The Washington herald., 1919-12-01

close under La Cumbre-from tt the
ruins Of the Quinta de Esteban
were visibie--and thero they set.
tied down to live. They had hoped
to lose themselves among the other
prisoners. and in this they were
successful. for none Of their miser-
able neighbors were IN any condi-
tion to \ notice them. and there
was nothing suflioientiy conspicuous
about two tattered black and their
hunchbacksd dsughtef. to draw at
tention. from -the soldiers.
Asensio foragod seaiously. and at
| nrst he managed somehow to Sc
cure enough food for his little fam
ily. He developed . real talent for
discovering vegetauies and fruits.
He stole. he begged. and he found
FOOD where there was none. One
day the soldiers seized him and put
him to work on the. Notifications
along with q gang OF other men
who appeared strong enough to
stand hard labor. Asensio was not
paid for this. but he was allowed
+, one meal d day, and he succeeded
in bringing home each night a
share OF his allotment.
1t is surprising how little nourish.
ment will sustain life. Rosa and
her two friends had long felt the
pinch OF hunger. but now they
plumbed new depths of privation.
for there were days when Asensio
and his fellow-conscripts received
nothing at all. After q time Evan
gelina began making baskets and
weaving palm-leaf hats. which she
sold At six cents each. She taugh,
ROSA the craft. and they worked
from dawn until DARK. striving with
nimble, tireiess fingers to supple.
ment Assnsio's rations ana post.
pone starvation. But Il was hope.
less task. Other ninibie fingers
worked as tlrelessly a. theirs. and
the demand for hats was limited.
Their hut overlooked the road tc
San Severino. that via dolorosa or
which condemned prisoners were
marched out to execution. and In
time the women learned 10 rscos.
nize the peculiar blaring notes OF
q certain cornet. which signifiec
that Cuban cock was about &C
crow" when In the damp OF dewy
morning they heard that bugle they
ceased their weaving long enough
to cross themselves and whisper q
prayer for the souls Of those who
were on their way to die. But thii
J was the only respite they allowed
themselves.
Rosa neditated much upon the
contrast between her present ant
her former condition. Matanxai
was the city OF her birth. and TINT
was when she had trod its streets
in arrogance and, pride. when she
had possessed friends by the score
among its residents. But OF al
these there WAS not one to whom
she dared appeal in this, her houi
Of need. These were harsh times
Spanish hatred of the revolutionist,
was bitter. and Of the Cuban sym,
pathizers none were left. More
over. Esteban's announcement as &
traitor had estranged all who re
mained loyal to the crown. and 81
far as Rosa herself was concerned
che knew that it would rot mattel
to them that she had cleaved TO hin
merely from sisterly- devotion: b!
that act she had made herself {
common enemy and they woulC
scarcely sympathize with her plight
The girl had learned only too wei
what spirit was abroad. But ever
had she felt assured of meeting
sympathy. her pride was pure Cas-
tilian. and IL would never down
She. a Varona. whose name was on,
to conjure with, whose lineage wa!
of the highest! She to beg? TIL,
thing was quite impossible. On,
crumb. so taken, would have chokeC
her, Rosa preferred to suffel
proudly and await the hour whel
hunger or disease would at las
blot out her memories of happ,
days and end this nightmare misery