Meade County news., 1918-05-23

plain that he was not in the least
frightened. "They haven't caught me
yet" he laughed.
"You say they intend to arrest me
also? Rosa eyed the caller anxiously.
"Exactlyi"
"Who accuses her, and Of what?"
Esteban demanded.
"That also have discovered through
the courtesy of Colonel Fernandez.
Your accuser is none other than Pan
cho Cueto."
"Cuetow
"Yes; he has denounced both of you
as rebels, and the letter is only part
Of his proof, believe. Now, then, you
can guess why am here. 1 am not
without influence; can save Rosa, but
for you. Esteban, fear can do moth
ing. You must look out for yourself.
Well? What do you say?"
When Esteban saw how pale his sis
ter had grown, he took her in his arms.
saying gently: I'm sorry, dear. It's all
my fault" Then to the merchant: {:
ITS very good Of you 70 warn u.s."
"Haw Don Mario famed himself.
"I'm glad you appreciate my efforts.
It's good thing to have the right kind
Of friend. I'll marry Rosa within an
hour, and I fancy my name will be a
sufficient shield"
Rosa turned to her elderly suitor
and made deep courtesy. 81 am un-
worthy Of the honor" said she. "You
see, II do not love you, Don Mario"
Love" exploded the visitor. God
bless you! What has love to do with
the matter? Esteban will have to ride
for his life In ten minutes and your
property will be seized. So you had
better make yourself ready to go with
me-"
But Rosa shook her head.
"Eh1 What ails you? What do you
expect to do?"
II shall go with Esteban," said the
girl.
This calm announcement seemed to
stupefy De Castano. He sat down
heavily in the nearest chair, and with
his wet handkerchief poised in one
pudgy hand he stared fixedly at the
speaker. His eyes were round and
bulging, the sweat streamed unheeded
from his temples. He resembled some
queer bloated marine monster just
emerged from the sea and momentarily
dazzled by the light.
"You- You're mad" he finally
gasped. "Esteban, tell her what 1t
means"
But this Esteban could not do, for
he himself had not the faintest no.
ton Of what was in store for him. War
seemed to him glorious thing; he had
been told that the hills were peOpled
with patriots. He was very young, his
heart was ablaze with hatred for the
Spaniards and for Pancho Cueto. He
lOnged TO risk his life for free Cuba.
Therefore he said: "Rosa shall do as
she pleases. If we must be eXiles we
shall share each others hardships. 1t
will not be for long,"
"Idlot!" stormed the fat man. "Bet.
ter that you gave her to the sharks
below San Severino. There is no law
no safety for women outside of the
cities. The island is in anarchy. These
patriots you talk about are the blacks
the mulattoes, the-lowest, LATEST say,
ages in Cuba"
"Please! Don Mario!" the girl
pleaded. II cannot marry you, for
love another"
"Eh"
II love another. I'm betrothed tC
ORellly, the American-and he's com
ing back to marry me-"
De Castano twisted himself labori
ously out Of his chair and waddled
toward the door. He was purple with
rage and modification. On the thresh
old he paused to wheeze: every well
then. Go! I'm done with both of you
| would have lent you hand with this
rascal CuetO, but now he will fall he'll
to your entire property. Well, it is
a time for bandits IL" Unable tC
think of parting speech sufficiently
bitter to match his disappointment
Don Mario plunged out into the sun
light, mutterlng and stammering t.
himself.
Within an hour the twins were or
their way up the Yumuri, toward the
home Of AsensiO and Evangelina; fol
1t was thither that they naturally
turned. 1t was well that they hat
made haste, for as they rode down into
the valley, up the other side of the hill
from Matanzas came a squad of thC
Guardia Civil, and at its head rode
Pancho Cueto.
CHAPTER v.