The Washington herald., 1920-01-04
THE OWL AND THE Pussy

THE OWL AND THE PUSSY-CAT.
The journey to the coast was made
by easy stages and Esteban stood il
fairly well. The excitement wore up
on him, to be sure, and the jolting
of his litter was trying. but Norine
was always at his side where he
could see her, and Rosa Joined in the
tender care OF him. Guides. horses,
and tent FOR the sick man had been
supplied, and over these ,O'Reilly ex-
ercised a Jealous watchfulness, ably
seconded by Branch. For once, at
least, the latter lent himself to useful
ends and shirked no duties. His
wounded arm recovered miraculous1y
and he exercised it freely: he skirm-
ished tndustriously for food and he
enlivened the journey by a rare dis
play of good spirits.
Jacket, of course, went along. Upon
the announcement of O'Reilly,s in
tended departure for the States he had
promptly abandoned Cuba to her fate
He foreswore her utterly and declared
himself loyal American citizen. He
made II plain once more, and for tho
last time. that where O'Reilly went
there went he. for they were one and
indivisible. 1t dismayed him not at
all to turn his feet to new pathways.
his face toward new adventures.
Relying upon the best information
obtainable at Cubitas, O'ReiIly had
counted upon securing a sailboat from
certain fisherman whose sympathies
were known to be loyal. but in this
he was disappointed The party ar
rived at its destination. a tiny clearing
on an unfrequented part of the north
shore, only to find IT deserted and
already grown to weeds. The house
was empty. the boats were gone-all
but one old hulk, too rotten to war
rant moving, which lay high up on
the sand. its planks worm-eaten, its
seams wide spread by the sun.
Having established Esteban in the
hut O'Reilly took counsel with his
Cubans, but gained little satisfaction
from them. They knew of-no other
fisherman in this vicinity: the nearest
towns were in Spanish hands; they
advised a return to Cubitas at once.
This OReilly would not listen to-
Sending them in one direction, he took
Leslie and Jacket and rode away in
the other. The trio followed the
beach for several miles until they
came to a vast mangrove swamp
which turned them inland. This they
skirted until the jungle became i'm
passable and they were in danger of
losing themselves; they returned at
dusk. having encountered no human
being and having discovered neither
roads nor horses.
The other expedition reported slight
ly better success; II had located a
small plantation some distance to the
east. the owner OF which had warned
them against exploring farther. in
asmuch, as strong Spanish patrol,
on the lookout for that American
despatch bearer from Nassau, was op-
Grating in his neighborhood. 1t was
these very troops, he announced, who
had driven the fisherman from his
home: he was sure there were no
boats anywhere within reach.
O'Reilly was in a quandary. He
gravely doubted Esteban's ability to
stand the rough return journey. and
when he spoke to Norine of turning
back she was panic stricken at the
suggestion.
mo, mol" she cried, anxiously. I'VE
must get him away. Oh. johnnie.
every day. we lose by waiting lessons
his chances! His heart is set on. go
ing through and it would-kill him TO
go back" ~
Then / guess we'li have to go
through" he smiled.
For the first time in their acquaint-
ance Norine lost control Of herself