Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1918-06-28

There! You acknowledge that
handicap you. Except for me you would
be making glorious name for your
SELF
Nothing of the sort More probably
I'd be getting myself killed. No! It's
better this way. We must be brave
and patient and-think Of what is wait
ing for us at the bottom of that WE'LL"
It was indeed great piece of luck
which had enabled Esteban Varona to
buy half dozen Mausers from Span
ish soldier. Through Asensio's ac-
quaintance he had profited by the dis
honesty of an enemy, and, although it
had taken all his money to effect the
purchase, Esteban considered the sac
rifice well worth while. The fire of
patriotism burned fiercely in him, as
did his hatred of Pancho CuetO, and
the four trusty young negroes to whom
he had given rifles made, with AsensiO
/. and himself, an armed party large
enough to be reckoned with. These
blacks were excitable fellows, and
wretched marksmen, but, on the other
hand, each and every one had been
raised with a machete at his hip and
knew how to use it. After few pre-
liminary forays under Esteban's lead
ership they had absorbed bit of dis
cipline and were beginning to feel a
military ardOr.
In the Cuban field forces there were
many negroes, and few of their fell
low patriots fought better, or endured
the hardships of guerrilla warfare
more cheerfully than they. General
Antonio Maceo was Of mixed sblood,
and yet his leadership was character
lied not only by rare judgment and
ability, but also by an exalted abandon
of personal bravery. His several
brothers rendered Cuba services scarce
ly less distinguished, and they were
but of few of many dark-skinned he
roes. This struggle for independence
was no patricians war; the best stock
of the island fought side by side with
field hands.
AT dawn of the morning following
his talk with Rosa, when the members
of his command assembled, Esteban
was up and ready. He had made his
preparations to destroy Pancho Cueto's
fields, and since the road over the hills
to La Joya was long he had summoned
them early.
''Be careful ~ Rosa implored him. 81
shall die Of suspense"
cit is for you to be careful he
laughed. Keep a good watch, and
conceal yourself at the first alarm.
However, think we have taught these
bandits a lesson. AS for Cueto, he
would run to the jungle if he saw us.
He has the heart of a mousse" He
kissed his sister affectionately and
then rode off at the head of his tat
tered band.
he disappeared into the woods, then, to
occupy herself, she helped Evangelina
with what little homework there was
to do, later going with her to the gar
den patch where the viandaS grew.
Evangelina's early devotion to her
mistress had not diminished with time !;
if anything, it had deepened. When
emancipation came she would have re-
turned to the service of her beloved
twins had it not been for Donna Isa-
bells refusal to accept her. AS it was,
she and Asensio had married, and by
means of Rosa's surreptitious help
they had managed to buy this little
piece of land. Rosa had practiced self
denial to make the purchase possible,
and her self-sacrifice had borne fruit ::
that act of childish beneficence had
created refuge for Esteban and her
self and had ripened the negro wom-
ans affection into idolatry.
Evangelina's joy at having the girl
to herself, where she could daily see
her, touch her, serve her, was tenn
pered only by the knowledge of Rosa's
unhappiness. She scolded and tyran-
nized, she mOthered and adOred the
girl to her hearts content; she
watched over her like q hawk; she
deemed no labor in her service too ex-
acting. It would have gone i'll with
anyone who offered harm to Rosa, for
Evangelina was strong and capable; ;
she had the arms and the hands of
a man, and she possessed the smOlder-
ing black temper of Sebastian, her
father.
Even in peaceful times few people
came to this clearing in the woods,
far off from the main-traveled roads
Of the Yumuri and the day, as usual,
passed uneventfully. Evangelina
worked, with one eye upon her Rosa,
the other watchfully alert for dam
ger. When evening came she pre-
pared their scanty meal, upbraiding
Rosa, meanwhile, for her attempts
to assist her. Then they sat for an
hour or two on the bench outside the
door, talking about Juan O'Rail-ye
and the probable hour of his coming.
When Rosa fretted about her broth
er. the negress treasured her. Don't
be frightened, little dove; he has the
makings of a great soldier. Now,
then, it is growing cool and the night
carries fevers. Creep into your bed
and dream about that handsome lover
of YOURS"