Evening star., 1918-01-06
CONTINUED FROM LAST sUNDAY)


You say you are going away" Rosa
inquired, breathlessly. But why?'
I'm going partly because OF this
war and partly because of-somethtng
else. ! tried to tell you yesterday. but
/ couldn't. When the revolution start
ed everybody thought it was merely
local uprising. and L wrote my company
to that effect: but. bless you. it has
spread like fire. and now the whole
eastern end of the island is ablaze.
"Esteban saws it will be more terri
BILE than the Ten Years War
God forbid! And yet all the old
fighters are back again. Nobody be-
lieved that Maximo Gomez had return
ed. but it's true. And the Maceos are
here, too. from Costa Rica- Antonio
has already gained control of most or
Santiago Province. and he's sweeping
westward. OF course, the Spaniards
minimize the reports of his success. and
we, here. don't understand what's real
~ going on Anyhow. business has
stopped. and my employers have or
dered me home to find out what's hap
pened 20 their profits. They seem to
hold me personally responsible for this
insurrection.'
T. see And when you have told them
the truth you will come back. Is that
it?"
Il Perhaps"
You said there was something
else-
o'Reilly's hesitation became an en-
barrassed silence. He tried to laugh
it OF.
There is, otherwise I'd stay right
here and tell my penurious friends to
whistle for their rrofts. 1t seems I'm
cursed with a fatal beauty. You may
have noticed it? No? Well. perhaps
it's magnificent business ability that
I have. Anyhow. the president of my
company has a notion that I'd make
him good son-in law"
u oh"' cried Rosa.
And at her tone O'Reilly hurried on:
These rich men have the most alb
surd ideas. j suppose I'll have to-
Then you are in love. senor?"
The young man nodded vigorously
Indeed / am-with the sweetest girl
in Cuba. That's the whole trouble.
That's why Tn hurrying home to re-
sign before I'm fired" Not daring to
varona's eyes until she had taken in
the whole truth, he waited, staring at
his feet "rm sort of glad it has come
to a showdown and I can speak out.
I'm hoping she'll miss me-" After a
mon ent he ventured. "Hviil sheer
VII ~. YOU Si,ss Kosa: @o,, Rosa lifted her
brovrs in pretended amazement Then
she tipped her head daintiiy to one
side, as If weighing his question earn
estly "You are amusing. of course.
butt won't have much time to think
about yor, for am so soon to be mar
ried"
married? what" o'Ren,y started
Violently, and the girl exclaimed, with
well-feigned concern:
"0a. senior. You have wounded your
self again on that thorn-bush. This
plaza is growing UP to brambles."
TT wasn't my finger, Something
pierced me through the heart. Mar
Indeed. Do you think I'm SO ugly
nobody would have me?"
Good Lord; You- o'Reilly
truth when you know it SO well"
THE richest man in Matanzas asked
for my hand this very afternoon
Who? Mario de Castano?'
oReilly laughed with relief. and
though Rosa tried to look offended she
was forced to smile. Hes fat,
know she admitted. and he makes
he is richer than Croesus. and L adore
rich men"
II hate en-, announced O'Refily
Then for second time he took Rosa's
din1pied hand. saying. earnestly: I'm
sure you know now why make love SO
badly, dear It's my Irish conscience
And you'll walt until come back. won't
YOU
VIII you be gone-yery long," she
asked
OReilly looked deeply now into the
dark eyes turned to his. and found that
at last there was no coquetry in them
n hut lnt,a
hungry yearning-and with glad, in
coherent exclamation he held out his
arms. Rosa Earona crept into them:
ther with a sigh she upturncd her lips
to his.
TIL wait forever" she said.