her administrator, was
robbing her, she had never mustered
courage to call him to a reckoning.
Nevertheless, De Castano's blunt accu-
satlon, coupled with her own urgent
needs, served to fix her resolution, and
on the day after the merchants visit
she sent for the overseer, who at the
time was living on one Of the plan
tations.
Cueto was plainly curious to learn
why he had been sent for, but since
he asked no questions, his employer
was forced to open the subject her.
self. Through dry, white lips she be-
gan:
"My dear Pancho, times are hard. The
plantations are failing, and So" Pan
cho Cueto's eyes were set close to his
nose, his face was long and thin and
harsh; he regarded the speaker with
such a sinister, %unblinking stare that
she could scarcely finish: and so
1-can no longer afford to retain you
as administrator"
"Times will improve" he said.
Impossible! I tell you I'm bank
:rupt."
$50? Then the remedy is simple
sell a part of your land"
Although this suggestion came natu-
rally enough, Donna Isabel turned cold,
and felt her smile stiffen into a gri-.
mace. She wondered if Cueto could be.
feeling her out deliberately. "Sell the
Varona lands?" she queried, after al
momentary struggle with herself. "Es4
teban would rise from his grave. No.
1t was his wish that the plantations
go to his children intact" ,
"And his wish is sacred to you, eh?1
'Cueto nodded his approval, although,
his smile was disconcerting. can adj
mirable sentiment! 1t does you honor !!
But speaking on this subject, I am reJ
minded of that dispute with Jose Oroz
over the boundary to La Joya. I have
promised to show him the original
deed to La Joya and to furnish him
with the proofs about the boundarV
line. That would be better than a
lawsuit, wouldn't it,"
Decidedly! Butt will settle with
him myself" = :
Cueto lifted an ~admonitory hand, his
face alight with the faintest glimmer
Of ironic mirth. II couldn't trust you
to the mercies of that rascal" he said
piously. mo, I shall go on as I am,
even at a sacrifice to myself. I love
Don Esteban's children as my very
own; and you, sonora"
Isabel knew that she must win a
complete victory at once or accept ir-
%retrievable defeat.
"Never!" she Interrupted, with q
tone Of finality. II can't accept your
sacrifice. I am not worthy. Kindly
arrange to turf over your books Of &C.
count at once"
Then Pancho Cueto did an unex-
pected thing: he laughed shortly and
shook his head.
Donna Isabel was ready to faint and
her voice quavered as she went on:
understand me, we part the best of
friends despite all I have heard against
you. l do not believe these stories
peop.e tell, for you probably have en-
emies. Even If all they said were
true. I should force myself to be leni-
ent because O. your affection for my
husband" ::
The nan rose, still smiling. ut is I
who have been lenient," said he.
"Eh? Speak plainly"
"Gladly. I have long suspected that
Don Esteban hid the deeds Of his prop
erty with the rest of his valuables, and
now that you admit"
Donna Isabel recolled sharply. "Ad.
NIT! Are you mad? Deedsl What
are you talking about?" Her eyes met
his bravely enough, but she could feel
her lips trembling loosely.
Casting aside all pretense, the over
seer exclaimed: "Por ell amor de Dios!
An end to this! / know why you sent
for me. You think I have been rob-
bling you. Well, to be honest, so I
have. Why should I toll as l do while
you and those twins live here In lux
ury and idleness. squandering money