Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1918-04-25

Donna Rosa. 1 grieved as you grieve,
once upon a time, for my m 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
a time he said, slowly: "Excellency!
Now, about the-well-"
Eyes. 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?"
at does, unless you have babbled."
"Nfaster!" Sebastian drew himself
up and there was real dignity in his
black face.
understand, my whole fortune is
there-everything, even to the deeds Of
patent for the plantations. If I thought
there was danger of you betraying me
I would have your tongue pulled out
and your eyes torn from their sockets"
The black man spoke with a sim
pliclty that carried conviction: 'Times
are unsettled, Don Esteban, and death
comes without warning. You are
province and these government officials
are robbers. SUPPOSE should be left
alone? What then?"
The planter considered for a 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 noiselessly as he
had come. On his way back to his quar-
tiers he took the path to the well-the
place where most of his time was ordi-
narily spent. Sebastian had dug this
we'll, and with his own hands he had
beautified its surroundings until they
were the loveliest On the Varona
grounds. 1t was Sebastian's task tc
keep this place green, and thither he
took his way, from force Of habit.
Through the twilight anne Pancht
Cueto, the manager, a youngish man
| with a narrow face and bold, close-se'
eyes. Spying Sebastian, he began:
$50 Don Esteban has an heir Al
] last?"
] The slave rubbed his eyes with the
! heel of his huge yellow palm and an
! swered, respectfully:
eyes, Don Pancho. Two little angels
:. a boy and a girl" His gray brow'
drew together in a painful frown
q Donna Rosa was a saint. No doub
there is great rejoicing in heaven a
her coming. Eth? What do you think? 2
g "Um-m! Possibly. Don Esteban viii
n miss her for a time and then, I dar'
n say, he will remarry." At the negro
g exclamation Cueto said: $50! AM
why not? Everybody knows how ric1
g he is. From Oriente to Pinar del Ri
the women have heard about his treas
e ure."
e "What treasurer" asked Sebastian
e after an %instant's pause.
Cueto's dark Eyes cleaned resent
fully at this show of ignorance, but h
i laughed.
h "Ho! There's a careful fellow fo
lo you! No wonder he trusts you. Bu
% do you think I have neither eyes no
ears? My good Sebastian, you kno'
all about that treasure; in fact, 20
3 know far more about many things tina
IS Don Esteban would care to have 70
q tell. Come now, don't you?"
Sebastian's face was like a mas
e. carved from ebony. "Of what does TIL
50 treasure consist?" he inquired. II hay
never heard about it,"
"Of gold, Of jewels, of silver bal
and precious ornaments" Cueto's hea
IL was thrust forward, his nostrils wei
y dilated, his teeth cleaned. ooh, it
somewhere about, as you very we
y know! Bah! Don't deny it. I'm n
fool. What becomes Of the none
~ from the slave girls, eh? And til
y sugar crops, too? Does it go to bu
l. arms and ammunition for the rebels
No. Don Esteban hides it, and 70
sd help him. Come" he cried, disregard
ing Sebastian's murlnurs of protes
10 "did you ever think how fabulous thu
fortune must be by this time? Did 70
~ ever think that one little gem, on
u bag Of gold, would buy your freedom!
J. don Esteban has promised to bu
my freedom and the freedom of m
d' girl"
a. 1907" The manager was plainl
surprised. II didn't know that" Afte
q moment he began to laugh. Gan
yet you pretend to know nothing abou
- that treasure? Ha! You're a goo
- boy, Sebastian, and so I am. 1 admir-
d you. We're both loyal to our maste
10 Ell? But now about Evangelina,
IL Cueto's face took on a craftier EXPIRE!
s. sion. "She is a likely girl, and whe
she grows up she will be worth NOR
n than you, her father. Don't forget the
y Don Esteban is before all else Il bus
ness man. Be careful that some on
n. doesn't make him so good IN offer &c
n your girl that he will forget his prom
IL, ise and-sell her."
70 Sebastian uttered n hOarse, amin,
ri rrv and tho whitac NJ hIa avaa showa