Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-04-16

y
1T does, unless you have babbled."
MASTER" Sebastian drew himself
up and there was real dignity in his
black face.
Understand, my whole fortune is
there-everything even to the deeds of
patent for the plantations. If l thought
there was danger of you betraying me
| would have your tongue pulled out
and your eyes torn from their sockets"
The black man spoke with sim
plicity that carried conviction: "Times
are unsettled, Don Esteban, and death
known to be the richest man in this
province and these government officials
are robbers. SUPPOSE should be left
alone? What them"
The planter considered for a mo-
ment. "Well, when my children are old
enough to hold their tongues they will
have to be told If Pm gone, you shall
be the one to tell them. Now leave me |;
this is no time to speak of such things"
Sebastian went as Roiselessly as he
had come. On his way back to his quar-
terS he took the path to the weli-the
place where most OF his time was ordi-
narily spent. Sebastian had dug this
well, and with his own hands he had
beautifed its surroundings until they
were the loveliest on the Varona
grounds. 1t was Sebastian's task to
keep this place green. and thither he
took his way, from force of habit.
Through the twilight came Pancho
CuetO, the manager, youngish man.
with narrow face and bold, close-set
eyes. Spying Sebastias, he began:
$50 Don Esteban has an heir at
last?"
The slave rubbed his eyes with the
heel Of his huge yellow palm and an
Swered, respectfully:
yes, Don PanchO. Two little angels,
boy and a girl" He gray brows
drew together in a painful frown.
Donna Rosa was a saint. No doubt
there is great rejoicing in heaven at
her coming. Eth? What do you think ?"
"Um-m! Possibly. Don Esteban will
miss her for a time and then, 1 dare
say, he will remarry." At the negrOs
exclamation Cueto said: ''Sol And
why not? Everybody knows how rich
he is. From Oriente to Pinar del Rio
ure."
"What treasurer" asked Sebastian,
after an instants pause.
CuetO's dark eyes cleaned resent
fully at this show of ignorance, but he
laughed.
"Ho! There's careful fellow for
you! No wonder he trusts you. But
do you think | have neither eyes nor
ears? My good Sebastian, you know
all about that treasure; in fact, you
know far more about many things than
Don Esteban would care to have you
tell. Come now, don't yOu?"
Sebastian's face was like a mask
carved from ebony. "Of what does this
treasure consist?' he inquired. 81 have
never heard about it,"
"Of gold. OF jewels, of silver bars
and precious ornaments" Cueto'S head
was thrust forward, his nOstrils were
dilated his teeth cleaned. "Oh, it is
somewhere about, as you very we'll
know Bah! Don't deny it. I'm no
fool. What becomes of the money
from the slave girls Ell? And the
sugar crops, too? Does it go to buy
arms and ammunition for the rebels?
No. Don ESteban hides it, and you
help him. Come he cried disregard
ing Sebastian'S murmurs of protest
"did you ever think how fabulous that
fortune must be by this t&ne? Did you
ever think that one I&Ale gem, one
bag of gold, would buy your freedom?"
Don Esteban has promised to buy
my freedom and the freedom of my
girl"
"SO?" The manager was plainly
surprised. Il didn't know that" After
a moment he began to laugh. And
yet you pretend to know nothing about
that treasure? Ha! You're a good
boy, Sebastian, and so / am. / admire
you. We're both loyal to our master,
Ell? But now about Evangelina"
CuetoS face took on a craftier express
sion. "She is a likely girl, and when
she grows up she will be worth more
than you. her father. Don't forget that
Don Esteban is before all else q bust
ness man. Be careful that some one
doesn't make him so good an offer for
your girl that he will forget his prom
Use and-Sen her"
Sebastian uttered n hOarse animal
cry and the whites of his eyes showed
through the gloom. "He would never
sell Evangelina! !"
Cueto laughed aloud once more. "Of
course. He would not dare, th? / am
only teasing you. But see! You have
given yourself away. Everything you
tell me proves that you know all about
that treasure"
II know but one thing" the slave
declared, stiffening himself slowly.
"and that is to be faithful TO Don Els
teban." He turned and departed, leav-
ing Pancho Cueto staring after him
meditatively.
In the days following the birth of
Don ESteban NarOna, as had been his
custom, steered a middle course in
politics. in that way managing To avoid
clash with the Spanish officials who
ruled the island. or an open break with
his Cuban neighbors, who rebelled be-
meath their wrongs ESteban dealt
automatically with both factions and
went on raising slaves and sugar to his
own great profit.
The twins, ESteban and Rosa. devel-
oped into healthy children and became
the pride of Sebastian and his daugh-
ter. into whose care they had been
given. AS for Evangelina, the young
negress, she grew tall and strong and
handsome. until she was the finest
slave girl in the neighborhood.
Then, one day, Don ESIeban Varona
remarked. and the Donna Isabel. who
had been famous Habana beauty.
came to live at the Quinta. The daugh-
ter Of impoverished parents, she bed