The Ordway new era., 1919-01-03

sapphireS the ynIue OF winch tney uln
not attempt to estimate; and. besides
these. a miscellaneous assortment Of
semiprecious stones.
OReiIly realized vaguely that he
held in his lap fortune greater than
his widest dreams had ever com
passed. These were the Jewels Of
rajah. II seemed Incredible that this
ragged girl beside him was a regal
heiress, the possessor Of a treasure
such as kings might envy. After a time
he realized that the mere possession Of
these gems constituted new and over
whelming menace.
Morning found all hands more nearly
rational and feeling the first cravings
of healthy hunger. Even Asensio con-
fessed to a quite miraculous improve
mcnt. While EvangelIna prepared
breakfast the lovers agreed upon a
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. "Surei All Spaniards are
robbers and they'd kill us for a peso.
Yes. and the pacifcos are no better.
tell you we need to get out Of this
place"
II iptend to arrange it at once. but
the sight of those jewels has frightened
me. II we are searched-if we are
even suspected: I'm wondering II Rosa
can endure the hardships we'll encoun-
ter when. or II, we get away"
Exactly what 1 was thinking. I've
been considering another plan. told
you about my friend at the market.
Well, he Is n miserable Spaniard, but
he has a son in the manlgua."
"One of usf" Johnnie was surprised.
ayes. The old fellow owns a volan-
dra In which he brings charcoal from
the eastward twice a 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 OReilly
said. Take me to him. and remember
I'm your brother Juan"
The Mntanzas 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 yillainous old
brigahd In a rough Gallego cap. baggy
blouse and trousers, and straw san
dals.
Good day. my captain" he cried.
cheerily.
The Spanlard raised his head,
scowied ferociously. then waved long.
thin-bladed knife In menacing fashion.
AHA! SO there you are, robber Be
of now before slit your greedy little
bellyI Didn't I promise to give you to
the. soldiers II you came back to bother
me3"
jacket was unabashed by this hostile
reception. He grinned broadly and with
| an impudent eye he scanned the empty
premises. "where is my little fish?"
he demanded. "As live. believe you
| have sold It'll What miseri For the
sake Of another centavo you would see
me starve7 There's a heart for you'll
Come. give me my fshl Or must I lie
down and die before your very eyes to
prove my hunger?"
"What a nuisancel" grumbled the
/
and flung a mackerel upon the table.
''Therel saved 1t for you, and sent
the good women Of Matanzas away
empty-handed. But It is the very last.
Annoy me again and shall open you
with my knife and put salt on you"
"Ahl You are my good captain |"
Jacket cried in triumph. possessing
himself of the prize. "Where would
have been but for your" Turning to
O'Reilly. who had looked on from n dis
tance. he said. Captain Norm, this is
that brother Juan of whom have told
you"
NORM smiled at Johnnie and extend
ed his dirty palm. 1.-THE little fellow
can speak the truth when he wishes, 1t
seems. began to doubt that he had a
brother. What boy. eh?'
"You have son with the insurrec-
tos3'
"Yes." The fisherman cast furtive
glance over his shoulder.
"why don't you go and fight by his
side?" jacket demanded.
"God forbidl" NORM flung up his
hands. "rm a loyal subject"
well, we are going back to fight.
We are going to escape and Join Gomez
once morep jacket made the an
nouncement calmly.
"'S-sh What talk ~ Norm was In q
nervous panic lest they be overheard.
"As II anybody could escape from Ma
tnnzasi What made you come kere II
you are SO eager to fghtf"
'Tll tell you" O'ReIlly assumed d.
racfton nf the conversation sVrhara
are three Of us brothers. we two and
Esteban, a pretty little fellow. He was
captured by Cobo's men and driven In,
and we came to flnd him. But he Is
sick-dying@"