The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-06-20

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Colonel Lopez ~ exclaimed O'Reilly.
Esteban nodded.
ROsa's face, as she looked at the two
men, was white and worried. For a
time the three of them sat silent; then
the American said, slowly, you'll be
shot if you're caught"
Some one must run chances" Este
ban averred. ''We're fighting tyranny;
all Cuba is ablaze. 1 must do my part"
"But sooner or later you'll be dis
cOvered-then what?" persisted O'Reil-
ly.
Esteban shrugged. 'Who knows7
There'n be time enough when"
''What of ROsa?"
At this question the brother stirred
uneasily and dropped his eyes. O'Reil-
~ laid a hand upon his arm. you
have no right to jeOpardize her safety.
Without you, to whom could she turn p
The girl flashed her admirer q grateful
glance.
"Senor, you for one would see that
she"
"But-Tm going away" O'Reilly
l.
his face was averted. 81 came here to
tell you both gOod-by. may be gone
for some time. II don't know when
can get back
''Im sorry" Esteban told him, with
genuine regret. 1--WE have grown very
fond of you. But you will come back
before long, Ell? You're one Of US. In
the meantime I'll remember what you
say, and at least I'll be careful BY
no means wanting in tact, Esteban rose
briskly and, after shaking hands with
O'ReilIy, left the two lovers to say fare
well as best suited them.
But for once O'Reily's ready tongue
was silent. The laughter was gone
from his blue eyes when he turned to
the girl at his side.
You say you are going away?' Rosa
inquired, breathlessly. But why?"
I'm going partly because of this
war and partly because something
else. l tried to tell you yesterday, but
couldn't. When the revolution start
ed everybody thought it was merely
a local uprising, and wrote my COM
pany to that effect; but, bless you, it
eastern end of the island is ablaze.
Business has stopped, and my employ
ers have ordered me home TO find out
what's happened to their profits"
you said there was something
else"
O'Reilly's hesitation became an en-
barrassed silence. He tried to laugh
it off.
There is; otherwise I'd stay right
here and tell my penurious friends to
whistle for their profits. 1t seems I'm
cursed with a fatal beauty. You may
have noticed it? No? Well, perhaps
it's a magnificent business ability that
I have. Anyhow, the president of my
company has a notion that I'd make
him a good son-in-law."
q OhI'' cried Rosa.
And at her tone O'Reilly hurried on :
"These rich men have the most alb
surd ideas. I suppose I'll have to"
''Then you are in love, senor?"
The young man nodded vigorously.
Indeed 1 am-with the sweetest girl
in Cuba. That's the whole trouble.
That's why I'm hurrying home to re-
sign before I'm fred" Not daring to
look too long or too deeply into Rosa
Varona's eyes until she had taken in
the whole truth, he waited, staring at
his feet. I'm sort of glad it has come
to a showdown and can speak out
I'm hoping she'll miss me-" After a
moment he ventured, "Wfll sheer
will you. ROsa?''
81? Miss you?" Rosa lifted her
brows in pretended amazement "You
are amusing, of course, butt won't
have much time to think about you,
for I am so soon TO be married.
Married? What2 Nonsense %
Indeed! Do you think I'm so ugly
nobody would have me? The richest
man in Matanzas has asked for my
hand this very afternoon"
"Who? Mario de Castano?"
eyes"
O'ReiIly laughed with relief, and
though Rosa tried to look offended,
she was forced to smile. Hes fat,
know" she admitted. land he makes
funny noises when he breathes: but he
is richer than Croesus, and I adore
rich men,"
81 hate 'eml" announced O'ReilIy.
Then for a second time he took Rosa's
dimpled hand, saying, earnestly: I'm
sure you know now why make love
so badly, dear. It's my Irish con-
science. And you'll wait until come
back. won't you?"
''Win you be gone-very longP she
asked.
O'ReiIly looked deeply now into the
dark ewes turned TO his. and found that
at last there was no coquetry in them
anywhere nothing but q lonesome,
hungry yearning- with a glad, in
coherent exclamation he held out his
arms. Rosa Varona crept into them
then with a sigh she upturned her lips
to his.
I'll wait forever" she said.