The Carlisle independent., 1918-05-02
God was jealous and took here to Para


 disc"
 The widowed man cried out angrily ::
 Paradise, What is this but Para dise?' He stared with resentful eyes at the beauty round about him. "See The Yumuri l'' Don Esteban flung a long arm outward. Do you think there is. q sight like that in heaven? Para disc indeed. I gave her everything. She gained nothing by dying"
 With grave thoughtfulness which proved him superior to the ordinary slave, Sebastian replied:
 True She had all that any wom- ans heart could desire, but in return for your goodness she gave you chil- dren. You have lost her. but you have gained an heir, and beautiful girl baby who will grow to be another Donna Rosa. l grieved as you grieve, once upon time, for my woman died in childbirth, too. You remember? But my daughter lives, and she has brought sunshine into my old age. That is the purpose of children" He paused and shifted his weight uncertainty. digging his stiff black toes into the dirt. After time he said, slowly: "Excellency! !! Now, about the-well-?"
 Yes. What about it?''
 Did the Donna Rosa confide her share of the secret to anyone? Those priests and those doctors, you know"
 "She died without speaking"
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 Tt does, unless you have babbled."
 "Masteri" Sebastian drew himself up and there was real dignity in his black face.
 Understand, my whole fortune is there-everything, even to the deeds of patent for the plantations. If I thought there was danger of you betraying inc 1 would have your tongue pulled out and your eyes torn from their sockets"
 The black man spoke with sim plicity that carried conviction Times are unsettled, Don Esteban, and death comes without warning. You are known to be the richest man in this province and these government officials are robbers. Suppose-I should be left alone? What then?"
 The planter considered for a mo- ment. Well, when my children are old enough to hold their tongues they will have to be told. If I'm gone, you shall be the one to tell them. Now leave me ; this is no time to speak of such things" :"
 Sebastian went as noiselessly as he had come. On his way back to his quar- ters he took the path to the well-the place where most of his time was ordi narily spent. Sebastian had dug this well, and with his own hands he had beautified its surroundings until they were the loveliest on the Yarona grounds. It was Sebastians task to keep this place green, and thither he took his way. from force of habit.
 Through the twilight came Rancho Cueto. the manager, q youngish man, with narrow face and bold, close-set eyes. Spying Sebastian, he began:
 "So Don Esteban has an heir at last?''
 The slave rubbed his eyes with the heel of his huge yellow palm and an swered. respectfully:
 "Yes. Don Pancho Two little angels. boy and girl" His gray brows drew together in painful frown. Donna Rosa was a saint. No doubt there is great rejoicing in heaven at her coming. Eh? What do you think 7
 "Um-m. Possibly. Don Esteban will miss her for T time and then, I dare say. he will remarry." At the negro's exclamation Cueto said: "So. And why not? Everybody knows how rich he is. From Oriente to Pinar del Rio the women have heard about his treas ure.''
 What treasure?" asked Sebastian, after an instants pause.
 Cueto's dark eyes gleamed resent fully at this show of ignorance, but he laughed
 "Ho, There's a careful fellow for you. No wonder he trusts you. But do you think have neither eyes nor ears? My good Sebastian. you know all about that treasure; in fact, you know far more about many things than Don Esteban would care to have you tell. Come now, don't you?"
 Sebastian's face was like a mask carved from ebony. "Of what does this treasure consist?" he inquired. T have never heard about it.'
 Of gold, of jewels. of silver bars and precious ornaments" Cueto's head was thrust forward. his nostrils were diiated. his teeth gleamed. "Oh. it is somewhere abcr' as you very well know. Bah! Don't deny it. I'm no fool What becomes of the money from the slave girls. eh? And the sugar crops, too? Does it go to buy arms and ammunition for the rebels? No. Don Esteban hides it. and you help him. Come" he cried, disregard ing Sebastian's murmurs of protest did you ever think how fabulous that fortuae must be by this time? Did you ever think that one little gem, one n