Jerome County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1919-1920, 1919-02-20

was not until well along toward eve
ming that Rosa and O'Reilly felt any
| desire to take stock of the contents of
that jewel box, but finally, with heads
| together and with backs to the door of
the bohio, they made a furtive ex-
animation. They found emeralds and
sapphires the value of which they did
not attempt to estimate; and, besides
| these. Il miscellaneous assortment of
semiprecious stones.
| O'Reilly realized vaguely that he
held in his lap fortune greater than
his widest dreams had ever COM
passed. These were the jewels of a
rajah 1t seemed incredible that this
ragged girl beside him was regal
heiress, the possessor of treasure
such as kings might envy. After time
he realized that the mere possession of
these gems constituted new and over
whellning menace.
Morning found all hands more nearly
rational and feeling the first cravings
of a healthy hunger. Even Asensio con-
fessed to a quite miraculous improve
| ment. While EVangelina prcp1r.i
story to explain the origin of that mys-
terious gold piece, and later Johnnie
warned Jacket for a second time to
keep his tongue between his teeth.
Jacket nodded his complete compre-
hension. "Surel All Spaniards are
robbers and they'd kill us for a peso.
Yes, and the pacificos are no better. l
tell you we need to get out of this
place."
81 intend to arrange it at once, but
the sight of those Jewels has frightened
me. If we are searched-if we are
even suspected: I'm wondering if Rosa
can endure the hardships Wen encoun-
ter when, or If, we get away"
, "Exactly what I was thinking. I've
been considering another plan. l told
{ you about my friend at the market
: Well. he is miserable Spaniard, but
he has son in the manigua."
"One of us?" Johnnie was surprised.
f eyes. The old fellow owns volan-
} dra in which he brings charcoal from
the eastward twice month. He might
| take us out of here-on his schooner"
'How well does he like your"
"Oh, we are like two thieves"
After a period of thought O'Reilly
said, Take me to him, and remember
I'm your brother Juan"
The Matanzas market did not pre-
sent scene of great activity when the
two friends skunk into 1t. Like most
Spanish markets, the building was far
from clean and housed odors unpleas-
ant even to starving people. In the
smelliest section, at one of the fish
stalls, Jacket accosted a villainOus old
brigand in a rough Gallego cap, baggy
Al blouse and trousers, and straw san.
II dals.
N "Good day, my captain" he cried
\ cheerily.
u The Spaniard raised his head
scowled ferociously, then waved a long
thin-bladed knife in menacing fashion.
"Aha So there you are, robberl Be
Off now before I slit your greedy little
NJ belly! Didn't promise to give you t.
the soldiers If you came back to bother
me?"
Jacket was unabashed by this hostjl,
\ reception. He grnned broadly and Will
an impudent eye he scanned the empt,
premises. "Where is my little fish?
= he demanded. "As live, l believe yol
: have sold it, What a miserl For tn
sake of another centavo you would Sc
me starve? There's a heart for you
Come, give me my fish Or must Ii
down and die before your very eyes t
: prove my hunger?'
"What a nuisance !" grumbled tn
,e marketman. He reached into a baske
and flung a mackerel upon the table
"Therei l saved it for you, and sen
ie the good women Of Matanzas ava
n empty-handed. But it is the very las
to Annoy me again and I shall open yo
b. with my knife and put salt on You"
lg "Ahl You are my good captain
Jacket cried in triumph, possessin
a himself of the prize. "Where would
ed have been but for your" Turning [
OF O'Rellly, who had looked on from di'
OF lance. he said. captain NORM, this
ed that brother Juan of whom | have tol
OF you"
CT Norm smiled ut Johnnie and extend
IN ed his dirty palm. "The little fello'
&c can speak the truth when he wishes,
- S''iiiS. L DtStil W upuDl llistl ne ffIttu
I'm brother. What boy, ehy'
'p' "You have a son, with the insured
(. tosY
d; ''Yes." The fisherman cast furtiv
ds glance over his shoulder.
ed "Why don't you go and fight by hi
as side?" Jacket demanded
'g, God Forbid" NORM flung up hi
OF hands. "Tm loyal subject"
ne swell, we are going back to fight
ey We are going to escape and join Gomez
OF once more~ Jacket made the an
or nouncement calmly.
ny Ssh What talk" NORM was in a
Oh nervous panic lest they be overheard.
ne "As if anybody could escape from Ma
tanzasl What made you come here If
he you are so eager to fightY'
ITO I'll tell YOU" O'Reilly assumed dI.