The Mena weekly star., 1918-10-31


 that or youth. He saw himself as a splendid prince riding toward tbs humble. home of some obscure maiden whom he had graclously cnosen to be his mate.
 Ills arriv1l threw Donna Isabel into hutter; the woman could scarcely contain her curiosity when sba came to meet him, for he was not the sort of man to inconvenience himself by saer. social visits. Their first formal greet. ings over, Don Mario surveyed the hare living room and remarked. lugubri. ously:
 T see many changes here"
 NO doubt" the widow agreed. Times have been hard since poor Els teban's death."
 What a terrible calamity that was shudder when think of it." said he. A shocking affair, trulyl and one I shall never get out of my mind"
 shocking, yes. But what do you think of rich man, like Esteban, who would leave his family destitute? Who would die without revealing the place where he had stored his treasurer
 Donna Isabel, 1t was plain. felt her wrongs keenly; she spoke with as much spirit as if her husband had permitted himself to be killed purely out of spite toward her.
 AS if 1t were not enough to lose that treasure" the widow continued, stormily, "the government must free aii our slaves. Tsei Tse And now that there is no longer a profit in sugar, my plantations--''
 NO profit in sugar? What are you sayingT" queried the caller. If your crops do not pay, then Rancho Cueto is cheating you. Get rid of him. But I didn't come here to talk about Este bans hidden treasure, nor his planta- tions, nor Rancho Cueto. I came here to talk about your step-daughter. Rosa"
 "so" Donna Isabel looked up quickly.
 "She interests me. She is more beau tiful than the stars" Don Mario rolled hls eyes toward the high ceiling, which. like the sky, was tinted vivid csru. lean blue.
 "She Is now eighteen" the fat sultor went on, eestatically, "and so alto gether charming But why waste time in pretty speeches7 I have de- cided to marry her"
 Rosa has will of her own" guard edly ventured the stepmother.
 Don Mario broke out, testify: "Nat- urally; so have we all. Now let us speak plainly. You know me. am a person of importance. am rich enough to afford what I want, and l pay well. You understand? Well, tken, you are Rosa's guardian and you can bend her to your desires"
 "If that were only soip exclaimed the woman. "She and Esteban--what childrenl What tempers-just like their father'sl They were to be thelr fathers heirs, you know, and they blame me for his death, for our pov. erty. and for all the other misfortunes that have overtaken us. We live like cats and dogs"
 Don Mario had been drumming his fat fingers impatiently upon the arm oi his chair. Now he exclaimed:
 Your pardon, seEora. but I am just now very little interested in your do nestle relations. What you say about Rosa only makes me more eager, for loathe sleepy woman. Now tell ma Is she Has she any-affairs of ths heart?'
 "N-no, unless perhaps a filtration with that young American, Juan 0'Rellly." Donna Isabel gave the name It's Spanish pronunciation of "O'Rail. yer
 "Juan O'Reilly? O'Reillyf Oh, yes But what has he to offer woman? He is little more than a clerk"
 ''That Is what I tell her. Oh, fl hasn't gone far as yet"
 "Goodl" Don Mario rose to leave for the exertion of his ride had made him thirsty. You may name your owr