Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1919-10-07
CHAPTER ~.
RetributIon.

Pancho Cueto, her administrator, was
robblng her, she had never mustered
courage to call him to q reckoning
Nevertheless, DE Castano's blunt accu-
satIon, coupled with her own urgent
needs, served to fix her resolution, and
on the day after the merchants visit
Z she sent for the overseer, who at the
time was living on one of the plan.
tations.
Cueto was plainly curious to learn
why he had been sent for, but since
he asked no questions, his employer
was forced to open the subject her
self. Through dry, white lips she be-
gan:
My dear Pancho, times are hard. The
plantations are failing, and So" Pan
cho Cueto's eyes were set close to his
nose. his face was long and thin and
harsh; he regarded the speaker with
such q sinister, unblinking stare that
she could scarcely finish: sand so
I--cah no longer afford to retain you
as administrator"
"Times viii improve" he said.
Impossible ! tell you I'm bank
rupt."
$50? Then the remedy is simple
sell a part OF your land"
Although this suggestion came natu-
rally enough, Donna Isabel turned cold,
and felt her smile stiffen into a girl
mace. She wondered If Cueto could be
feeling her out deliberately. "Sell the
Varona landsT she queried, after a
monicntary struggle with herself. "Es-
teban would rise from his grave. No.
1t was his wish that the plantations
go to his children intact"
"And his wish Is sacred to you, h?''
Cueto nodded his approval, although
his smile was disconcerting. IAN adj
miruble sentiment 1t does you honor
But speaking on this subject, am re-
minded of that dispute with Jose Oroz
over the boundary to La Joya. have
promised to show him the original
deed to La Joya and to furnish him
with the proofs about the boundary
line. That would be better than q
lawsuit, wouldn't it?"
Decidedly Butt will settle with
him myself"
Cueto lifted an admonitory hand, his
fnce allght with the faintest glimmer
of ironic mirth. 81 couldn't trust you
to the mercies of that rascal" he said
piously. "No. I shall go on as am,
even at sacrifice to myself. / love
Don Esteban's children as my very
own: and you, sonora"
Isabel knew that she must win a
complete victory at once or accept ir-
retrlevable defeat.
"Never!" she interrupted, with q
tone of finality. II can't accept your
sacrifice. i am not worthy. Kindly
arrange to turn over your books of &C.
count at once"
Then Pancho Cueto did an unex-
pected thing: he laughed shortly and
shook his head.
Donna Isabel was ready to faint and
her voice quavered as she went on:
understand me, we part the best of
Z friends despite all / have heard against
You. do not believe these stories
people tell, for you probably have en-
emics. Even If all they said were
true. should force myself to be leni-
ent because Of your affection for my
husband"
The man rose still smiling, "It Is ]
who have been lenient," said he.
"Eh? Speak plainly"
"Gladly. / have long suspected thut
Don Esteban hid.the deeds of his prop.
erty with the rest of his valuables, and
now that you admit"
Donna Isabel recoiled sharply. SAD
miti, Are you mad7 Deeds! What
are you talking ahout?" Her eyes met
his bravely enough, but she could feel
her lips trembling loosely.
Casting aside all pretense, the over
seer exclaimed: 'por ell amor de Dios
An end to thisi know why you sent
for me. You think / have been rob-
bing you. Well. to be honest, so
have. Why should toll as / do while
you and those twins live here in lux
ury and idleness. squandering money
to which you have no right?"
"Have l lost my reasonT gasped the
widow. mo right?"
"At least no better right than !.
Don't you understand? You have no
title to these plantationsl They are
mine for have paid the taxes out of
my own pockets now these many
years"
takes! What do you mean?"
81 paid them. The receipts are in
my name"
sHeavenl Such perfldyl And you
who knew him! 7"
"The deeds have been lost for SO
long that the property would have re-
verted to the crown had 1t not been
3 for me. You doubt that, eh? Well, APP
peal to the court and You viii find that
1t Is true. Now, then, let US be, frank
Inasmuch as we're both in much the
same fix, hadn't we better continue
-------