The Carlisle independent., 1918-05-02

 sion. "She is likely girl, and when she grows up she will be worth more than you, her father. Don't forget that Don Esteban is before all else busi- ness man. Be careful that some one doesn't make him so good an offer for your girl that he will forget his prom ise and-sell her"
 Sebastian uttered hoarse, animal cry and the whites of his eyes showed through the gloom. He would never sell Evangelina l''
 CuetO laughed aloud once more. "0f course. He would not dare. eh? I am only teasing you. But seel You have given yourself away. Everything you tell me proves that you know all about that treasure"
 "I know but one thing the slave declared stiffening himself slowly. "and that is to be faithful to Don Es- teban." He turned and departed, leav- ing Rancho Cueto staring after him meditatively.
 In the days following the birth of his children and the death of his wife,
  custom, steered middle course in politics, in that way managing to avoid clash with the Spanish officials who ruled the island. or an open break with his Cuban neighbors, who rebelled be- heath their wrongs. Esteban dealt Automatically with both factions and went on raising slaves and sugar to his own great profit.
 The twins, Esteban and Rosa, deyel- oped into healthy children and became the pride of Sebastian and his daugh- ter. into whose care they had been given. As for Evangelina, the young negress. she grew tall and strong and handsome until she was the finest slave girl in the neighborhood.
 Then, one day, Don Esteban Varona remarried, and the Donna Isabel. who had been a famous Habana beauty, came to live at the quinta. The daugh- ter of impoverished parents, she had heard and thought much about the mysterious treasure of La Cumbre.
 Before the first feryor of his honey moon cooled the groom began to fear
 
 Donna Isabel, he discovered, was both vain and selfish. Not only did she crave luxury and display. but with sin gular persistence she demanded to know all about her husbands financial affairs.
 Now Don Esteban was no longer young; age had soured him with sus- aia 1x-ia he as the victim of a mercenary marriage he turned bitterly against his wife. Her curiosity he sullenly resented. and he unblushingly denied his possession of any considerable wealth. In fact, he tried with malicious ingenuity to make her believe him poor man. But Isabel was not of the sort to be readily deceived. Finding her arts and CO., uuetries of no avail she flew into a rage, and furious quarrel ensued- the first of many. For the lady could not rest without knowing all there was to know about the treasure.
 She searched the quinta, of course, whenever she had q chance, but she discovered nothing-with the result
 
 whole thought. She pried into the ob- scurest corners, she questioned the slaves. she lay awake at night listening to Esteban's breathing. in the hope of surprising his secret from his dreams. At length a time came when they lived in frank enmity; when Isabel never spoke to Esteban except in reproach or 1pta -a1 lips only to taunt his wife with the fact that she had been thwarted de- spite her cunning.
 It was only natural under such con ditions that Donna Isabel should learn to dislike her tepchildren-Esteban had told her frankly that they would inherit whatever fortune he possessed. As may be imagined. she found ways to vent her spite upon the twins. She widened her hatred so as to include old Sebastian and his daughter, and even went so far as to persecute Evange- lina's sweetheart, a slave named Asen- sio.
 It had not taken Donna Isabel long to guess the reason for Sebastian's many privileges. and one of her first efforts had been to win the old mans confidence. It was in vain, however that she flattered and cajoled or stormed and threatened; Sebastian withstood her a., a towering ceiba with stands the summer heat and the win ter hurricane.
 His firmness made her vindictive,
 rINo lot estrange him from his master.
 Donna Isabel was crafty. She began to complain about Evanse'ina. but il was only after many months that she ventured to suggest to her husband that he sell the girl. Esteban. of course. refused point-blank; he was too fond of sebastian's daughter. he de clared to think Of such thing.
 'sSo. that is it" sneered Donna Isa- .l... II. |