Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-07-24

One day a field of Cueto's cane was
burned, and his laborers reported see
ing Esteban and some negroes riding
into the wood. The overseer took
horse within the hour and rode pell-
nell to Matanzas. In the city at this
time was certain Colonel Cobo, in
command of Spanish volunteers, those
execrable CONVICT troops from the Isle
Of Pines whose atrocities had already
marked them as wolves rather than
men, and to him Pancho went with
his story.
."Ah, yes IT, That sVarona boy. I've
heard Of him. Coobo remarked. when
his caller had finished his account. HE
has reason to hate you, dare say, for
you robbed him." The colonel smiled
disagreeably.
Cueto murmured something to the
effect that the law had placed him in
his position as trustee for the crown,
and should therefore protect him but
Colonel Cobo's respect for the law, it
seemed, was slight. In his view there
was but one law in the land, the law
Of force.
"Why do you come to me?" he asked.
"That fellow is a desperado," Pan
cho declared. HE should be de.
stroyed."
"Bah! The country is overrun with
desperadoes of his kind, and worse.
Burning crops is nothing new. I'd
make an end, of him soon enough, but
nearly all Of my men are in Cardenas.
We have work enough to do"
I'D make it werth while. if you could
putran end to tin.'' Pancho said. hes
itatingly. Then. recalling some Of
those stories about Colonel Cobo, he
added. "There are two of them, you
know, boy and girl" a..
"Ah, yes! / remember"
Il cam direct you to the house Of
Asensio, where they live"
"Um-m! p CObo was thoughtful. "A
girl. How old is She?" wv
| Eighteen
ugly as an alligator, I'll warrant"
"Ha The most rayishing creature
In all Matanzas. All the men were
mad over her."
4, Colonel Cobo, the guerrilla, licked
his full. red lips and ran strong,
square hand over his curly short
cropped hair. "You say you know
where she-where they are living?"
".Ah, perfectly! It's less than a
nights ride. There's no one except
| tho how tn roolyou will, - =
! t'How much is. he worth to you9'''
bluntly inquired the soldier, and Cueto
sat down to make the best terms pos
slble.
| *s
"Do YOU think he received my let
teri" Rosa asked of her brother one
evening as they sat on the board bench
by Asensio's door. 1t was familiar
question to Esteban; he had answered
1t many times. +
ooh, yesv' he declared. LOPEZ mes
senger got through to Key West"
"Then why doesn't he Gomez"
But my dear. you must be patient.
Think of his difficulties"
This subject always distressed young
varona; therefore he changed II.
"Come! You haven't heard Of my good
fortune. captured another fine snake
today, big, sleepy fellow. Believe me
he'll wake up when set fire to his
tail. He'll go like the wind, and with
every foot he goes away win go more
of Pancho Cueto's profits"
''You intend to burn more Of his
fieldsw absently inquired the girl. 1T
seems terrible to destroy our own
property"
Esteban broke out excitedly; he
could not discuss Pancho Cueto with.
out losing control Of himself. "Would
you permit that traitor to fatten upon
the profits Of our plantations? 1 shall
= ruin him, as he ruined u.s." 8
: Easa shock her dark head sadly