Judsonia weekly advance., 1918-10-09

can I leave Cuba? What right have l to accept happiness and leave Rosa"
 This was a subject which Norine dreaded, question to which she knew no answer. She was not in a mood to discuss It, and made no attempt to do so. Instead, she laid the invalid upon his pillow, saying:
 Leslie Is waiting to wish you joy and quick recovery. May I ask him imp
 She stepped to the door, only to be- hold her late companion making off down the village street in great haste and evident excitement. Approaching between the drunken rows of grass huts was a little knot of people. Even as Norine watched 1t grew into con siderable crowd, for men and women and children came hurrying from their tasks. There were three figures in the lead, man and two boys, and they walked slowly, ploddingly. as if weary from a long march.
 "Esteban !" Norine cried in voice she scarcely recognized. She retreated into the doorway with one hand upon her leaping heart "Esteban Look They're cOming-here! Yes! It's-it's O'Reillyw
 Young Varona struggled from his hammock. "Rosal" he called, loudly, 'Rosat"
 There came a shadow, then in the doorway the figure of man, tattered scarecrow of a man whose feet were bare and whose brown calves were ex- posed through Tapping rags. His breast was naked where thorns had tried to stay him; his beard, even his hair, | were matted and unkempt, and the mud of many trails lay caked upon his garments.
 It was O'Reillyl Dumb with amazement, blind with tears, Norine found herself staring up- ward into his face, and heard him say ing:
 'I told you would bring her home."
 The next instant she lay upon his breast and sobs of joy were tearing at her.
 The story of Rosa's rescue came slowly and in fragments, for the news of O'Reilly's return caused a sensa- tion. His recital was interrupted many times. "As matter of fact. our get away was ridiculously easy" he said, flor we had luck at every turn-regu- lar Irish luck. made Morin inde- pendent for life, but 1t wasn't the money, 1t was Jacket who induced him to bring us clear to Turiguano. He landed us one night, this side of the Moron trocha. Since then we've waded swamps to our armpits, we've fought the jungle and chewed bark-but we're here" Johnnie heaved a deep sigh of relief.
 "Where did you get the money to hire schooners and corrupt captains ?" Branch inquired.
 O'Reilly hesitated; he lowered his voice to a whisper. "We found the Varona treasure"
 Norine uttered cry. "Not Don Es- teban's treasurer"
 Exactly. It was in the well where young Esteban told us 1t was.''
 Johnnie produced from his pocket a handful of coins. Branch's eyes bulged, he touched a gold piece respectfully, weighed it care fully, then pressed 1t to his lips. He rubbed 1t against his cheeks and in his hair; he placed 1t between his teeth and bit it.
 Its real" he cried. "Now let me look at the jewels"
 "Rosa has them. She's wearing them on her back. Hunched backs are lucky, you know hers is worth a fortune"
 "Why, this beats the Arabian Nights P" Norine gasped.
 "It beats" Branch paused, then wagged his head warningly at the girl. q don't believe a word of 1t and you mustn't"
 Then Johnnie told the story. When he had finished there was long mo. ment of silence. Then Norine qua vered tremulously: "That boy! That blessed boy!"
 "It's all too weirdly improbable, 2 O'Reilly smiled, "but ask Rosa or Jacket-the boy is bursting to tell some one. He nearly died because he couldn't brag about 1t to Captain Mo- rin, and there won't be any holding him now I'm afraid he'll tip off the news about that treasure in spite of all my warnings. Those jewels are a temptation; won't rest easy until they're safely locked up in some good vault. Now then, I've told you every thing, but I'm dying for news. Tell me about yourselves, about Esteban. I ex- pected to find him well. What ails him?"
 "Oh, Johnnie!'' Norine began. He's very i'll. He isn't getting well. Help me, Johnnie! Help me to get him l !,