Meade County news., 1918-09-05

the DOnlO, lney Ddue u IurIlVe eX'
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 a
rajah. It seemed incredible that this
ragged girl beside him was a regal
heiress, the possessor of a treasure
such as kings might envy. After time
he realized that the mere possession Of
these gems constituted q 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 a quite miraculous improve.
ment. While Evangelina prepared
breakfast the lovers agreed upon a
story to explain the origin Of that mys-
terious gold piece; and later Johnnie
warned jacket for second time to
keep his tongue between his teeth. =
Jacket nodded his complete compre-
henslon. "Surel All Spaniards are
robbers and they'd kill us for a peso
Yes, and the pacifcos are no better. I
tell you we need to get out of this
place."
Il intend to arrange 1t 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 hardshlps We'll encoun-
ter when, or IT, we get away"
Exactly what I was thinking. I've
been considering another plan. told
you about my friend at the market.
Well. he is miserable Spaniard, but
he has son in the manigua."
"One Of us?" Johnnie was surprised.
Eyes. The old fellow owns q volan-
dra In which he brings charcoal from
the eastward twice month. He might
take us out of here-on his schooner"
SLOW well does he like your"
"Oh, we are like two thieves"
After period Of thought O'Reilly
said, "Take me to him, and remember
I'm your brother Juan"
The Matanzas market did not pre-
sent a scene of great activity when the
two friends skunk into 1t. 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 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 a long,
thin-bladed knife in menaclng fashion.
AHA /! So there you are, robber Be
off now before slit your greedy little
bellyl Didn't I promise to give you to
the soldiers If you came back to bother
me?"
Jacket was unabashed by this hostile
reception. He grinned broadly and with
an impudent eye he scanned the empty
premises. "Where is my little fish2
he demanded. "As live, believe you
have sold I'll What miserI For the |
sake Of another centavo you would see
me starve? There's heart for you I |
Come, give me my fish, Or must I lie |
down and die before your very eyes to |
prove my hungerT
What a nuisance grumbled the |
marketman. He reached into basket |
and flung a mackerel upon the table. |
"Therel I saved 1t for you, and sent |
the good women Of Matanzas away
empty-handed. But 1t Is the very last.
Annoy me again and I shall open you
with my knife and put salt on you"
"Ahl You are my good captain I"
Jacket cried in triumph, possessing
himself Of the prize. "Where would l
have been but for your" Turning to
O'Rellly, who had looked on from dis
tance, he said, Captain NORM, this is
that brother Juan of whom / have told
you"
NORM smiled at Johnnie and extend
ed his dirty palm. "The little fellow
can speak the truth when he wishes, 1t
seems. began to doubt that he had a
brother. What boy, eh2"
"You have a son with the insurrec-
tosT
Eyes" The fisherman cast a furtive
glance over his shoulder.
"Why don't you go and fight by his
sidef" jacket demanded.
"God Forbid" NORM flung up his
hands. "Fm loyal subject"
"Well, we are going back to fight.
We are going to escape and join Gomez
once morew jacket made the an
calmly.
"'S-sh What talkw NORM was in
nervous panic lest they be overheard.
"As If anybody could escape from Ma
What made you come here If
you are so eager to fghtP'
'Tll tell you" O'Reilly assumed d.
rection Of the conversation. "There
are three Of us brothers, we two and
pretty little fellow. He was
captured by Cobo's men and driven In,
and we came to find him. But he is