Judsonia weekly advance., 1918-10-09


 O'Reilly's intended departure for the States he had promptly abandoned Cuba to her fate. He foreswore her utterly and declared himself a loyal American citizen.
 Relying upon the best information obtainable at Cubitas, O'Reilly had counted upon securing a sailboat from certain fisherman whose sympathies were known to be loyal, but in this he was disappointed. The party arrived at it's destination, tiny clearing on an unfrequented part of the north shore, only to find it deserted and al- ready grown to weeds. The house was empty, the boats were gone-all but one old hulk, too rotten to warrant moving, which lay high up on the sand, its blanks worm-eaten, its seams wide spread by the sun.
 O'Reilly was in quandary. He gravely doubted ESteban's ability to stand the rough return journey, and when he spoke to Norine of turning back she was panic-stricken at the sug- gestion.
 "No, no !" she cried, anxiously. "We must get him away. His heart Is set on going through and 1t would-kill him to go back"
 "Then I guess we'll have to go through" he smiled.
 For the first time in their acquaint- ance Norjne lost control of herself.
 "Promise that you won't go back" she implored him.
 every well, If you'll consent to risk beach,"
 "Ill risk anything-a raft, even. Is there an even chance of our getting across"
 "Perhaps. It all depends upon the weather"
 When morning came O'Reilly made a closer examination of the abandoned but he determined to make use of 1t, and the crazy craft was launched. It was necessary to handle her glngerly, and when she took the water she leak ed abominably. But during the night she swelled and in the morning 1t was possible to bail her out.
 From the point of leaving 1t was per- haps five miles across the sound to the fringe of keys which in this neighbor- hood bOrdered the old Bahama chan nel with its unplumbed depths of blue water. Here 1t was calm, so the run was soon made.
 When the eoastline of Cuba had be- come blur astern Rosa crept back and seated herself beside her husband. 'How much I love you" she whispered. 'But never can tell you, for we are never alone. Was there ever such a courtship, such marriage, and such a wedding journey as ours?"
 It proved to be long, long night, for the boat, though roomy, was uncom- fortable. Daylight brought an in- creased breeze which heeled the boat further. Fortunately the haze was not thick enough to wholly obscure the sun and so O'Reilly was enabled to hold his course. But he did not like the look of things. In time there came a spite. full drizzle which completely hid the sun and left ho indication of the course except the direction whence drove the rain.
 No one spoke now. Even Esteban lay silent, shivering miserably upon his sodden bed. Rosa finally strengthened her aching back and smiled at her hus- band
 Are we going down?" she asked.
 "Oh no! This is merely squall." he told her, with an assumption of conf dence he was far from feeling.
 Deliverance came suddenly, and from the least-expected quarter. Out of the mist to starboard there materialized a shape, schooner driving ahead of the wind. The refugees deserted her simul- taneously and stood ankle deep in the wash, waving their hats and their cala- bashes, and shouting crazily until she saw them and fetched up. There was a babble of voices. shout. ed questions, hysterIcal answers. Rosa was weeping softly; Norine had lifted Esteban and now clutched him tight while her tears fell upon his face.
 The schooner was a sponger bound for Nassau; its blackbird crew spoke English and they willingly helped the strangers overside, laughing and shout ing in a childlike display of excitement Soon there was hot food and coffee, | dry beds and blankets for those who needed them.
 Johnnie tucked his bride snugly into one of the hard berths, then stopped and kissed her. Rosa's teeth were chattering, but she smiled happily. Gods hand directed us," she said. "One only needs to pray long enough | and strong enough and he will hear." It was month later. Quaint old Mas