The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-06-27

not TO hear. She turned her head to
listen, but continued to walk
Don't be alarmed" he said. reas-
sur1ngly. 1T is only Esteban-Donna
Isabel! StOpl" Esteban sprang for
ward, shouting at the top of his voice,
for at the sound of her name Isabel
had abruptly swerved to her right, a
movement which brought her danger
ously close to the lip of the well.
stop! Go back :" screamed the
young man.
Above his warning there came a
Shrek, shrill and agonized-a wall of
such abysmal terror as to shock the
night birds and the insects into still
ness Donna Isabel slipped, or STUN
bled, to her knees, she balanced briefly.
clutehing at random while the earth
and crumbling cement gave way be-
meath her; then she slid forward and
disappeared, almost out from between
Esteban's hands. There was a noisy
rattle of rock and pebble and a great
splash far below; a chuckle of little
stones striking the water, then a faint
bubbling. Nothing more. The stepson
stood in his tracks, sick, blind with
horror; he was swaying over the OPEN
ing when Asensio dragged him back.
PanchO Cueto, being heavy sleeper,
was the last to be reused by Esteban's
Outcries. When he had hurriedIy
slipped into his clothes in response to
the pounding on his door, the few serv-
ants that the establishment supported
had been thoroughly awakened. Cueto
thought they must be out of their
minds until he learned what had be-
fallen the mistress of the house. Then,
being man of action, he too issued
swift orders, with the result that by
the time he and ESteban had run TO
the well rope and lantern were ready
for their use. Before Esteban could
form and fit a loop for his shoulders
there was sufficient help on hand to
lower him into the treacherous abyss.
That was gruesome task which fell
to Esteban, for the well had been long
unused, its sides were oozing slime, its
waters were stale and black. He was
on the point of fainting when he finally
climbed out, leaving the negroes to
hoist the dripping, inert weight which
he had found at the bottom.
Old Sebastian's curse had come
true; Donna Isabel had met the fate
he had called down upon her that day
when he hung exhausted in his chains
and when the flies tormented him.
The treasure for which the woman had
intrigued so tirelessly had been her
death. Furthermore, as If in grim
NEST irony, she had been permitted at
the very last to find it, Living. she
had searched to no purpose whatso-
ever; dying, she had almost graSped
it in her arms.
Once the first excitement had abated
and a messenger had been sent to
town. Cueto drew Esteban aside and
questioned him.
"A shocking tragedy and most Pc
culiar," said the overseer. Nothing
could amaze me more Tell me. how
did you come to be there at such an
hour, eh?''
Esteban saw the malevolent curios-
ity in Cueto's face and started. Il
That is my affair. Surely you don't
think
"Come. comet You can trust me-"
The overSeer winked and smiled.
AT had business that took me there"
stifly declared the younger man.
Exactly And a profitable bust
ness it provedr Cueto laughed openly
now. We'll. don't mind telling Won
Donna Isabel's death is no disappoint-
ment to anyone. Anybody could see"
Stop" Esteban was turning alter
nately red and white. You seem to
imply something outrageous"
Now let US be sensible. I under
stand you perfectly, my boy. But an
officer Of the Guardia Civil may arrive
at any moment and he will want to
know how you came to be with your
stepmother when she plunged into that
trap So prepare yourself"
Young VarOna was watching his in
quisitor now with family speculative
frown. When Cueto had finished. Es-
teban said:
you would like me to confess to
some black iniquity that would make
US better friends, Ell? Well, it so hap
pens that was not alone tonight, but
that another person saw the poor wom-
ans death and can bear me out in ev-
erything say. No, Pancho, you over
reach yourself. Now, then"-Esteban
was quick-tempeAed and for years he
had struggled against an instructive
distrust and dislike of the plantation
manage that I have be-
come the head of this house, and your
employer. You will do better to think
Of your own affairs than Of mine. I
intend to have a careful reckoning
with you I think you know I have a
good head for figures" Turning his