The Mena weekly star., 1919-03-06
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Haunted Garden.

HUSH fdTOHd ulu not ule. On Lnc contrary, under her lovers care she made so amazingly swift recovery that improvement was visible from hour to hour; she rallied like a wilted flower under a refreshing rain. It was OReilly's presence as much as the nourishing diet provided by his money which effected this marvel, although the certainty that Esteban was alive and safe put added force into her de- termination to live. Rosa found hope springing up in her breast and one day she caught herself laughing. The mar vel of 1t was unbelievable. O'Reilly was sitting beside her bed of leaves at the time; lmpulsively she pressed his hands to her lips.
 Such happiness as mine belongs in heaven" she managed to tell him. Sometimes 1t frightens me. With you by my side this prison Is a paradise and want for nothing. War, suffer ing, dlstress-I can't imagine they longer exist"
 Nevertheless, they do, and Matan- gas is anything but paradise" said he. We must set about quickly to get out of it."
 Escape, you mean2 But that Is i'm possible. Asensfo can tell you all about that. The Spaniards used to is- sue passes for the men to go outside the lines in search of food. It was just trick. They never came back all of them were killed. Everyone knows better than to try now"
 Nevertheless, we can't stay here much longer" In answer to the girls puzzled inquiry he explained; My money is gone-all but few cents. This Is the last of our food and there is 70 chance of getting more. Jacket has some mysterious source of supply and he manages to bring in something every now and then, but there are five of us to feed, and he can't furnish more than enough for himself. No, we must make a move at once, while we have the strength"
 Rosa had not asked the source whence came the blessed food which was bringing the life blood back into her body, and although that food was not much-a little meal, plantain, an occasional scrap of meat or fish-it had never occurred to her that the supply might be limited. She met the prob lem bravely. however.
 q have been close to death so long that 1t means little to me-" she con fessed. q have you, and-well, with you at my side can face the worst"
 'Oh, we won't give up until we have to-" he assured her. of had money 1t would be simple proposition to bribe some guard to pass us through the lines, but have spent all that Gen eral Retancourt gave me" He smoothed back Rosa's dark hair and smiled reassuringly at her. Well, I'll manage somehow; so don't worry your pretty head. I'll find the price, If ] have to waylay old Don Mario and rob him. Don't you think I look like bandit? The very sight of me would terrify that fat rascal"
 gro me you are beautiful" breathed the girl. Then she lowered her eyes La, la How I spoil youl l have quite forgotten how to be ladylike. Isa- bel was right when she called me bold and forward hussy. Now, then, please turn your face aside, for I wish to think, and so long as you look at me cannot--I make love to you bra zenly. Seel Now, then, that is much better. I shall hold your hand, so. When I kiss 1t you may look at me again, for a moment" Drawing her self closer to O'Reilly, Rosa began thoughtfuuy: Before you came more than once was on the point of appeal ing to some of my former friends. but they are all Spaniards and we are no longer-simpatico. you understandf
 Rosa paused fos lls answer.
 "Perfectly; I'm in the same fix. of all the people l used to know there Isn't one but would denounce me if l made myself known. Now that I've been fighting with the insurrectos, ] daren't even ea to the American consul for heIp-if there Is an American con sul."
 Rosa nodded, then continued, hesi- tatingly: q had c vivid dream lasi