The Washington herald., 1919-10-22

about that treasure? Ha! You're q
good boy. Sebastian, and so am. 1
admire you. We're both loyal to our
master. Ell? But now about Evange-
lima" Cueto's face took on q craftier
expression. she 10 a likely girl, and
when she grows up she will be worth
more than you, her father. Don't for
get that Don Esteban is before all else
a business man. Be careful that some
one doesn't make him so good an Of
fer for your girl that he will forget
his promise and-seil her.
Sebastian uttered a hoarse. animal
cry and the whites of his eyes showed
through the gloom. He would never
sell Evangelina"'
Cueto laughed aloud once more. ''Of
course! He would not dare. eh? am
only teasing you. But see! You have
given yourself away. Everything you
tell me proves that you know all about
the treasure"
Il know but one thing" the slave
declared. stiffening himself slowly.
and that is to be faithful to Don Es-
teban." He turned and departed. leav-
ing Pancho Cueto staring after him
meditatively.
In the days following the birth OF
his children and the death OF his wife.
Don Esteban Varona. as had been his
custom, steered a middle course in
politics. in that way managing to
avoid a clash with the Spanish oftt-
cials who ruled the island. or an open
break with his Cuban neighbors, who
rebelled beneath their wrongs. This
was no easy thing to do. for the
agents Of the crown were uniformly
corrupt and quite ruthless. while most
OF the native-born were either openly
or secretly in sympathy with the revo-
luton in the Orient. But Esteban
dealt diplomatically with both fac
tions and went on raising slaves and
sugar to his own great profit. Owing
to the impossibility of importing ne
groes. the market steadily improved,
and Esteban reaped a handsome profit
from those he had on hand. especially
when his crop Of young girls matured.
I.ls sugar plantations prospered. too,
and Pancho Cueto. who managed
them. continued to wonder where the
money went.
The twins, Esteban and Rosa, de-
veloped into healthy children and be-
came the pride OF Sebastian and his
daughter. into whose care they had
been given. As for Evangelina. the
young negress, she grew tall ana
strong and handsome. until she was
the finest slave girl in the neighbor-
hood. Whenever Sebastian looked at
her he thanked God for his happy cir
cumstances.
Then. one day. Don Esteban varona
remarked. and the Dona Isabel. who
had been a famous Habana beauty.
came to live at the Quinta The daugh-
ter OF impoverished parents. she had
heard and thought much about the
mysterious treasure of La Cumbre.
There followed q period Of feastins
and entertainment. of music and mer-
rymaking. Spanish officials. promi.
nent civilians of Matanzas and the
countryside, drove up the hill TO well
come Don Esteban's bride. But be-
fore the first fervor Of his honeymoon
had cooled the groom began to fear
that he had made a serious mistake
Dona Isabel, he discovered. was both
vain and selfish. Not only did she
crave luxury and display. but with
singular persistence she demanded 70
fnow all about her husbands financial
affairs
Now Don Esteban was no longer
young; age had soured him with sus-
picion. and when once he saw himself