Mexico Missouri message., 1918-08-29


animation. They found emeralds and
sapphires the value Of which they did
not attempt to estimate; and, besides
these, a miscellaneous assortment of
semiprecious stones.
OReilly realized vaguely that he
held in his lap fortune greater than
his widest dreams had ever COM
passed. These were the Jewels of
rajah. 1t seemed incredible that this
ragged girl beside him was a regal
helress, the possessor Of a treasure
such as kings might envy. After time
he realized that the mere possession Of
these gems constituted a new and over
whelming menace.
Morning found all hands more nearly
rational and feeling the first cravings
of healthy hunger. Even Asensio con-
fessed to quite miraculous improve
ment. While Evangelina prepared
breakfast the lovers agreed upon q
story to explain the origin of that mys-
terious gold piece, and later Johnnie
warned Jacket for a second time to
keep his tongue between his teeth.
Jacket nodded his complete compre-
hension. "Sure! All Spanlards are
robbers and they'd kill US for peso.
Yes, and the pacificos are no better.
tell you we need to get out Of this
place."
II intend to arrange it at once, but
the sight Of those jewels has frightened
me. If we are searched-if we are
even suspected: I'm wondering If Rosa
can endure the hardships Wen encOun-
ter when, or If, we get away"
Exactly what was thinking. I've
been considering another plan. told
you about my friend at the market.
Well, he is a miserable Spanlard, but
he has son in the manlgua."
"One of us?" Johnnie was surprised.
"Yes. The old fellow owns volan-
dra in which he brings charcoal from
the eastward twice month. He might
take US out of here-on his schooner"
"How well does he like your"
"Oh, we are like two thieves"
After a period of thought O'Reilly
said, "Take me to him, and remember
I'm your brother Juan"
The Matanzas market did not pre-
sent scene of great activity when the
two friends skunk into It. Like most
Spanish markets, the building was far
from clean and housed odors unpleas-
ant even to starving people. In the
smelliest section, at one of the fish
stalls, Jacket accosted villainous old
brigand in a rough Gallego cap, baggy
blouse and trousers, and straw SAN
dals.
"Good day, my captain" he cried,
cheerily.
The Spaniard raised his head.
scowled ferociously, then waved long,
thin-bladed knife in menacing fashion.
"Ahal So there you are, robber Be
off now before slit your greedy little
bellyi Didn't promise to give you to
the soldiers If you came back to bother
, met"
Jacket was unabashed by this hostile
reception. He grinned broadly and with
an impudent eye he scanned the empty
premises. "Where is my little fishr
he demanded. "As live, believe you
have sold It'll What a miseri For the
sake Of another centavo you would see
: me starve? There's a heart for you
Come, give me my 1shl Or must lie
down and die before your very eyes tC
: prove my hunger?"
"What a nuisancew grumbled the
e marketman. He reached into a basket
e and flung mackerel upon the table
}, 'There! saved 1t for you, and sent
I the good women of Matanzas away
e empty-handed. But 1t is the very last
: Annoy me again and shall open yoI
!. with my knife and put salt ON you"
I "Ahl You are my good captain +
o Jacket cried in triumph, possessing
e himself of the prize. "Where would
/ have been but for your Turning t
o O'Reilly, who had looked on from a dis
}. tance, he said, captain Norm, this Il
g that brother Juan Of whom have toll
you"
a NORM smiled at Johnnie and extend
d ed his dirty palm. "The little fellow
Il can speak the truth when he wishes,
u seems. began to doubt that he had
q brother. What boy, eh?"
u "You have a son with the insured
t. tos?"
n "Yes.n The fisherman cast a furtiv
e glance over his shoulder.
IS 'Why don't you go and fight by hi
N sideT jacket demanded.
p. "God forbidp NORM flung up hi
. hands. "Pm loyal subject"
]; "Well, we are going back to figh
Is We are going to escape and join Come
q once more r. jacket made the al
Is nouncement calmly.
g "'S-sh What talkl" NORM was in
II nervous panic lest they be oyerhear'
le "As If anybody could escape from Mi
y tanzasl What made you come here
of you are so eager to fightf"
'r 'Tll tell you" O'Reilly assumed d
Iy rectIon of the conversation. '%rheI
ID are three of us brothers, we two an
le Esteban. q pretty little fellow. he wa
captured by Cobo's men and driven 4
le and we came To find him But he