The state herald., 1919-01-31

animation. They found emeralds and
sapphires the value Of which they did
not attempt to estimate: and. besides
these, q miscellaneous assortment Of
ssmiprecious stones.
O'Reilly realized vaguely that he
held In his lap a fortune greater than
his widest dreams had ever com
passed. These were the Jewels Of q
rajah. It seemed incredible that this
ragged girl beside him was q regal
heiress. the possessor Of a treasure
such as kings might envy. After q time
he realized that the mere possession of
these gems consdtuted a new and over
whelming menace.
Morning found all hands more nearly
rational and feeling the first cravings
Of healthy hunger. Even Asensio con-
fessed to a quite miraculous improve
ment. While Nvangelina prepared
breakfast the lovers agreed upon a
story to explain the origin Of that mys-
terious gold piece. and later Johnnie
warned Jacket for q second time to
keep his tongue between his teeth.
Jacket nodded his complete compre-
hension. "Surei All Spaniards are
robbers and they'd kill us for q peso.
Yes, and the pacincos are no better. I
tell you we need to get out Of this
place"
Il intend to arrange It at once. but
the sight Of those Jewels has frightened
me. II we are searched-if we are
even suspected: I'm wondering II Rosa
can endure the hardships wen encoun-
ter when, or Il. we get away"
Exactly what I was thinking. I've
been considering another plan. told
you about my friend at the market.
Well. he Il . miserable Spaniard, but
he has Z son In the manigua."
sNOne Of usf' Johnnie was surprised.
Yes. The old fellow owns q volan.
dra In which he brings charcoal from
the eastward twice month. He might
take rs out Of heron his schooner"
How well does he like your
sOh. we are like two thieves"
After period Of thought O'Reilly
said. take me to him. and remember
I'm your brother Juan"
The Matanxas market did not pre-
ssnt q scene Of great activity when the
two friends skunk into Il Like most
Spanish markets, the building was far
from clean and housed odor6 unpieaS.
ant even to stervtng peooAs. b ~
smeinest section. at one OF the nsh
stalls. Jacket accosted . vtllainous old
brigand In a rough Gallego cap, baggy
blouse and trousers. and straw San
dals.
Good day. my captain" he cried,
cheerily.
The Spaniard raised his head,
scowled ferociously. then waved long,
thin-blnded knife In menacing fashion.
"Ahal So there you are, robber Be
OF now before slit your greedy little
belly! Didn't promise to give you to
the soldiers II you came back to bother
mer', - -, -. .,.---
Jacket was unabashed by this hostile
reception. He grinned broadly and with
IN impudent eye he scanned the empty
premises. where is my little fishr'
he demanded. .As live. I believe you
have sold It'll What miser! For tho
sake Of another centavo you would SEQ
me starvef There's heart for you
Come, give me my fishi Or must I lie
down and die before your very eyes to
prove my hungerf'
"What a nuisance" grumbled the
marketman. He reached into basket
and nung mackerel upon the table.
'Therei I saved II for you, and sent
the good women Of Matanxas away
empty.handed. But II IL the very last.
Annoy me again and I shall open you
with my knife and put salt on you.-
"Ah! You are my good captain I"
Jacket cried in triumph. possessing
himself Of tho prise. "where would
have been but for your" Turning to
o'Rcilly. who had looked on from dis
tnnce. no said. Captain Norm, this 10
that brother Juan Of whom have told
you"
Norm smiled at Johnnie and extend.
ed his dirty palm. ''The little fellow
can speak the truth when he wishes, II
seems. I began to doubt that he had
brother. What q boy. ehf"
"You have q son with the insurrec-
tosr'
Yes" The fisherman cast q furtiye
glance over his shoulder.
"why don't you 90 and iight BY his
sider Jncket demanded.
God forbidi" Norm flung up his
hands. I'm loyal subject"
well. We are going back 70 fight.
We ars going to escape and Join Comes
once morei" Jacket madc tho an.
nounccmcnt calmly.
"'S-shi What tnikr NORM was In a
nervous panic lest they be overheard.
As II anybody could escape from Ma.
tanxasl What made you come ktwe II
you arc no eager TO nghtf"
"r1l tell you." O'Reilly assumed al.
rection Of tho conversation. '-rhere
are three Of M brothers. We two and
6steban, pretty little fellow. He was
n -