Evening star., 1918-03-31

his voice trembled, his brow grew damp
with with unpleasant memories: mo he seemed
for all. But he succeeded only in con-
yulsing his hearers. Women giggled,
men wiped tears from their eyes and de-
clared he was consummate actor and
the rarest, the most fantastic humorist
they had ever listened to. They swore
that Cuba had lost, in him, q peerless
champion. When he had finished they
cheered him loudly and the orchestra
broke into rousing military march.
Leslie turned to voice his irritation
and surprise to Norine. but she had
slipped away, so he glared at O'Reilly,
wondering how the latter had SO artfu1ly
managed to mistranslate his remarks
When Rosa and O'Reilly returned to
Esteban's cabin they found Norine ahead
of them. She was kneeling beside the
sick mans hammock, and through the
doorway came the low, intimate mur-
mur of their voices. Rosa drew her hus-
band away. whispering, happily:
He will get well. God and that won
derful girl won't let him die
THE OWL AND THE PUSSY-cAT
The journey to the coast was made
by easy stages and Esteban stood IL
fairly well. The excitement wore upon
him, be be sure. and the jolting Of his
litter was trying, but Norine was al
ways at his side where he could see
her. and Rosa Joined in the tender care
of him. Guides, horses and a tent for
the sick man had been supplied, and
over these O'Reilly exercised a jealous
watchfulness, ably seconded by Branch.
For once, at least, the latter lent him
self to useful ends and shirked no
duties. His wounded arm recovered
miraculously and he exercised it freely:
he skirmished industriously for food
and he enlivened the journey by q rare
display Of good spirits.
Jacket, of course, went along. Upon
the announcement of O'Reilly's intend
ed departure for the States he had
promptly abandoned Cuba to her fate.
himself loyal American citizen. He
made 1t plain once more. and for the
last time. that where O'Reilly went
there went he, for they were one and
lndlvisible. It dismayed him not at all
to turn his feet to new pathways. his
face toward new adventures.
Relying upon the best information
obtainable at Cubttas. O'Rei1ly had
counted upon securing a sailboat from
a certain fisherman whose sympathies
were known to be loyal, but in this
he was disappointed. The party ar
rived at its destination, a tiny clearing
on an unfrequented part OF the north
shore. only to find it deserted and al
empty. the boats were all gone-all
but one old hulk. too rotten to war
rant moving. which lay high up on the
sand. its planks worm-eaten. Its seams
wide spread by the sun.
Having established Esteban in the
hut. o'Reilly took counsel with his
cubans. but gained little satisfaction
from them. They knew of no other
fisherman in this vicinity; the nearest
towns were in Spanish hands; they ad-
vised return to Cubitas at once. This
O'Reilly would not listen to. Sending
them in one direction he took Leslie
and Jacket and rode away in the other. j.
The trio followed the beach for several
miles until they came to a vast man.
grove swamp which turned them in
land: This they skirted until the jun
gle became impossible and they were
n danger Of losing themselves; they
at dusk. having encountered
no human being and having discovered
neither roads nor houses
The other expedition reported slight
y better successes; it had located a
small plantation some distance to the
sast, the owner of which had warned
hem against exploring farther, inas-
much as strong Spanish patrol, on
he lookout for that American des-
,atch bearer from Nassau. was oneraf-
ng in his neighborhood. 1t was these ,
'ery troops. he announced. who had !
rfven the fisherman from his home: {
le was sure there were no boats any !
where within reach. :
OReilly was in quandary He
;ravely doubted Esteban's ability to
tand the rough return journey, and
when he spoke to Norfne of turning ,
'ack she was panic-stricken at the :
uggestion. +
mn No mo no" ,; she cried. ansiously. I'VE e
very day we lose by waiting lessons c
is chances! His heart is set on going "