The Ordway new era., 1918-09-27

| open moonlight: then he sighed with
relief; "Ah-h! Now see! II is my
stepmother. She is asleep"
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 Mt night go mad il they're awak-
ened too suddenly, and yet"
When the 'somnambulist's deliberate
progress toward the mouth of the well
continued he called her name softly.
Donna lsabell' Then lie repeated 1t
louder. Donna Isabel Wake up"
The woman seemed to hear and yet
not TO hear. She turned her head TO
listen, but continued to walk.
Don't be alarmed" he said. rcas-
suringly. ut is only Esteban-Donna
Isabel Stop" Esteban sprang for
ward, shouting at the top OF his voice.
for mt the sound of her name Isabel
had abruptly swerved to her right,
movement which brought her danger
ously close 10 the lip of the well.
"Stop, Go back, !" screamed the
| young man.
Above his warning there came n
shrek. shrill and agonized-a wall of
such abysmal terror as 10 shock the
night birds and the insects into still
ness. Donna Isabel slipped, or STUN
hled. 10 her knees. she balanced briefly.
clutching at random while the earth
and crumbling cement gave way he
meath her; then she slid forward and
disappeared, almost out from between
Esteban's hands. There was noisy
rattle of rock and pebble and great
splash far below; a chuckle OF little
stones striking the water, then faint
buhbling. Nothing more. The stepson
stood in his tracks. sick. blind with
horror; he was swaying over the open.
Ing when Asensio dragged him back.
Pancho Cueto. being heavy sleeper.
was the last to be reused by Esteban's
outcries. When he had hurriedly
slipped into his clothes in response to
the pounding on his door. the few serv-
ants that the establishment supported
had been thoroughly awakened. Cueto
thought they mus he out OF their
minds until he learned what had be-
fallen the mistress of the house. Then.
being man of action, he too issued
swift orders, with the result that hy
| the time he and Esteban had run to
! the well rope and lantern were ready
| for their use. Before Estehan could
form and fit loop for his shoulders
there was sufficient help ON hand to
lower him into the treacherous abyss.
Il That "a tuc r,ft
10 Es,ehnn, FOR the well had been long
unused. Its sides Were oozing slime. its
waters We're stale and black. He was
IN the point of fainting when he finally
climbed out. leaving the negroes to
hoist the dripping. inert weight which
he had found AT the bottom
! Old Sebastian's curse had come
true; Donna Isabel had met the fate
| he had called down upon her that day
when he hung exhausted in his chains
and when the files tormented him.
The treasure for which the woman had
intrigued SO tireiessly had been her
death. Furthermore. as IL in grim.
NEST irony. she had been permitted AT
the very last TO ind it. Living. she
had searched TO no purpose whatso-
ever: dying. she had almost crasped
II In her arms
Once the first excitement had abated
and messenger had been sent to
town. Cueto drew Estehan aside ana
questioned him.
a shocking tragedy and most pc.
cnliar," said the overscer. Nothing
could amaze me more Tell me, how
did YOU come to be there at such an
hour eh7"
Esteban saw the malevolent curios-
ity In Cueto's face and started. Il
That Is my affair. Surely YOU don't
think"
Come, come, You can trust me. -
The overseer winked and smiled
Il had business that took me there, =
stifiiy declared the younger man.
Exactly And a profitable bust
ness 1t proved" Cueto laughed openly
now. Well. don't mind telling you
Donna lsahers death is no disappolnf.