Mexico Missouri message., 1918-05-23


plain that he was not In the least
frightened. "They haven't caught me
yet" he laughed.
you say they intend to arrest me
also2" Rosa eyed the caller anxiously.
Exactly"
"Who accuses her, and of whatT
Esteban demanded.
THAT also have discovered through
the courtesy of Colonel Fernandez.
Your accuser is none other than Pan
cho Cueto."
"CuetoI"
Eyes; he has denounced both of you
as rebels, and the letter is only part
of his proof, believe. Now, then, you
can guess why 1 am here. / am not
without influence; can save Rosa, but
for you, Esteban, fear can do moth
ing. You must look out for yourself.
Well? What do you say2"
When Esteban saw how pale his Sis
ter had grown, he took her In his arms,
saying gently: I'm sorry, dear. It's all
my fault" Then to the merchant:
TITS very good of you to warn u.s."
"Hal" Don Mario famed himself.
I'm glad you appreciate my efforts.
It's good thing to have the right kind
of a friend. I'll marry Rosa within an
hour, and fancy my name will be
sufficient shield"
Rosa turned to her elderly sutton
and made a deep courtesy. 81 am I'M
worthy of the honor" said she. "You
see, II do not love you, Don Mario"
'Love" exploded the visitor. God
bless youi What has love to do with
the matter7 Esteban will have to ride
for his life in ten minutes and your
| property will be seized. So you had
better make yourself ready to go with
me-"
But Rosa shook her head.
"Eh? What ais your What do you
expect to doT
"I shall go with Esteban," said the
girl.
This calm announcement seemed to
stupefy De Castano. He sat down
heavily In the nearest chair, and with
his wet handkerchief poised in one
| pudgy hand he stared fixedly at the
speaker. His eyes were round and
bullying, the sweat streamed unheeded
from his temples. He resembled some
queer bloated marine monster just
emerged from the sea and momentarily
dazzled by the light.
| you You're mad" he finally
gasped. "Esteban, tell her what 1t
| means"
But this Esteban could not do, for
he himself had not the faintest no
ton of what was in store for him. War
seemed to him glorious thing; he had
been told that the hills were peopled
with patriots. He was very young, his
heart was ablaze with hatred for the
Spaniards and for Pancho Cueto. BE
longed to risk his life for free Cuba.
Therefore he said: "Rosa shall do as
she pleases. If we must be exiles we
shall share each others hardships. II
will not be for long,"
"Tdiotw stormed the fat man. "Bet.
ter that you gave her to the sharks
below San Severino. There is no law
no safety for women outside Of the
cities. The island is In anarchy. These
patriots you talk about are the blacks
the mulattoes, the-lowest, LATEST say
ages in Cuba"
"Please! Don Mario!" the CIR
pleaded. 81 cannot marry you, for
love another"
"Eh?"
II love another. I'm betrothed t.
O'Reilly. the Amerlcan-and he's com
ing back to marry me-"
De Castano twisted himself Iabori
ously out Of his chair and waddleC
toward the door. He was purple witt
rage and modification. On the thresh
old he paused to wheeze: every we'll
then. Col I'm done with both of you
would have lent you hand with thi!
rascal Cueto, but now he will fall he'll
to your entire property. Well, 1t II
time for banditsl IL" Unable t
think of parting speech sufficient!
bitter to match his disappointment
Don Mario plunged out into the sun
light, muttering and stammering t.
himself.
Within an hour the twins were oil
their way up the Yumuri, toward tn
home of Asensio and Evangelina; 70
1t was thither that they natural.
turned. 1t was well that they hat
made haste, for as they rode down int
the valley, up the other side of the hill
from Matanzas came a squad of tn
Guardia Civil, and at its head rod
Pancho Cueto.
CHAPTER