Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-07-05

plain that he was not In the least
frightened. They haven't caught me
yet" he laughed.
you say they intend to arrest me
alsog' Rosa eyed the caller ~anxiously.
Exactly"
who accuses her, and Of whatf'
Esteban demanded.
That also l have discovered through
the courtesy Of Colonel Fernandez.
Your accuser is none other than Pan
chO CuetO."
"Cuetor"
yes; he has denounced both OF you
as rebels, and the letter is only part
Of his proof. l believe. Now, then, you
can guess why I am here. / anu not
without influence / a save Rosa, but
for you. Esteban. l fear l car do moth
Ing. You must look out for yourself.
Well? What do you Say?"
When Esteban saw how pale his sis
ter had grown. he took her In his arms,
saying gently: I'm sorry. dear. It's all
my fault" Then to the merchant
ITS very good Of you to warn US"
"Hs!" Don Mario famed himself,
I'm glad you appreciate my efforts,
Its a good thing to have the right kind
Of a friend. I'll marry Rosa within an
hour, and l fancy my name will be a
sufficient shield"
Rosa turned to her elderly suitor
and made a deep courtesy. II am un-
worthy Of the honor" said she. "You
see, II do not love you, Don Mario
Lowell" exploded the visitor. "God
bless you! What has love to do with
the matter? Esteban will have to ride
for his life in ten minutes and your
property will be seized. SO you had
better make yourself ready to go with
me-"
But Rosa shook her head.
"Eh? What ails you? What do you
expect to dor"
II shall go with Esteban," said the
girl.
This calm announcement seemed to
stupefy De Castano. He sat down
heavily in the nearest chair, and with
his wet handkerchief poised in one
pudgy hand he stared flxedly Mt the
| speaker. His eyes were round and
bulglng, the sweat streamed UNDECIDED
from his temples. He resembled some
queer bloated marine monster just
emerged from the sea and momentarily
dazzled by the light.
"You- You're mad" he finally
gasped. "Esteban, tell her what II
| means"
But this Esteban could not do, for
he himself had not the f%aintest no
ton Of what vas in store for him. Wal
seemed to him n glorious thing; he had
been told that the hills were peopled
with patriots. He was very young, his
heart was ablaze with hatred for the
| Spaniards and for Pancho Cueto. He
longed to risk his life for a free Cuba
Therefore he said: Rosa shall do as
she pleases. II we must be exlles We
shall share each others hardshlps. II
| will not be for long,"
"Idiot !" stormed the fat man. "Bet
ter that you gave her to the sharks
below San Severino. There Is no law
no safety for women outside Of thu
cities. The island is in anarchy. These
patriots you talk about are the blacks
the mulattoes, the-lowest, LATEST say
ages in Cuba"
please! Don Marioi" the Cir
pleaded. II cannot marry you, for
love another"
"Ehr'
II love another. I'm betrothed to
O'Reilly, the American-and he's com
ing back to marry me-"
De Castano twisted himself labori
ously out Of his chair and waddled
toward the door. He was purple with
rage and modification. On the thresh'
old he paused to wheeze: Every well
tuCH. W.! j III uOuC WIFI DOlH VI JUu,
l would have lent you a hand with this
rascal Cueto, but now he will fall heir
to your entire property. Well, it is
q time for banditsi IL" Unable to
think Of a parting speech sufficiently
bitter to match his disappointment
Don Mario plunged out into the sun.
light, muttering and %stammering to
himself.
Within an hour the twins were on
their way up the Yumurl, toward the
home Of Asensio and E~vangelina for
1t was thither that they naturally
turned. 1t was well that they had
made haste, for as they rode down into
the valley, up the other side of the hill
from Matanzas came a squad of the
Guardia Civil, and at its head rode
Pancho Cueto.