Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1918-05-17

Dlack race.
Understand, my whole fortune Is
even to the deeds OF
patent for the plantations. 1t ! thOugnt
there was danger of you betraying me
1 would have your tongue pulled out
and your eyes torn from their sockets"
The black man spoke with SIM
plicity that carried conviction: "T1mes
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 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 will
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 Ordl-
narily spent. Sebastian had dug this
we'll, and with his own hands he had
beautified it's surroundings until they
were the loveliest 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 a narrow face and bold, closest
eyes. Spying Sebastian, 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,
a boy and a girl" His gray brows
drew together in 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 time and. then, / dare
say, he will remarry." At the Negroes
exclamation Cueto said: $50! And
why not? Everybody knows how rich
he is. From Oriente to Pinar del Rio
the women have heard about his treas
ure"
"What treasurer asked Sebastian,
after an instant's pause.
Cueto's dark eyes cleaned resent
fully at this show of ignorance, but he
laughed.
"Ho! There's a 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 consist2" 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 time? Did you
ever think that one little 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. 81 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 I am. I admire
you. We're both loyal to our master
| Ell? But now about Evangelina.'
| Cueto's 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 a 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-sell her.
! Sebastian uttered a 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, Ell? / am
only teasing you. But see! You have
given yourself away. Everything you
tell me proves that you know all about
that treasure"
81 know but one thing" the slave
declared, stiffening himself slowly,
"and that is to be faithful to Don Es-
teban" He turned and departed, 1eav-
ing Pancho Cueto staring after him
meditatively.
In the days following the birth OF
his children and the death of his wife,
Don Esteban Varona, as had been his
custom, steered a middle course In
politics, in that way managing to avoid
a clash with the Spanish officials who
| = hrn Il Will