The Washington herald., 1919-10-28
RErRIBCT1OS.

RErRIBCTIoS.
Although for long time Dona Isa-
bel had been sure in her own mind
that Pancho Cueto. her administra-
dor. was robbing her. she had never
mustered courage to call him to
reckoning And there was a reason
for her cowardice. Nevertheless, LIZ
Castano's blunt accusation. coupled
with her own urgent needs. served to
fix her resolution. and on the day
after the merchants visit she sent
for the overseer. who at the time was
living on one Of the plantations.
Once the message was on its way.
Isabel fell into q condition bordering
upon panic. and was half minded to
countermand her order She spent an
evening of suspense. and a misera bic
night. This last. however. was moth
ing unusual with her. she was ac-
customed to unpleasant dreams. and
she was not surprised when old "a
miliar shapes came to harass her
Nor. in view of her somnambulistic
Vagaries. was she greatly concerned
to find. when she woke in the morning
that her slippers were stained and
that her skirt was bedragsled with
dew and hlled with burs.
Scarcely a month passed that she
did not walk in her sleep.
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. Several times he led up to it
unsuccessfully: then she took the
plunge. Through dry. white lips she
began:
My dear Psncho times are hard
The Plantations are failing. and
So" Pancho Cueto's eyes were set
close to his nose, his face was long
and thin and harsh. he regarded the
speaker with such a sinister. unblink-
ing stare that she could scarcely nm
ish: and SO lean no longer af-
ford to retain you as administrator.
Times will improve" he said.
Impossible. This war threatens to
bring utter ruin; and now that Este
ban and Rosa are home they spens
money like water. / groan with pow
erty."
Yes. they are extravagant. It Is
the more reason for me to remain in
your service"
No. no. tell you I'm bankrupt"
SO? Then the remedy IS simple
sell part of your land"
Although this suggestion came nat
urally enough. Dona Isabel turned
cold and felt her smile stiffen into a
grimace. She wondered if Cueto could
be feeling her out deliberately. Sell
the Varona lands?'' she Queried after
a momentary struggle with herself.
"Esteban would rise from his grave
No. 1t was his wish that the planta-
tions 60 to his children intact
And his wish Is sacred to you. eh?''
Cueto nodded his approval, although
his smile was disconcerting. An ad-
mirable sentiment! 1t does you honor.
But speaking on this subject. am
reminded of that dispute with Jose
Oroz over the boundary to La Joya.
He is a rascal. that Oroz: he would
steal the sap out of your standing
cane If he could. I 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 a lawyer,
wouldn't it?'
Decidedly, Butt will settle with
him myself
Cueto lifted an admonitory hand, his
face alight with the faintest glimnner
of ironic mirth. II couldn't trust you
to the meries of that rascal he said,
piously. mo, I shall go on as I am,
even at sacrifice to myself 1 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
defeat
Never" she interrupted, with a
tone of finality. Il can't accept your
sacrifice. I am not worthy Kindly
arrange to turn over your books of
account at once. I shall make you a.
handsome a present as my circum-
stances will permit in recognition or
your long and faithful service"
Then Pancho Cueto did an unex-
pected thing: he laughed shortly and
shook his head.
Dona Isabel was ready to faint and
her voice ouavered as she went on:
Understand me. We part the best of
friends despite all / have hearo
against you. I do not believe these
stories people tell. for you probably
have enemies. Even IL all they saw
were true I should force myself to %,
lenient because of your affection for
my husband"
The man rose. still smiling. 1T ia
who have been lenient." said he.
"Eh? Speak plainly"
Gladly. have long suspected thar
Don Esteban hid the deeds of his
property with the rest of his valu-
ables. and now that you admit
Dona Isabel recoiled sharply. "Ad-
nit! Are you mad? Deeds, What are
you talking aboutr' 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
dos! An end to this! know why
you sent for me. You think I hay,
been robbing you Well. to be hon.
est. I have. Why should toll as I
do while you and thSse twins live
here In luxury and idleness, souan-
dering money to which you have no
right?'
Have lost my reason?" raspe
the widow. ''ESo right?'
AT least no. better right than I.
Don't you understand? You have n,