Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-03
By REX BEACH
Copyright, 1916, by Harper & Bros.D

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Copyright. 1916, by Harper & Bros.D
ones hopes, and although his sensi-
bilities had been dulled. his apprehen-
sions had been quickened hour by
squarely in the face, It seemed absurd
to believe that a tender girl like Rosa
Varona could long have withstood the
hardships Of this hidsous place;
cumbed. by the hundreds. Even now
the hospitals were full the sick lay
INTENDED in their novels. No one, so
for as O'Reilly knew. had undertaken
to estimate how fast they were dying
or the number of dead which had al
ready ridden out of Matanzas in those
rumbling wagons, but there were
had not been among the latter? Bet
ter by far had she remained among
the empty fields and the barren
slopes Of the Pan de Matan;
held roots and the trees bore fruits or
berries. while here was nothing but
gaunt famine and grinning disease.
As he breasted the summit of La
lance bent figure of want It was
negro woman, grubbing In the earth
with a sharpened stick. After a suspi-
cious scrutiny of him she resumed her
digging.
Nothing but a heap of stones and
plaster remained of the Varona home.
The grounds once beautiful even when
neglected as in Dona Isabefs time.
were now scene of total desolation.
A few orange trees, to be sure. remain
ed standing. and although they were
cool and green to look at. they carried
no fruit and the odor of their blooms
was a trial and a mockery to the
hungry visitor. The evidences of
Cueto's vandalism affected OReilly
deeply: they brought him memories
more painful than he had anticipated.
Although the place was well nigh I'M
recognizable. nevertheless it cried aloud
of Rosa, and the unhappy lover could
barely control the emotions 1t awaken
ed. 1t was indeed morbid impulse
which had brought him thither, but now
that he was here he could not leave.
Unconsciously his feet turned toward
the ancient quarry which had formed
the sunken garden-his and Rosa's
trysting place.
O'Reilly desired above all things to
be alone at this moment. and SO he was
annoyed to discover that another per-
son was before him-a woman, evident
ly some miserable pacifico like himself.
She. too, appeared to be looking for
roots. and he almost stumbled over
her as he brushed through the guava
bushes fringing the depression.
His sudden appearance alarmed the
creature and she struggled. panic
stricken, out Of his path. Her rags
could not conceal the fact that she
was deformed, that her back was
crooked, SO he muttered' reassuring
word to her.
This place was more as he had left
it-there was the stone bench where
he had said goodbye to Rosa: yonder
was the we'll.
"Senorw johnnie heard himself ad-
dressed by the hunch-backed woman.
Her voice was thin, tremulous, eager,
but his thoughts were busy and he paid
no heed. 'tSenor! Do you look for
something-some one"
stractedly. YES, am looking for
something-some one"
Something you have 1ost?'
Something I have LOST The ques-
ton came to him family, but it was
SO in tune with his unhappy mood that
it affected him strangely. He found
that his eyes were blurring and that
an aching lump had risen into his
throat This was the breaking point.
OReilly's hearing, too. was going
wrong, for he imagined that some one
whispered his name. God! This place
was not dead-it was alive-terribly
alive with memories, voices, presence
unseen yet real He laid hold of the
nearest bush TO steady himself. he clos
ed his eyes. only to hear his name
spoken louder:
"O'Rail-ye"
Johnnie brushed the tears from his
lashes. He turned, he listened, but
there was no one to be seen, no one,
that is, except the dusky cripple who
had Strengthened herself and was fac
ing him, poised uncertainty. He looked
at her a second time, then the world
his way toward her. He peered again,
closer. for everything before his eyes
was swimming.
The woman was thin-little more
ell Iato nd
wind appeared to sway her, but her
face, uplifted to the sun, was glorified.
O'Reilly stood rooted, staring at her
until she opened her eyes. then he voic-
ed a great cry:
''Rosa"' What more he said he never
He took the misshapen figure into his
arms, he rained kisses upon the
not respond; her puny strength had
flown and she lay inert in his embrace,
scarcely breathing. Tears stole down
her cheeks and very family her fingers
f1uttered over his bearded cheeks.
Dazed. doubling. astounded. it was
some time before Johnnie could con-
vince himself of the reality of this mo-
ment, and even then words did not
come to him. for his mind was in tur-
MOL. Joy. Thanksgiving. compassion
a thousand emotions-mingled in
sort of delirium, too wild for coherent
thought or speech.
senses, for he became aware that Rosa
had collapsed and that his endearments
left her unthrilled. Quickly he bore
her to the bench and laid her upon it.
After a time she smiled up into his
eyes and her words were scarcely more
than a murmur:
God heard my prayers and sent you
to me-"
Rosa! You are ill, you are weak"
Her eyelids f1uttered. Il am dying,
O'Rail-ye. 1 only waited to see you"
NO. no. In agony he gathered her
once more into his arms.
"Oh, yes.' Her bloodless fingers
touched his face again. then his thin.
worn rags. You, too, have suffered.
How came you to be so poor and hun
CRY. O'Rail-ye?"
I'm not poor. I'm rich. See" He
jingled the coins in his pocket. That's
money: money for you. sweetheart. 1t
will buy you food and medicine, it will
make you well and strong again. Rosa.
dear. I have looked for you SO long.
SO long, His voice broke wretch
eddy and he bowed his head. I'll
was afraid"
Il waited as long as 1 had strength
to wait" she told him. 1T is too Dad