Judsonia weekly advance., 1918-06-12

noontime and dressed himself. He was still drunk, and the mad rage of the early morning still possessed him i; | therefore, when he mounted his horse he pretended not to see the figure | chained to the window grating. Sebas- | tian's affection for his master was dog | like and he had taken his punishment as a dog takes his, more in surprise than in anger, but at this proof of cal lous indifference a fire kindled in the | old fellows breast hotter by far than the fever from his tly-blown sores. He was thirsty, too, but that was the least of his sufferings.
 Some time during the afternoon the negro heard himself addressed through the window against the bars of which he leaned The speaker was Donna Isabel.
 Do you suffer, Sebastian?" she be- gan in a tone of gentleness and pity.
 "Yes, mistress" The speakers tongue was thick and swollen.
 Gan l help you?' The negro raised his head he shook his body to rid himself of the insects which were devouring him.
 "Give me drink of water" he said, hoarsely
 Surely, n great gourdful, all cool l and dripping from the well. But first want you to tell me something"
 "A drink, for the love of heaven" |" panted the old man, and Donna Isabel saw how cracked and dry were his thick lips, how near the torture had come to prostrating him.
 "Ill do more." she promised, and her voice was like honey. 'I'll tell Rancho Cueto to unlock you, even if I risk Es- teban's anger by so doing. Will you be my friend? Will you tell me some thing?"
 What can I tell you?'
 "Oh, you know very well I've asked it often enough, but you have lied, just as my husband has lied to me- He is miser; he has no heart; he cares for nobody, as you can see. You must hate him now, even as hate him. Tell me-is there really d treasure, or-?' The woman gasped; she ehoked; she could scarcely force the question for fear of disappointment. Tell me there is, Sebastian. I've heard so many lies that l begin to doubt"
 The old man nodded. "Oh, yes, there is q treasare' said he.
 "Oh You have seen it?" Isabel was trembling as if with an ague. What is it like? How much is there? Good Sebastian, I'll give you water; I'll have you set free if you tell me"
 "HoW much? I don't know But there is much-pieces of Spanish gold, silver coins in casks and in little boxes the boxes are bound with iron and have hasps and staples; bars of precious metal and little paper pack ages of gems. all tied up and hidden ill leather bags"
 Yes! Go on.'
 "There are ornaments, too. God knows they must have come from heaven, they are so beautifu; and pearls from the Caribbean as large as plums."
 Are you speaking the truth?"
 Did I not make the hiding-place all alone? Sonora, everything is there just as l tell you-and more. The grants of title from the crown for this quinta and the sugar plantations, they are there, too. Don Esteban used te fear the government officials, so he hid his papers securely. Without them the lands belong to no one. You under stand?"
 "Of course Yes. yes! But the jew els Where are they hidden?"
 You would never guess p Sebas- tian's voice gathered strength. Ten thousand men in ten thousand years would never find the place, and nobody knows the secret but Don Esteban and me-
 "I believe you. l knew all the time it was here. Well? Where is it?'
 Sebastian hesitated and said. pte- ously, q am dying"
 Isabel could scarcely contain herself. 'I'll give you water, but first tell me where-where God in heavenl Can't you see that I, too, am perlshing?'
 "I must have a drink"
 "rell me first"
 Sebastian lifted his heed and, meet