The Monticellonian., 1918-08-16
CHAPTER xVi-Continued.
1d--

lH ldAANttQ aE liiC HpbitSi VI AJtltAI courts common soldiers; his shoes were broken and disreputable his cot ton trousers. snagged by barbed wire and brambles and soiied by days in the saddle and nights in the grass, were in desperate need of attention. His board had grown, too, and his skin, where it was exposed. was burnt to mahogany brown. Certainly there was nothing about his appearance to bespeak his nationality.
 The general continued: "I am direct ed in this letter to help you in some enterprise. Command me, sir"
 As briefly as possible Johnnie made known the object of his journey. The officer nodded his comprehension, but us he did so puzzled expression crossed his face.
 "Yes, I reported that Miss Varona pains to find out. Do you have reason to doubt"
 Mot the least, sir"
 'Then-why have you come all this way?"
 ''I came to find her and to fetch her to her brother"
 ''But-you don't understand. She is actually inside the lines, in Matan- zas-a prisoner"
 Exactly. intend to go into Matan- gas and bring her out"
 General Betancourt drew back, as- taniCha6 " hn claimed. Are you mad?"
 0'Reilly smiled faintly. "Quite probably. All lovers are mildly mad, I believe"
 "Ah! Loversi I begin to see. But how do you mean to go about this this-impossible undertakings"
 "You told me just now that I could pass for a Cuban. Well, I am going to put it to the test. If I once get into the city I shall manage somehow to get out again, and bring her with me"
 "Um-mw The general appraised O'Reilly speculatively. No doubt you can get init is not so difficult to en- ter, I believe, and especially to one who speaks the language like native. But the return-I fear you will fpd that another matter. Matanzas is q place of pestilence, hunger, despair. No one goes there from choice any more and no one ever comes out"
 'So I should imagine" The speak er's careless tone added to General Be taneourt's astonishment. Bless me r' ha oxaloiDna1 tttNhot nrli nary young man. Is it possible that you do not comprehend the terrible conditions?" A sudden thought struck him and he inquired quickly: "Tell me, you are not by any chance that hero they call Fl Demenio? l have heard that he is indeed demon. No? Very well! You say you wish to visit Ma tanzas, and l am instructed to help you. How can do so?"
 O'Reilly hesitated an instant. "For one thing. 1 need money. I-I haven't q single peseta."
 You are welcome to the few dol lars I possess
 Johnnie expressed his gratitude for this ready assistance. "One thing more," said he. Twill you give my boy. Jacket a new pair of trousers and send him back to the Orient at the first opportunity"
 '0f course. It Is done." The gen eral laid friendly hand upon OReil- ly's shoulder, saying, gravely: .It would relieve me intensely to send you haoL nj hfn, I fnr the success of your venture. Matanzas is a hell it has swallowed up thou sands of our good countrymen; thou sands have died there. I'm afraid you do not realize what risks you are talk ing
 OReilly did not allow this we'll meant warning to influence him. nor did he listen to the admonitions of those other Cubans who tried to argue with him out of his purpose, once il became known. On the contrary, he proceeded with his preparations and spent that afternoon in satisfying him. self that Rosa had indeed left the Pan de Matanzas before Cobo's raid
 Among Betancourt's troops was n man who had been living in the hills At the time Asensio and his family had abandoned their struggle for ex- tstence, and to him O'Reilly went. This fellow, it seemed, had remained with his family in the mountains some time after 4Asensio's departure. It was from him that 0'Reilly heard his first authentic report of the atrocities per. petrated by Cobo's volunteers. This man had lost his wife. his little son. and all the seanty belongings he pos sessed. With shaking hands up stretched to heaven, the fellow cursed the author of his misfertunes.
 q live for one thing" he cried shrillv-"to meet that monster, and to butcher him us he butchers women and children"
 O'Reilly purposely left his most un. pleasant task to the last. When his arrangements had been completed and he had acquainted himself as far as possible with the hazards he was Hkely to encounter, he took Jacket aside ant broke the news to him that on the fol lowing morning they must part. AS he had expected, the boy refused t listen to him. 0'Reilly remained firm and Jacket began to weep coniously He worked himself up to hysterica crescendo which threatened to arous, the entire encampment But OReill, was unmoved.
 Be quiet" he told the boy. $ won't let you go with me, and tha ends it. It will be hard enough for on,