The Mena weekly star., 1919-02-06

the slave, Sebastian. When Esteban had finished. Norine drew deep breath.
 "Oh That lays over any story ever heard. To think that the deeds and the jewels and everything are in the we'll at this minute Suppose some body finds itT Norine was aghast at the thought.
 Not much chance of that. The treasure has lain there for genera ton, and the story itself is almost for gotten" Esteban turned triumphantly to O'Reilly, saying. "Now, then, do you think I'm so crazy7"
 O'Reilly didn't have it In his heart to say exactly what he really thought What he more than half suspected was that some favored fancy had formed lodgment in Esteban's brain.
 ''It's an interesting theory" he ad- mitted. Anyhow, there Is no danger of the treasure being uncovered very soon. Cueto had good look and mado himself ridiculous. You'll have ample chance to do likewise when the war is over"
 You must help me find It." said Esteban. "We shall all share the for tune equally, you two, Rosa and l."
 "Wef Why should we share in it?" Norine asked.
 q owe it to you. Didn't O'Reilly rescue me from dungeon? Haven't you nursed me back to health7 Don't owe my life to you both?"
 "Nonsensei I, for one, sha'n't take dollar of It."
 "Oh, but you must. I insist. -Nurs- ing is poorly paid profession. Wouldn't you like to be richf"
 Profession Poorly paidT Norine sputtered, angrily. "As if I'd take payl'
 As If l would accept a great service and forget it, like some miserable beg gar" Esteban replied stiffiy.
 O'Relly laughed out Don't let's quarrel over the spoil until we get it," said he. That's the way with all treasure-hunters They invariably fall out and go to fighting. To avoid blood. shed, I'll agree to sell my interest cheap, for cash. My share of the fa- nous Varona fortune going for a dol larr'
 sTherel He doesn't believe word of it." Esteban said.
 Norine gave an impatient shrug Some people wouldn't believe they were alive unless they saw their breath on looking glass. Goodness How hate a sneering skeptic, a wet blanket
 O'Reilly rose with one arm shielding his face. Tn the interest of friend ship. I withdraw. A curse on these buried treasures, anyhow. We shall yet come to blows.r
 As he walked away he heard Noripe say: Don't pay any attention to hl,n- We'll go and dig it up ourselves, amt we won't wait until the war is over."
 An hour later Esteban and his n1l s., still had their heads together. They were still talking of golden ingots and pearls from the Caribbean the size of plums when they looked up to see Ofieilly running toward them. He was yisibly excited; he waved and shouted at them. Ee was panting when he ar- rived.
 News From Matanzas P he cried. Gomez man has arrived"
 Esteban struggled to rise, but No rine restrained him. Rosa? What does he say? Quick r
 Good newsi She left the Pan de Matanzas with the two negroes. She went inte the city before Cobo's raid"
 Esteban collapsed Imply. He closed his eyes, his face was very white. He crossed himself weakly.
 "The letter is definite. It seems they were starving. They obeyed Weyler's bando. They're in Matanzas now"
 DO you hear. EstebanT Norine shook her patient by the shoulder. "She's alive. Oh, can't you see that it always pays to believe the best3"
 "Alivel Safel'' Esteban whispered. His eyes. when he opened them, were swimming; he clutched Norine's hand tightly; his other hand he extended to O'ReiIly. "A reconcentradoi In Ma. tanzasI We'll, that's good. We have friends there-they'll not let her starve. This makes a new man of me. Seel I'm strong again. I'll go to her"
 You'll go2" quickly cried Miss Evans. You'll gol You're not strong enough. It would be suicide. You, with a price upon your head Every body knows you there. Matanzas is virtually a walled city. There's sick ness, too-yellow fever, typhus-"
 Exactly. And hunger also. I sup pose no one has taken Rosa in? Those concentration camps aren't nice places for girl"
 But waitl I have friends in Wash lngton. They're influential. They will cable the American consul to look after her. Anyhow, you mustn't think of re turning to Matanzas," Norine faltered {; her voice caught unexpectedly and she turned her face away.
 0'ReilIy nodded shortly. sYen're 8 sick man. he agreed. There's 10 need for both of US to go"
 Esteban looked up. 'sThen you"
 T leave at once. The Old Man has given me a commission to General Be tancourt, and I'll be on my way in an hour. The moon is young; I must cross the trocha before"
 That trochai'' Esteban was up on his elbow again. "Be careful there, O'Reilly. They keep a sharp lookout, z~a st,e. .-rardad xrf&h horhod xxyfro Re