Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1918-07-18

plain that he was not in the least
frightened. "They haven't caught me
yet" he laughed.
"You say they intend to arrest me
alsoY" Rosa eyed the caller anxiously.
Exactly"
"Who accuses her, and of whatT
Esteban demanded.
"That also have discovered through
the courtesy of Colonel Fernandez.
Your accuser is none other than Pan
cho Cueto."
"Cuetop'
Eyes; he has denounced both of you
as rebels, and the letter is only part
of his proof, l believe. Now, then, you
can guess Why am here. / am not
without influence; 1 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: 'Tm sorry, dear. It's all
ITS very good of you to warn u.s."
"Han' 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
sufficient shield"
Rosa turned to her elderly sutton
and made a deep courtesy. 81 am I'M
worthy of the honor" said she. "You
see, II do not love you, Don Mario"
Lover exploded the visitor. "God
bless you'll 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
"Eh? What ais you? What do you
expect to DOR
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
bullying, the sweat streamed UNDECIDED
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. "Estcban, tell her what it
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"
idiot ~ 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 saw
ages in Cuba
please! Don Mario!" the girl
pleaded. 81 cannot marry you, for-I
love another"
"Eh?"
| II love another. I'm betrothed to
O'Reilly, 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.
l would have lent you hand with this
rascal Cueto, but now he will fall heir
to your entire property. Well, it is
time for bandits! IL" Unable to
think of a parting speech sufficiently
bitter to match his disappointment,
| Don Mario plunged out into the sun
| light muttering and stammering to
himself.
Within an hour the twins were on
their way up the Yumuri, toward the
home of Asensio and Evangelina; for
it was thither that they naturally
turned 1t was we'll that they had
made haste, for as they rode down into
the valley, up the other side of the hill
from Matanzas came squad of the
Guardia Civil, and at its head rode
Pancho Cueto.
CHAPTER v.