Evening star., 1918-01-06

DeeH tHOFouSnly awakened. EISteDdn
was shouting at them. explaining that
Dona Isabel had met with an accident.
lie was calling for lantern too and
a stout rope. Cueto thought they must
all be out Of their minds until he
learned what had befallen the mistress
Of the house. Then. being a man OF
action, he, too. issued swift orders, with
the result that by the time he and
Estehan had run TO the well both rope
and lantern were ready for their use.
Before Esteban could form and fit a
loop for his shoulders there was suffi-
cient help on hand to lower him into
the treacherous abyss.
1t was q commentary upon Dona
1sabeIs character that during the long,
slow moments of uncertainty while
Esteban was being lowered the negroes
exhibited more curiosity than concern
over her fate. In haIf-pleased excite
ment they whispered and gfggled and
nuttered together. while Pancho lay
prone at the edge of the orifce, direce-
ing them how to manipulate the rope.
That was gruesome task which fell
to Esteban, for the well had been long
unused, its sides were oozing slime, its
waters were stale and black. He was
on the point of fainting when he finally
climbed out. leaving the negroes to
hoist the dripping, inert weight which
he had found at the bottom.
Old Sebastian's curse had come true:
Dona Isabel had met the fate he had
called down upon her that day when
he hung exhausted In his chains and
when the flies tormented him. The
treasure for which the woman had in
trigued so tirelessiy mad been her
death. Like an ignis fatuus. it had
lured her to destruction. Furthermore.
as if In grifnmest irony she had been
permitted at the very last to find it.
Living. she had searched to no purpose
whatsoever; dying. she had almost
grasped 1t in her arms.
Once the first excitement had abated
and messenger had been sent to
town, Cueto drew Esteban aside and
questioned him.
peculiar" said the overseer. Nothing
could amaze me more"
Exactly! And all because Of her
sleep walking. I'm all in a tremble.'
She was asleep? You are sure?"
Have ] not told you so?" Esteban
was impatient
"Rut it is said that people given to
that peculiarly never come to grief.
They say some sixth sense guides
them-gives them warning of pitfalls
and dangers. Ii can't under
stand-''
THAT well was a menace to wax
ing person. l didn't realize how near
to it she was; and when l cried out to
her II seemed only to hasten her steps"
The young man shuddered, for the hor-
ror Of the thing was still in his mind,
Tell me, how did you come to be
there at such an hour. eh?''
in cueto's face and started. t
That is my affair. Surely you don't
think-''
Come. come: You can trust me-"
The overseer winked and smiled.
Il had business that took me there"
stifiy declared the younger man.
Exactly. And u profitable business
1t proved" Cueto laughed openly now.
Well, I don't mind telling you, bona
lsahefs death is no disappointment to
any one: Anybody could See"
Stop Esteban was turning al
ternately red and white. You seem to
Imply something outrageous"
Now let US be sensible. I under
stand you perfectly. my boy. But an
officer of the Guardia Civil may arrive
at any moment, and he will want to
know how you came TO be with your
stepmother when she plunged into that
trap. So prepare yourself. If only you
had not given the alarm. If only you
had waited until morning. But--in the
dead of night! Alone. He Will think
it queer suppose. too, he learns that
you and Dona Isabel quarreled the other
day over money matters?"
Young Verona recovered himself
quickly, He was watching his In
auisitor now with "A family speculative
frown. When Cueto had finished,
Esteban said:
"Dona Isabel and ! frequently quar-
relied over money matters, so there is
nothing strange in that. You would
like me to confess to some black in
iqufty that would make us better
friends, ehe Well, it so happens that
! was not alone tonight, but that an
other person saw the poor woman's
death and can bear me out in every
thing l say. No. Pancho, you over
reach yourself. Now then"-Est
was quick tempered. and for years he
had struggled against an instructive
distrust and dislike of the plantation
manager remember that / have be-
come the head of this house. and your
employer. You will do better to think
of your own affairs than of mine. Do
you understand me? l have long sus-
pected that certain matters of yours
need attention, and at the first oppor-
tunfty ! intend to have careful
reckoning with YOU think you know