The Kadoka press and Kadoka reporter. [volume] (Kadoka, S.D.) 1910-1923, 1918-05-10
God was jealous and took here to Para

at the beauty round about him. "See
! The Yumuri :" Don Esteban flung
long arm outward. do you think ther
is a sight like that in heaven? Para
disc indeed / gave her everything
She gained nothing by dying"
with grave thoughtfulness whicl
| proved him superior to the Ordinar.
slave, Sebastian replied:
True, She had all that any WON
ans heart could desire, but in return
for your goodness she gave you chill
dren. You have lost her, but you have
gained an heir, and n beautiful cir
baby who will grow to be another
Donna Rosa. ! grieved as you grieve
once upon time, for ing woman died
in childbirth, too. You remember? But
my daughter lives, and she has brought
sunshine into my old age. That Is the
purpose of children" He paused and
shifted his weight uncertainty, digging
his stiff black toes into the dirt. After
time he said, slowly: "Excellency
Now, about the-well--?"
Yes. What about it?"
Did the Donna Rosa confide her
share OF the secret to anyone? Those
priests and those doctors, you know"
"She died without speaking"
"Then it rests between you and me?'
1T does, unless you have babbled."
Master" Sebastian drew himself
up and there was real dignity in his
black face.
understand my whole fortune is
therc-everything even to the deeds of
patent for the plantations, If | thought
there was danger of you betraying me
| would have your tongue pulled out
and your eyes torn from their sockets "
The black man spoke with n sim
plicity that carried conviction: "Tlmes
are unsettled Don Esteban, and death
comes without warning. You are
known to be the richest man in this
province and these government officials
are robbers. SUPPOSE should be left
alone? What then?'
The planter considered for mo-
ment. well when my children are old
enough to hold their tongues they will
have to be told. If I'm gone, you shall
be the one to tell them. Now leave me
this is no time TO speak of such things"
Sebastian went as noselessly as he
had come On his way back TO his quar-
ters he took the path to the well-the
place where most Of his time was ordi-
nnrily spent. Sebastian had dug this
well, and with his own hands he had
beautified its surroundings until they
were the loveliest on the Varona
grounds. 1t was Sebastian's task to
keep this place green, and thither he
took his way, from force Of habit.
Through the twilight came Pancho
Cueto, the manager, youngish man,
with narrow face and bold, close-set
eyes. Spying Sebastian, he began:
$50 Don Esteban has an heir at
last?"
The slave rubbed his eyes with the
heel of his huge yellow palm and an
swered, respectfully:
Yes, Don Pancho. Two little angels,
- -
drew together in a painful frown.
Donna Rosa was a saint. No doubt
there is great rejoicing in heaven at
her coming. Eth? What do you think 2"
"Um-m! Possibly. Don Esteban will
miss her for time and then, / dare
say, he will remarry." At the negro's
exclamation Cueto said: so! And
why not? Everybody knows how rich
he is. From Oriente to Pinar del Rio
the women have heard about his treas
ure."
What treasurer" asked Sebastian,
after an instant's pause
Cueto's dark eyes cleaned resent
fully at this show of ignorance, but he
laughed.
"Ho! There's a careful fellow for
you! No wonder he trusts you. But
do you think | have neither eyes nor
ears? My good Sebastian, you know
all about that treasure; In fact, you
know far more about many things than
Don Esteban would care to have you
tell. Come now, don't your"
Sebastian's face was like a mask
carved from ebony. "Of what doe. this
treasure consist?" he inquired. 'T have
never heard about IT,"
"Of gold, OF jewels, OF silver bars
and precious ornaments" Cueto's head
was thrust forward, his nostrils were
dilated, his teeth cleaned. "Oh, II is
somewhere about, as you very well
know! Bah! Don't deny 1t. I'm no
fool. What becomes OF the money
from the slave girls, Ell? And the
sugar crops, too? Does II go to buy
arms and ammunition for the rebels ?
No. Don Esteban hides II, and you
help him. Come" he cried, disregard
ing Sebastian's murmurs of protest
did you ever think how fabulous that
fortune must be by this time? Did you
ever think that one little gem, one
bag of gold, would buy your freedom p
Don Esteban has promised 10 buy
my freedom and the freedom of nv
girl"
"SoF The manager was plainly
surprised. II didn't know that" After
II moment he began to laugh. "And
yet you pretend to know nothing about
that treasure? Ha! You're good
boy. Sebastian, and so am. admire
you. We're both loyal to our master
ehl But now about Evangelina.'