Evening star., 1918-01-06

why the old man didn't get down to
cases.
It's more than an uprising. sir" he
said The rebels have overrun the
eastern end OF the island, and when
left Maceo and Gomez were sweeping
west"
"Baht 1t takes money TO run war"
They have money" desperately ar
than million dollars. and every Cuban
ciSar-Hnaker in the United States gives
a part of his wages every week to the
cause. The best blood of Cuba is in
the fight. The rebels are poorly armed
but II our government recognizes their
belligerency they'll soon fix that. Sps...
Is about busted; sne can't stand the
strain"
Il predict they'll quit fighting as soon
as they get hungry. The government is
starving them out. However they've
wound up our affairs for the time be-
ing. and Mr.. Carter carefully
shifted the position OF an ink well,
calendar and paper knise-''that
brings us to a consideration OF your
ana my affairs, doesn't it? Ahem,
You remember our bargain? I was to
give you n chance and you were to make
good before you-er-planned any--er
matrimonial foolishness with my
daughter
Yes. sir" o'Reilly felt that the
4earsed speech. but, unhappiiy. he
could not remember how the swan
song started. He racked his brain for
the opening words
MT Carter. too. was unaccountably
silent. He opened his lips, then closed
them. Both men, after an awkward
pause. cleared their throats in unison
and eyed each other expectantly. An
choruseo:
Il have an unplea asant-"
Each broke or at the echo of his
own words.
What's that?" inquired the importer
'N-nothing. You were saying"
II was thinking how lucky it is that
you and Elsa waited Hmm! Very
fortunate Again Mr.. Carter rear
ranged his desk fittings "She has
aeep Ieeiings-got conscience, too.
conscience Is fine thing in woman
SO feW or 'em have II. We sometimes
differ. Elsa and !, but when she sets her
feart on thing | see that she gets II,
even II ! think she oughtn't to have il.
WHAT'S the use of having children IL
you can't spoil 'en. ehe" He looked up
with sort of resentful challenge, and
when his listener appeared to agree
with him he sighed with satisfaction.
Early marriages are silly-but she
seems to think otherwise Maybe she's
right Anyhow. she's licked me. I'm
done She wants to be married right
away, before we go west. That's why
sensible fellow. Jofnnie--no foolishness
about you You won't object. will you?
We men have to take our medicine"
Its quite out of the question:"
stamnered the unhappy O'Reilly
Come, GOMEZ It's tough on you, I
know. but The fuse had begun
to sputter. Johnnie had a horrffied
vision of himself being dragged unwill-
ingly to the altar. Elsa is going to
have what she wants. il / have to break
somt thing. If you'll be sensible I'll
stand behind you like father and
teach you the business. I'm getting old.
and Ethelbert could never learn it.
Otherwise" The old mans jaw set;
his eyes began to CLEAN angrily
Who is-Ethelbert?" family inquired
O'Reiny.
Why; dammit! He's the fellow i've
been telling you about. He's not SO
bad as he sounds; he's really a nice
Elsa is in love with another man?
Is that what you mean?"
Good Lord. yes! Don't you under
stand English2 I didn't think you'd
take it so hard-I was going to make
place for you here in the office, but
of course If Say, What the deuce
ails Tou?"
Samuel Carter stared with amaze
ment. for the injured victim of his
daughters fickleness had leaped to his
feet and was shaking his hand vigor-
ously;. meanwhile utter.ng unintelligible
sounds that seemed to signify relief
pleasure, delight-anyth ng except what
the old man expected.
Are you crazy. or am r. he queried.
Yes. sir; delirious. 1t 8 this way, sir;
I've changed my mind too"
OH! You have?"
I've met the dearest. sweetest
O,Reilly checked. then began again
the dearest. loveliest-''
Never mind the bird-cal1s-don't
coo. l get enough of that at home.
Don't tell me she's dearer and sweeter
than Elsa. Another girl, Well, I'll be
damned. Young man. you're fool"
Slightly Modified by this ready ac
acknowledgement. Mr.. Carter grunted with
relief "Humph. 1t turned out better
than I thought. Why. IL was posi-
lively terrified when You walked in.
And to think you didn't need any
sympathy"
Il do need that job though. 1t will
enable me to get married"
Nonsensei Better wait. I don't be-
lieve in early engagements"
Oh yes, you do"
We'll. that depends \ But. say
you're pretty nervy youth to turn
down my daughter and then hold me
up for a job, all in the same breath.
Here! Don't dance on my rug. L
ought TO be offended. and I am. but
Get out while | telephone Elsa, so she
can dance, too"
OReilly spent that evening in writing
a long letter to Rosa Varona. During
the next few days his high spirits
proved trial and an affront to Mr..
SLACK, VINO, now that his employer had
departed for the west. had assumed a
subdued and gloomy dignity to match
the somber responsibilities Of his posi-
tfon.
other letters went forward by sue
ceeding posts. and there was no doubt
now that O'Reilly's pen was tipped
with magic! He tingled when he re-
read what he had written. He bade
Rosa prepare for his return and their
immediate marriage. The fun and the
excitement of planning their future
caused him to fill page after page with
thrilling details of the fat-hunting.
home-fitting excursions they would
take upon their return to New York.
He wrote her ecstatic descriptions of a
suite of Grand Rapids furniture he had
priced; he wasted a thousand emotional
words over a set of china he had picked
out. and the results of preliminary
trip into the apartment house district
required a convulsive three-part letter
to relate. 1t is remarkable with what
poetic feryor, what, strength of feeling
a lover can describe a five-room flat
with what g1orfes he can furnish it out
of modest salary and still leave
enough for life of luxury
But O'Rei1ly's letters did not always
touch upon practical things: there was
wide streak of romance in him, and
much Of what he wrote was the sort
of thing which romantic lovers always
thoughts which half abashed him when
would thrill to them he had no doubt,
nor had he any fear that she would
hesitate to leave her native land for
him O'Rei1ly'S love was unlimited.