The Mena weekly star., 1919-04-17

and bit it.
 "It's reall" he cried. "Now let me look at the jewels"
 Rosa has them. The's wearing them on her back Hunched backs are lucky, you know; hers is wortha for tune"
 Why. this beats the Arabian Nightsp" Norine gasped.
 "It beats-" Branch paused, then wagged his head warningly at the girl. T don't believe a word of it and you mustn't"
 Then Johnnie told the story. When he had finished there was a long no ment of silence. Then Norine qua Vered tremulously: That boy! That blessed boy I"
 "lt's all too weirdly improbable" oReilly smiled. but ask Rosa or Jacket-the boy Is bursting to tell some one. He nearly died because he couldn't brag about it to Captain Mo rln, and there won't be any holding him now. I'm afraid he1l tip off the news about that treasure in spite of all my warnings. Those jewels are a temptation; won't rest easy until they're safely locked up in some good vault. Now then. I've told you every thing, but I'm dying for news. Tell me about yourselves, about Esteban. ex- pected to find him well. What ails him?"
 "Oh, Johnnie" Norine began. He's very III. He isn't getting we'll. Help me, Johnnlel Help me to get him home"
 "Of course I will. Wen take him and Rosa away where they can forget Cuba and all the misery 1t has caused them. We'll make him well--don't worry"
 OReilly saw little of his sweetheart that day, for Norfne promptly bore the girl of to her own quarters and there attended to her needs, the most press. Ing of which was clothing.
 While O'Rellly was similarly en, gagged in making himself presentable he and Branch talked earnestly, with the result that they repaired later to General Gomez. O'Reilly concluded by saying:
 I've done what came to do, sir, but Miss Varona Is badly shaken by all she has been through. She's very nervous and far from well. Esteban, too, isn't recovering
 General Gomez nodded. Miss Evans declares he must have change, and we have arranged to send him out of the country. His sister. poor child should go, too"
 "They should go at once," O'Reilly said, positively. That's why we came to see you. Let us-Branch and me take all three of them to the United States.'
 "But howl How can you take two women and a sick man.
 wen manage somehow" O'Reilly declared. Tt isn't far across to the Bahama Banks. I'll agree to come back if you so desire"
 Gomez shook his white head. "No You came to find and save your fiancee and you volunteered to serve with us while you were doing so. We have nc desire to keep any man against his will Some one must escort Miss Evans, who in our guest. Why not you two?
 q was looking forward to an inter. esting ceremony this afternoon" Go. meg went on. Has your arrival changed the plans?"
 "Oh no. siri" 0'Reilly said, quickly. sTd like to make it doubly interesting If Miss varona will consent to such short notice"
 Bravo You have a way of doing the unexpected. Why not2 I don't think Miss Varona will have 1t in her heart to refuse you anything"
 The old soldier was right. Rosa did not gainsay her lover, and toward sun, down the city among the leaves wit messed an unaccustomed scene.
 Rosa, very dainty in her borrowed nurses uniform. was round-eyed timid; she evoked much admiration but when she was addressed as Sonora O'Reilly she blushed to the roots of her hair and shrank close to her bus bands side. Branch proved to be 8 happy choice as Esteban's proxy, foI he relieved Norine's anxiety and smoth cred her apprehensions.
 When Rosa and O'Reilly returned to Esteban's cabin they found Norine ahead of them. She was kneeling be side the sick mans hammock, and through the doorway came the low, in innate murmur of their voices. Rosa drew her husband away, whispering happily:
 ''He will get we'll God and that won.