Judsonia weekly advance., 1918-06-05

1 they managed to quaver: What has happened? Who has harmed you?"
 Don Pablo Peza," wept the negress. Your father has sold me to him--lost me at cards. Oh, I shall die! Sebas- tian won't believe it. He is praying. And Asensio- But what can they do to help me? You alone can save me- You won't let Don Pablo take nc away? It would kill me-"
 Wait v Esteban scrambled out of bed and stood before his dusky nurse and playmate. Don't cry any more. I'll tell papa that you don't like Don Pablo"
 Rosa followed. "Yes, come along, brother" she cried, shrilly. "WeTl tell Don Pablo to go home and leave our 1 Evangelina.'
 My blessed dovesl 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 ribald song to cry: God be praisedi Whats this l see?" 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, us like as two peas. They were just out of bed; i; they were peerng through the smoke, and blinking like two little owls.
 "So! You awaken the household with your sOngs," some one chided Don ] Mario.
 Two cherubs from heaven" another exclaimed.
 But the father lurched forward, frown upon his face. What is this, my dears?' he inquired, thickly. Run back to your beds. This Is no place for you"
 We 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."
 "Go to your rooms, my sweethearts," Don Esteban directed.
 I've want EvangeIina. She belongs to us," they chorused, stubbornly.
 Don Pablo shook with laughter "Soi She belongs to you. eh? And I'm to be robbed of my winnings. Very well, then, come and give me kiss, both of you, and Pll 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"
 bravely repeated.
 Then their father exploded: "The devil! 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 lovel Come put these imps to rest. Or must I teach them manners with my palm7 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, few moments later, she found them in their beds. with their eyes deceitfully squeezed shut. Eyangelina was covering in corner. Isabel had overheard the wager, and her soul was evilly alight; she jerked the slave girl to her feet and with blow of her palm sent her to her quarters. Then she turned her at- l 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 craxe0 from apprehension, and now cast him. self prone before his master. begging for Evangelina.