The Mena weekly star., 1918-12-12


fear of what may happen in my alb
sence-and yet can't always be al
your side"
sTherei You acknowledge that ]
handicap you. Except for me you would
be making a glorious name for your.
self"
Nothing of the sort. More probably
I'd be getting myself killed. mol It's
better this way. We must be brave
and patient and--fhinlS Of what Is wait
ing for us at the bottom Of that well"
II was indeed a great piece Of luck
which had enabled Esteban Varona TO
buy half-dozen Mausers from a 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 70 effect the
purchase. Esteban considered the sac
rifce well worth while. The fire 81
ratriotism burned fierceiy ~ him. as
ala his hatred Of Pancho Cueto, and
the four trusty young negroes 80 whoHs
he had given rifles made with ASensio
and himself. an armed party large
enough to be reckoned with. These
blacks were excitahle fellows, and
wretched marksmen. hut, on the other
hand, each and every one had been
raised with a machete at his hip and
knew how to use 1t. After few pre-
limInary forays under Esteban's lead
ership they had absorbed a Bit Of dis
clpline 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 cheeFfally than they. General
Antonio Maceo was Of mixed blood,
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 a few Of many dark-skInned he
roes. This struggle for independence
was no patIician's 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 lmplored him. II
shall die Of suspense"
ut is for you TO be careful" he
laughed keep a good watch, and
conceal yourself at the first alarm
However, I think we have taught these
bandits lesson. As for Cueto, he
would run to the jungle If he saw us.
He has the heart OF a mouse" He
kissed his sister affectionately and
then rode off at the head Of his tat.
tered band.
Rosa waved him a last farewell as
he disappeared into the woods, then, to
occupy herself she helped Evangelina
with what little Homework there was
TO do, later going with her 10 the gar
den patch where the vlandas grew.
Evangelina's early devotion to het
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 1t not been for Donna lisa
bells refusal to accept her. AS II was
she and Asensio had married. and by
means Of Rosa's surreptitious helT
they had managed TO buy this little
piece Of land Rosa had rracticed self
denial to make the purchase possible
and her self-sacrifce had borne fruit
mat act OF childish benehcence had
Created refuge for Esteban and her.
self and had ripened the negro WON
ans affection Into idolatry.
EEangeIina's JOY at having the girl
10 herseif, where she could daily see
aer touch her, serve her, was tenn
pered only by the knowledge Of Rosa's
unhappiness. She scoIded and tyran
nlsed' she mothered and adored the
un TO her hearts content: sine
watched over her like hawk: she
ueemed no labor In her service toe ex-
acung. Tt would have gone I'll with
anyone who offered harm to Rosa, for
sFangelina was strong and capable !;
sne had the arms and the hands of
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.
lar on from the main-traveicd roads
OF the Yumnri and the day. as usual
passed uneventfully. EvangelIna
worked. with one eye upon her Rosa,
tne other watchfuliy alert for dan.
ger When evening came she ure.
pared their scansyy meal. upbraidifne
ROSA. meanwhile, for her attempts
% assist her. Then they sat for an
nonr or two &C The bench outside. f;;,e
ooor' talking about Juan O,Rasl-ve
ana the probable hour OF his coming
When Rosa fretted about her broth
y. ne nsgress reassured her. aron,t
sisntened, little dove: he has fba
80 OF great soldier Nav
n' Is growing cocl and 10 49,
ona .' = Ievers. Creep into VOW , has
~ e ,e usean about that handson,s ,o ysu
..,. rosa obeyed. aithnpss x.,
-, steep FOR while@ ~ Ebx'uctantly
my turn vut and take