The Mena weekly star., 1918-10-17

as the victim or mercenary marriage he turned bitterly against his wife. Her curiosity he sullenly resented. and he unblushingly denied his possession of any considerable wealth. In fact he tried with malicious ingenuity to make her believe him a poor man. But Isabel was not of the sort to be readily deceived. Finding her arts and co ! quetries of no avail, she flew into rage, and a furious quarrel ensued- the first of many. For the lady could not rest without knowing all there was to know about the treasure. 1 She searched the quinta, of course, whenever she had chance, but she discovered nothing-with tine result that the mystery began to engross her whole thought. She pried into the ob. scurest corners, she questioned the slaves, she lay awake at night listening to Esteban's breathing, in the hope oi surprising his secret from his dreams At length time came when they lived In frank enmity; when Isabel never spoke to Esteban except Tn reproach ol anger, and when Esteban unlocked his lips only to taunt his wife with the fact that she had been thwarted de spite her cunning.
 It was only natural under such con. ditions that Donna Isabel should learn to dislike her Estebap had told her frankly that they would inherit whatever fortune he possessed As may be imagined, she found ways to vent her spite upon the twins. She widened her hatred so as to include old Sebastian and his daughter, and even went SC far as to persecute Evange lina's sweetheart, slave named Asen. sio.
 It had not taken Donna Isabel long to guess the reason for Sebastian's many privileges, and one of her frs; efforts had been to win the old mans confidence. It was in vain, however that she fiattered and caioled or stormed and threatened; Sebastian withstood her as a towering ceiba with. stands the summer heat and the win. | ter hurricane.
 His firmness made her vindictive and So in time she laid a scheme to esrange him from his master. Donna Isabel was crafty. She began to complain about Evangelina. but fl was only after many months that she ventured to suggest to her husband that he sell the girl. Esteban, of course, refused point-blank he was toe i fond of Sebastian's daughter, he de l clared, to think of such a thing.
 'So, that is it." sneered Donna Isa. bel. Well, she is young and shapely and handsome, as wenches go. rather suspected you were fond of her." With difficulty Esteban restrained an oath. You mistake my meaning" he said stifiiy. sebastian has served me faithfully, and Evangelina plays with my children. She is good to them she is more of mother to them than you have ever been"
 'Is that why you dress her like a ladyf Bahl A likely storyi" Isabel l tossed her fine, dark head. I'm not blind; l see what goes on about me. won't have that weneh in my house." Goaded to fury by his wife's sense less accusation, Esteban cried: Your house? By what license do you call it yours?r
 Am l not married to you2" -Yes-as a leech is married to its victim. You suck my blood" -Four bleod" The woman laughed shriliy. You have no blood; your veins run vinegar. You are miser." "AIiser Miser! l grow sick of the word. It is all you find to taunt me with. Confess tiiat you married me | for my money" he roared. "Of course I did Do you think a woman of my beauty would marry you for anything eise7 But fine bargain I madel''
 "yampire!"
 "Wife or vampire, intend to rule this house. and I refuse to be shamed by thicklipped African. Her airs tell her story. She Is insolent to me, butt sha'n't endure it. She laughs at me. We'll. your friends shall hugh at you"
 "Siiencew commanded Esteban. "Seil her, or"
 Without waiting to hear her threat Esteban tossed his arms above his head and fled from the room. Flinging himself Into the saddle, he spurred down the hill and through the town to the Casino de Espanol, where he spent the night at cards with the Spanish of ficials. But he didnot sell Evangelina In the days that followed many simi. lar scenes occurred. and as Esteban's home life grew more unhappy his dissi- pations increased. He drank and gam bled heavily; he brought his friends to the quinta with him, and strove to for get domestic unpleasantness in bolster ous revelry.
 His wife, however, found opportuni- ties enough to weary and exasperate him with reproaches regarding the slave girl.
 tT) be contlnued.l
 SURGEONS agree that in cases of Cuts, Burns, Bruises and Wounds, the FIRST sTsE K 4 TRfErNTT Ia T..aeA :s...o-.