The Carlisle independent., 1918-05-02

k%%%<%%%<%$%e%%%<%%% brother" she cried. shrilly. 'We1l tell Don Pablo to go home and leave our Evangelina."
 My blessed dovesi But will they listen to you?" moaned the slave
 Papa does whatever we ask" they assured her. gravely. If he should growl we'll come back and hide you in the big wardrobe where nobody will ever find you" Then hand in hand, with their long nightgowns lifted to their knees. they battered out into the hall and down toward the living room, whence came the shouting and the laughter
 Don Mario de Castano, who was fac ing the door, stopped in the midst of a ribald song to cry God be praised ' What's this 1 seer"
 The others looked and then burst into merriment, for across the litter of cards and dice and empty glasses they saw dimpled girl and boy. as like as two peas. They were just out of bed :; they were peering through the smoke, and blinking like two little owls.
 "Sol You awaken the household with your songs," some one chided Don Mario.
 Two cherubs from heaven" another exclaimed.
 But the father lurched forward, a frown upon his face. "What is this, my dears?" he inquired, thickly. Run back to your beds. This is no place for you"
 I've love Evangelina," piped the twins. You must not let Don Pablo have her-if you please"
 "Evangelina?"
 They nodded "We love her. She plays with us every day. :. We want her to stay here. She belongs to us''
 Accustomed as they were to prompt compliance with their demands. they spoke imperiously; but they bad never seen a frown like this upon their ia ther's face.
 "Go to your rooms, my sweethearts, Don Esteban directed.
 We want Evangelina. She belongs to us" they chorused, stubbornly.
 Don Pablo shook with laughter "So She belongs to you. eh? And I'm to be robbed of my winnings. Very well, then, come and give me a kiss, both of you, and Tll see what can be done"
 But the children saw that Don Pab- los face was strangely flushed, that his eyes were wild and his magnificent beard was wet with wine; therefore they hung back.
 You won your bet fairly" Esteban growled at him. Pay no heed to these babies"
 "Evangelina is ours" the little ones bravely repeated.
 Then their father exploded: "The deyill Am I dreaming? Where have you learned to oppose me? Back to your beds. both of you" Seeing them hesitate, he shouted for his wife. "Ho, there. Isabel. my love! Come put these imps to rest. Or must I teach them manners with my palm? A fine thing, truly! Are they to be allowed to roam the house at will and get a fever?"
 Mere mention of their stepmother's name was enough for Rosa and Este ban; they scuttled away as fast as they could go and when Donna Isabel came to their rooms. a few moments later, she found tlem in their beds, with their eyes deceitfully squeezed shut. Evangelina was covering in a corner. Isabel had overheard the wager, and her soul was evilly alight; she jerked the slave girl to her feet and with a blow of her palm sent her to her quarters. Then she turned her at tention to the twins When she left them they were weeping silently, both for themselves and for Evangelina, whom they dearly loved.
 Day was breaking when Esteban Varona bade his guests good-by at the door of his house. AS he stood there Sebastian came to him out of the mists of the dawn. He was half crazed from apprehension. and now cast him. self prone before his master, begging for Evangelina.