Evening star., 1918-01-06

whirling chaos A sudden, binding
crash of lights and sounds Moth
ing morei
Esteban varona sat until late hour
that night over a letter which required
the utmost care in its composition 1t
was written upon the thinnest OF pa
per. and when il was finished the writ
er irclosed 1t In an envelope of the
same material. Esteban put the letter
in his pocket without addressing it.
Then he extinguished his light tip
toed to the door connecting his and
Rosa's rooms. and listened. No sound
whatever came TO his ears. for his sis
ter slept like a. kitten Reassured. he
stole out into the hall. Here he paused
a moment with his ear first to Pancho
Cuetos door, and then to the door Of
his stepmother's room. He could hear
the overseer's heavy breathing and Isa-
bells senseiess babbling--the latter was
moaning and mutterlng eeaselessly,
but, being accustomed to her restless
ness, Esteban paid no heed.
Letting himself out into the night. he
took the path that led to the old sunk
en- garden. Nocturnal birds were chir-
ripping; his way was barred with spider
webs heavy with dew and cleaning
In the moonlight like tiny ropes OF
jewels; the odor of gardenias was over
powerinG. He passed close by the well.
and its gaping black mouth. only half
ed him that he had promised Rosa to
cover 1t with planks. In its present
condition 1t was a menace to animals.
If not to Auman beings who were un-
aware of it's presence. He told him
self he would attend to 1t on the NOR
row.
Seating himself on one of the old
stone benches. the young man lit a
cigarette and composed himself to wait.
He sat there for long time, grumbling
inward1y. for the night was damp and
he was sleepy; but at last figure stole
out of the gloom and joined him. The
newcomer was ragged negro, dressed
In the fashion of the poorer country
people.
well, Asensio thought you'd never
come. I'll get fever from this" Este
ban said. irritably.
.It is long way. Don Esteban, and
Eyangelina made me walt until dark.
] tell you we have to be careful these
DAYS"
What is .he news? What did you
hear?"
ed himself. "One hears a great deal,
but one never knows what to believe.
There is fighting in Santa Clara. and
Maceo sweeps westward"
Taking the unaddressed letter from
his pocket. Esteban said, II have an
other message for Col. Lopez"
THAT Lopez, He's here today and
there, tomorrow; one can never find
him"
wen, you must find him. and imme-
dlateIy. Asensio. This letter contains
jmportant neWs-so important in fact
-Esteban laughed lightiy-"that IL
you find yourself in danger from the
Spanis rds Id advise you to chew it up
and swallow il as quickly as you can"
"f'll member that" said the negro.
for there's danger enough. Stil, |
fear these SDaniards less than the
guerrilieros: they are everywhere They
call themselves patriots. but they are
nothing more than robbers. They"
Asensio paused abruptly. He seized
his companion by the arm and, leaning
forward. stared across the level garden
into the shadows opposite. Something
was moving there. under the trees; the
men could see that it was white and
form ess. and that 1t pursued an erratic
course.
What's that2" gasped the negro. He
began to tremble violently and his
breath became audible. Esteban was
compelled to hold him down by main
force. Jesus cristo! Its old Don
walks At midnight. carrying his head
in his two hands"
Young Narona managed TO whisper
with some show of courage Hush,
wait. ! don't believe in ghosts" New
ertheless. he was on the point of set
ting Asensio an example of uadigniffed
flight when the mysterious object
emerged from the shadows into the
open moonlight; then he sighed with
relief: "Ah-h, Now I see, 1t is my
stepmother, She is asleep"
Asleep" Asensio was incredulous.
He was still so unneryed by his first
fright that Esteban dared not release
him.
yes: her eyes are open. but she sees
nothing"
Il don't ike such things" the negro
confessed In Il shaky voice. How can
she walk IL she is asleep? II her eyes
are Open, how can she help seeing us {?
You know she hates Evangelina and
me-"
4 tell you she sees nothing, knows
nothing For moment or two they
watched the progress of the white
robed figure: then Esteban stirred and
rose from his seat. She's too close to
that well. There is He started
forward pace or two. They say
people who walk at night go mad IL
they're awakened too suddenly. and
vet"
Dona Isabel was talking in low.