Evening star., 1918-01-06
II is my stepmothex, She, Is asleep.'

with the comandante when I learned the
truth. Through friendship ] prevailed
upon him to give you an hours grace"
What do you mean, Don Mario?' in
quired the girl
Come. Gomez the planter cried. i'm
patiently. Don't you see you can trust
me? God! The recklessness. the folly
of young people. Could you not leave
this insurrection to your elders? Or
perhaps you thought 1t a matter Of no
great Importance. an amusing
thing
Don Mario" Rosa Interrupted IT
don't know what you are talking
about"
You don't. eh?" The callers wet
cheeks grew redder; he blew like a
porpoise. Then call Esteban quickly.
the brother appeared De Castano
blurted out at him accusing1y: Wei.
sir. a fine fix you've put yourself in.
1 came here TO warn you. but Rosa
be interested to learn that Col.
Fernandez has issued orders to arrest
you and your sister as agents of the
insurrectos."
WHAT Esteban drew back. Rosa
turned white as a lily and laid a fiut-
tering hand upon her throat.
You two Will sleep tonight in San
severino. grimly announced the ro-
tund visitor. You know what that
means. Cubans who enter the Castillo
seldom come out. Have you noticed
the big sharks that swim about under
the walls of it? DO you know what
bait keeps them there? Well. I'll tell
you. It's the bodies OF rebel sym
pathiZers-foolish people like you who
call themselves patriots"
Rosa uttered smothered cry.
Col. Fernandez Don Mario pro-
ceeded impressively, did me this favor.
hand In spite of his duty and the
evidence he
Evidence? What evidence?" Esteban
asked. sharply.
For one thing. your own letter to
Lopez, the rebel, warning him to be-
ware of the trap prepared for him in
Santa Clara, and advising him of the
government force at Sabanilla. Oh.
don't try to deny it! I read it with my
own eyes, and it means-death."
In the ensuing silence the fat mans
asthmatic breathing sounded loudly; it
was like the respirations of an excited
eavesdropper.
At last Rosa said, family: "Esteban.
l warned you"
E,steban was taken aback. but it was
plain that he was not in the least fright
ened "They haven't caught me yet," he
laughed.
also?" Rosa eyed the caller anxiously.
Exactly"
but Why
Yes. Who accuses her, and of what?"
THAT also | have discovered through
the courtesy OF Col. Fernandez. Your ac-
cuser is none other than Pancho Cueto."
''Cueto,"
Yes, he has denounced both of you as
rebels. and the letter is only part of his
proof l believe. | don't know what other
evidence he has. but, take my word for
it. the government does not require much
proof these days. Suspicion is enough.
Now. then. you can guess why / am
here. / am not without influence; l can
save Rosa. but for you. Esteban. fear
l can md. do nothing You must look out for
We're wasting precious time standing
here with our mouths open"
When Esteban saw how pale his sister
had grown, he took her in his arms. say
ing. gently: I'm sorry. dear. It's all
my fault" Then to the merchant, at
was very good Of you to warn u.s.
"Ha"' Don Mario famed himself. I'm
glad you appreciate my efforts. It's a
good thing to have the right kind of
friend. I'll marry Rosa within an hour.
and fancy my name will be a sufficient
shield"
Rosa turned to her elderly suitor and
OF the honor" said she. You see. II
do not love you. Don Mario"
'Lovei' exploded the visitor. God
bless you. What has love to do with the
his life In ten minutes and your property
will be seized. So you had better make
yourself ready to so with me-"
But Rosa shook her head.
''Eh? What ails you? What do you ex-
pect to dor
II shall go with Esteban.'' said the
girl.
This calm announcement seemed to
stuDefy De Castano. He sat down heav-
lily in the nearest chair. and with his wet
handkerchief poised in one pudgy hand
he stared flxedly at the speaker. His
eyes were round and bulging, the sweat
streamed unheeded from his temples. He
resembled some queer bloated marine
monster just emerged from the sea and
n'ornentarily dazzled by the light.
You You're mad" he finally gasped.
Esteban, tell her what it MEANS
But this Esteban could not do, for he
himself had not the faintest notion OF
what was in store for him. War seemed
to him glorious thing; he had been told