The Mena weekly star., 1918-10-17

Priests and those doctors. you know
 She died without speaking"
 linen It rests between you and me ~E
 Tt does, unless you have babbled.e
 Masterr 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 thought there was danger of you betraying me l would have your tongue pulled out and your eyes torn from their sockets, g
 The black man spoke with a sim plicity that carried conviction: sTimes are unsettled, Don Esteban, and death comes without warning. You are known to be the richest man in this province and these government officials are robbers. Suppose-I should be left alone? What then?"
 The planter considered for a mo- ment Well, when my children are old enough to hold their tongues they viii have to be told. If I'm gone, you shall be the one to tell them. Now leave me /; this Is no time to speak of such things. !"
 Sebastian went as noiselessly as he had come. On his way back to his quar- ters he took the path to the well--the place where most of his time was ordi- narily spent. Sebastian had dug this well, and with his own hands he had beautifed it's surroundings until they were the lovellest on the varona grounds. It 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 Sebastian, he began:
 "SQ Don Esteban has an heir al last?''
 The slave rubbed his eyes with the heel of his huge yellow palm and an. swered. respectfully:
 Yes, Don Pancho. Two little angels, a boy and girl" His gray brows drew together in a painful frown. Donna Rosa was q saint. No doubt there Is great rejoicing in heaven at her coming. Eh? What do yon think T'
 "Um-n Possibly. Don Esteban will miss her for time and then, I dare say, he will remarry." At the negro's exclamation Cueto said; "Soi And why not? Everybody knows how rich he is. From Oriente to Pinar del Rio the women have heard about his treas nra"
 What treasurer" asked Sebastian. after an instants pause.
 Cueto's dark eyes gleamed resent fully at this show of ignorance, but he laughed.
 "Hol There's a careful fellow for youl No wonder he trusts you. But do you think have neither eyes nor earsf 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 your"
 Sehastian's face was like a mask carved from ebony. "0f what does this treasure eonsist?" he inquired. q have never heard about it.a
 ''Of gold, of jewels, of silver bars and precious ornaments" Cueto's head was thrust forward, his nostrils were dilated, his teeth gleamed. "Oh, it is somewhere about. as you very well know! Bahl Don't deny 1t. I'm no fool. What becomes of the monev from the slave girls. eh? And the sugar crops, too? Does 1t 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 time? Did you ever think that one little gem, one bag of gold. would buy your freedomf''
 Don .Esteban has promised to buy my freedom and the freedom of my girl"
 "So2" The manager was plainly surprised. 'T didn't know that" After a moment he began to laugh. And yet you pretend to know nothing about that treasure2 Hal You're good boy, Sebastian, and so am. I admire you. We're both loyal to our master, eh2 But now about Evangelina." Cueto's face took on craftier express sion. "She is likely girl, and when she grows up she will be worth more than you, her father. Don't forget that non Esteban fs befOrp all else n busi- ness man. Be careful that some one doesn't make him so good an offer for your girl that he will forget his prom ise and-sell her"
 Sebastian uttered hoarse, animal cry and the whites of his eyes showed through the gloom. "He would never sell Evangelina !"
 Cueto laughed aloud once more. "Of coursel He would not dare. eh? am only teasing you. But see You have given yourself away. Everything you tell me proves that you know all about that treasure"
 now but one thing" the slave -Sc4a4ed, stiffening himself slowly, 'and that is to be faithful to Don Es- teban." He turned and departed. leav- ing Pancho Cueto staring after him medltatIvely.
 In the days following the birth of his children and the death of his wife, Don Esteban varona, as had been bis custom, steered a middle course in politics, in that way managing to avoid