THE 8EMLWEEKLY TRIBUNE, NORTH PLATTE NEBRASKA, ROSA AND HER COMPANIONS, FACING STARVATION, ARE FORCED TO LEAVE THEIR HIDING PLACES Synopsis Don Estobnn Vnronn, rlth Cuban plnntcr, hides his money nnd Jowela and the secret of the hiding pluco Is lost when ho and tho only other person who knows It nro killed. Donna Isabel, step mother of tho Vurona twins Estcbnn nnd Itosn searches vainly for yoare for tho hidden treasure. Johnny O'llcllly, nn American, loves and Is loved by Itosa. Donna Isabel falls to her death in an old well whllo walking In her sleep. Esteban's connection with tho Cuban lnsnrrcctos Is discovered and ho ami Itosa nro forced to lice. O'llcllly, In Now York on business, gets n Tetter from Rosa telling of her peril nnd ho starts for Cuba. Pancho Cucto, faithless manager of tho Vnrona estates, botrnys Estebnn and Itosa, leading Colonel Cobo, notorious Spanish guerrilla, to their hiding place. Estoban, who Is absent, returns Just in tlmo to rescuo Rosa. O'Rollly's efforts to reach Rosa nro fruit less and ho Is compelled by tho Spanish authorities to leave Cuba. Estoban wreaks n terrible vengeance on Pancho Cucto. A fierce flght with Spanish soldiers ensues. Esteban escapes, but, bndly wounded nnd half conscious, ho fs unable to find his wny bock to his camp. CHAPTER XI Continued. 9 But tho tlmo camo when ho could .walk no farther. IIo tried repeatedly and failed, and meanwhllo tho earth epun oven moro rapidly, threatening to whirl him off into space. It was n ter rlblo sensation; ho lay down and hugged tho ground, clinging to roots nnd sobbing weakly. Rosa, ho knew, was Just .around tho next bend in tho trail ; ho called to her, but sho did not answer, aud ho dared not attempt to creep forward becauso his grip was falling. Ho could feel his Angers slip pingslipping. Ills Inst thought, as ho wont whirling end over end through space, was of his sl3tcr. Sho would novcr know how hard ho had tried to reach her. Lnto on tho second day nftor tho bnt tlo Asenslo returned to his bohlo. Ro3a and Evnngellnn, nlrcndy frantic at tho delay, heard him crying to them while he was still hidden in tho woods, nnd know that tho worst had happened. There was little need for him to tell his story, for ho was weaponless, Btained, and bloody. Ho hnd crossed the hills on foot after a miraculous es cape from that ravino of death. Of his companions be know nothing what ever; tho mention of Esteban's name caused him to beat his bteast and cry aloud. Ho was weak and feverish, and his Incoherent story of tho midnight encounter was eo hlglily colored that Rosa nearly swooned with horror. Tho girl stood swaying whllo ho told how tho night had betrayed them, how ho had wrought incredible feats of valor beforo tho Bhlfttng (Ido of battle had spewed him out tho end of tho sunken road and left hlra half dead In tho grass. Asenslo had lain there un til, finding himself growing stronger, ho had burrowed into n tnnglo of vinos lit 'the foot of n wall, whero ho had re mained uhtll tho fighting ceased. When tho Spaniards had finally discovered their mistake and had ceased riding ouo another down, when lights camo and ho heard Colonel Cobo cursing them like ono insane, ho had wriggled away, crossed the calzada, and hlddon in tho woods until dawn, no had been walking ever sluco; ho had como homo to die. Asenslo recovered, but ho wns sadly changed. Thero was no longer any martial spirit in him; ho feared tho Spaniards, and talcs of their atrocities cowed him, Then Cobo camo into tho Yutnnrl. The vnlloy, already well-nigh deserted, wns filled to tho brim with smoko from burning fields nnd houses, and through It tho Bun showed llko a coppor shield. Refugees passed tho bohlo, bound farther Into tho hilts, nnd Asenslo told tho two women that ho and thoy must nlso go. So tho three gathered nn what few things they could carry oa uieir docks ana lieu. They did net stop until they had gained tho fnBtnesscs of tho Pan do Matanzas. Hero thoy built a shelter nnd ngaln took up tho problem of llv Bg, which was now moro dlincult than ever. The Pan do Matanzas, so called be cause of Its resemblance to n mighty loaf of bread, became 'a mockery to tho hungry people cowering in its shel ter. Bread I Rosa Varona could not remember when sho had lost tasted such a luxury. Raw enne, coconuts, the tasteless frultn bomba, roots, tho pith from palm tops, these woro her articles of diet, and she did not thrive upon them. She was always moro or less hungry. She was ragged, too, and eho ffblvercd miserably through tho long, chil! nlgbt. Rosa could measure the change la her appearance only by studying her reflection from tho sur face of the upring where sho drew wa ter, hut the could see that oho had be come very thin, nnd 8ho Judged that the color had entirely gone from her checks. It saddened her, for O'Rellly'a sake. Time came when. Asenslo spoke of living up tho struggle nnd going in. They wero gradually starving, he said, and Rosa was ill; tho risk of discovery was ever present. It was better to go whllo they had Iho strength than slow ly but surely to perish here, no had heard that there wero twenty thousand reconcentrados in Matnnzns; in such n ferawrt tby wild easily manage to By REX BEACH hldo themselves; they would at least bo fed along with tho others. No one hnd told Asenslo that tho government was leaving Its prisoners to shift for themselves, supplying them with not a pound of food nor a square Inch of shelter. Misery bred desperation at last; Evangellna's courage failed her, nnd sho allowed herself to bo won over. Sho began her preparations by disguis ing Rosa. Gathering herbs nnd berries, sho mndo n stain with which she col ored tho girl's face and body, then sho sewed a bundle of leaves Into tho Imok ot Rosa's waist so that when tho lat ter stooped her shoulders and wnlkcd with n stick her appearance of de formity was complete. On tho night beforo their departure Rosa Varona prayed Ibng and earnest ly, asking llttlo for herself, but much for tho two black pooplo who had suf fered so much for her. Sho prayed also that O'Reilly would como before It was too late. CHAPTER XII. A Wom,an With a Mission. Within a fow hours after O'Reilly's return to New York ho telephoned to Felipe Alvnrado, explaining briefly tho disastrous falluro of his Cuban trip. "I 'feared as much," tho doctor told him. "You were lucky to escopo with your life." "Well, I'm going back. Won't yon in tercede for mo with the Junta? They're constantly sending parties." "Um-rn 1 not quite so often as that." Alvarndo was silent for n moment; then ho said: "Dlno with mo tonight and we'll talk It over. I'm eager for nows of my brothors nnd thero is some ono I wish you to meet She is Interested In our cnuso." " 'Sho'? A woman?" "Yes, and an unusual woman. Sho has contributed liberally to our cause. I would llko you to meet her." "Very well; but I'vo only ono suit of clothes, and It looks no if I'd slept in it." "Oli, .bother tho clothes 1" laughed tho physician. "I'vo given most of my own to my destltuto countrymen. Don't expect too much to eat, either; every extra dollar, you know, goes tho eamo way as my extra trou sers. It will bo a sort of patriotic poverty party.' Come at seven, please." That evening O'Reilly anticipated his dinner engagement by a fow mo ments In order to havo n word nlono with Alvnrado. ''This lady who is coming hero to night has Influence with Enrlquoz," Al vnrado told him. "You remember I told you that sho has contributed lib erally. 8ho might help you." O'RolUy had met women with ideals, with purposes, with avocations, aud his opinion of them was low. Women who had "missions" woro nlwnys tire some, ho had discovered. This ono, It appeared, was uuusunl only In that sho had adopted n particularly exacting form of charitable work. Nursing, oven as u rich woman's diversion, must bo anything but agreeable. O'Reilly pictured this Evans person in his mind a large, plnln, elderly crea ture, obsessed wlh impractical idens of uplifting tho masses I Sho would undoubtedly horo him stiff with stories of her work; sho would reproach him with neglect of his duties to tho suf fering. Johnnie wus too poor to bo charltablo and too deeply engrossed nt the moment with his own troubles to enro anything whatovcr about tho "masses." And sho wus n "miss." That meant that she w.oro thick glasses nnd probably kept cats. v A ringing laugh from tho cramped hallway, interrupted these reflections; then u moment later Doctor Alvarndo was Introducing O'Reilly to a young 'Womnn so completely out of tho pic ture, bo utterly the opposlto of hts preconceived notions, that ho was mo mentarily at a loss. Johnulo found himself looking into a pair of frank gray eyes, and felt his hand seized by n Ann, nlmost masculine grasp. Miss Evans, according to his first dazzling ImprosBlon, was about tho most fetch ing creature ho hud over seen and about the last person by whom any young man could bo bored. Tho girl mid sho wns a pJrl lwd brought Into 'Copyrltfht. by Harper and Brothers) tho room nn electric vitality, n brcezl- ncss hard to describe. Altogether sho was such a vision of hcnlthy, unaffect ed and smartly gotton-up young wom anhood that O'Reilly could only stam mer his acknowledgment of the Intro duction, Inwardly berating himself for his awkwardness. Alvnrado placed nn affectionate hand upon Miss Evans' shoulder. "O'Reilly, this girl has done moro for Cuba than any of us. She has spent a small fortune for medical supplies," said he. "Those poor men must Uvo on qui nine," the girl exclaimed. "Anyone who can bear to take the stuff ought to havo all ho wants. I've a perfect pnsslon for giving pills." O'Reilly liked this girl. He had liked her the Instant she favored him with her friendly smile, nnd so, trusting fatuously to his masculine powers of observation, he tried to analyze her. He could not guess her age, for an ex pensive ladles' tailor can baffle tho most discriminating eye. Certainly, However, sho Was not old ho had an Idea that sho would tell hlra her exact age if he asked her. While ho could not call her beautiful, sho was some thing immensely better sho wns alive, human, interesting, and interested. The fact that she did not take her "mission" over-serlously proved that sho was also sensible beyond most women. Yes, that was it. Miss No rlno Evans was n perfectly sensible, unspoiled young person, who showed the admirable effects of clean Hvlng and clean thinking coupled with a nor mal, sturdy constitution. O'Relllyaold himself that hero was a girl who could pour tea, nurso a sick man, or throw a bascbnll. And she was as good as her promise. She did not interrupt when, during dinner, Alvnrado led Johnnie to talk about his lntcst experience In Cuba, but, on tho contrary, her unflagging hi- tercst Induced O'Reilly to address his talk moro often to her than to the doc tor. Ho soon discovered that she un derstood tho Cuban situation us well ns or better than he, and that Her sym- "I'm Colno Right to the ln6urrectos With You." pnthlcs were keen. Sho was genuinely moved uy tno gallant struggle of tho Cuban people, and when tho dinner was over she exploded a eurpriso wuicn left both men speechless. "This settles it with me, she an nounced. I'm going right to tho Insur rcctos with you." ' "With tno!" O'Reilly could not con ceal his lack of enthusiasm. "I dnn'f- know that the Junta will tnko me." "They will If I ask them. Yqu say tho rebels have no hospitals, no nurses" "We do tho best wo can, with our equlpmont." "Well, I'll supply better equipment, nnd I'll handle It myself. I'm in ear nest You slm'n't stop rac." Tho physician stirred uneasily. "It's utterly absurd," ho expostulated. "Some women might do it, hut you're not tho sort. You are pardon me a most attractive young person. You'd ho thrown among rough men." "Mr. O'Reilly will look-out for mo. Rut, for that mat tor, I can take care of myself. Oh, It's oC no use trying to dlscourago me. I always havo my own way; I'm completely spoiled." "Your family will novcr consent," O'Reilly ventured; whereupon Miss Evans laughed. "I haven't such a thing. I'm alone nnd unincumbered. No girl wns over so fortunate. But wait I'll settle this wholo thing In a minute." Sho quitted tho table, ran toAlvarado's telephone, and called a number, "Sho's after Enrlqucz," groaned tho physician. 'Tie's weak; ho can't re fuso her auythlng." "I don't want n Womnn nn hiw J hands," O'Reilly whispered, fiercely. E Author of "The Iron Trail," "The Spoilers," "Heart ofithe Sunset," Etc. "Suppose sho got sick? Good, Lord I I'd have to nurso her." no wined a sudden moisture from his brow. "Oh, she won't get sick. She'll prob ably nurso you and nil tho other men. You'll llko it, too, and you will nil fall In love with her everybody docs and start lighting among yourselves. There I She hns Enrlquez. Listen." Johnnie shivered apprehensively nt the directness with which Mls3 Evans put her request. "You understand, I want to go nnd see for myself," sho was snylng. "If you need medicines I'll give them bushels of the nnstlest stuff I can buy. I'll organize n field hospital. . . . Oh, very well, call It a bribe, If you like. Anyhow, I've fully determined to iro. and Mr. O'ltolU ly has volunteered to take 'care of me. nes ennrmea with the, Men." Miss Evans giggled. " "That means you'll havo to tako him along, too." There followed n pause during which tho two men exchanged dismayed glances'. "She doesn't seem to care "what sho says," O'Reilly murmured. "But I'll put a flea in Enrlqucz' car." "Put it In writing, please." There was a wait. "Now read It to me. . . . Good I" Miss Evans fairly purred over the telephone. "Send it to me by messenger right nway; that's a dear. I'm at Doctor Alvarado's house, and he's beside himself with Joy. Thanks, awfully. You'ro so nice." A moment, and she was back In the dining room facing her two friends a picture of triumph. "You have nothing more to say about it," she gloated. " The pro visional government of Cuba, through its New York representatives, extends to Miss Norlno Evnns an invitation to visit Its temporary headquarters in the Sierra de somethlng-or-othcr, nnd deems It an honor to have her ns Its guest so long ns sho wishes to remain there. Now then, lot's celebrate.' Sho executed a dance step, pirou etted around the room, then plumped herself flown into her chair. She rat tled her cup and saucer noisily, cry ing, "Fill them up,- Doctor Gloom. Let's drink to Cuba Libre." Johnnie managed to smile as ho raised his demi-tasse.. "Here's to my success as a chaperon," said he. "I'm disliked By tho Spnnlards, nnd now tho Cubans will hnto me. I can see kappy flays ahead." O'Reilly arose early the next morn ing and hurried down to the office of tho Junta, hoping that ho could con vince Mr. Enrlquez of the folly of al lowing Norlno Evans to havo her wav. But his respect for Miss Evans' energy and initiative deepened when, on arriv ing at 50 New street, he discovered mat sno una forestalled hlra and was oven then closeted with tho man he had como to -see. Johnnie waited un easily ; ho was dismayed when the girl Anally appeared, with Enrlquez in tow, for tho mnn's face wns radiant. "It's all settled," sho announced, nt sight of O'Reilly. "I've speeded them up." "You'ro an early riser," tho latter re marked. "I hardly expected" Enrlquez broko in. "Such enthusi asm I Such ardor! Sho whirls n ner- son off his feet." "It seems that tho Junta lacks money for another expedition, so I've made up the deficit We'll be off In a week." "Really? Then you're actually going?" "Of course. Don't bo hateful, and argumentative, or I'll begin to think you'ro n born chaperon," Miss Evans exclaimed. "Como I Make up your mind to endure mo. And. now you'ro going to help mo buy my tropical out fit With a smile nnd a nod at Enrlquez sho took O'Rellly'a nrm and boro him awny. Tho days of Idle waiting that fol lowed wero trying, oven to ono of O'Reilly's philosophical habit of mind. Ho could learn nothing about tho Jun ta's plans, and, owing td his complete uncertainty, he was unnble to get work. At last thero camo n message which brought them great Joy. Enrlquez dt rected them to bo in readiness to reave Jersey City at seven o'clock the follow ing morning. Neither Johnnie nor Les llo Branch slept much that night As they waited In tho huge, bnrnllko stntlon Enrlquez appeared with Norinc Evans upon his arrii. Tho girl's color was high ; sho was tremulous wlth'ex dtcmcnt Losllo Branch, who saw her for tho first time, emitted a low wHistlo of surprise. "Glory be t That goddess 1" ho cried. When iVorino took his bony, blood less harrS in her warm grasp and flashed him hot frank, friendly smile, ho capitulated Instantly. Enrlqucz was Introducing a new comer now, ono Major Ramos, n square-Jawed forceful Cuban, who, It seemed, was to be In command of tho expedition. "My duties end hero," Enrlquez ex plained. "Major Ramos will tako chargo of you, and you must 'do ex actly us ho directs. Ask no questions, for ho won't nnswer them. Good-by and good luck." When he hnd gono tho threo Ameri cans followed their uow guide through tho Iron gates. Major Ramos proved that ho knew JVoxJel how to obey orders even though thai other members of his party did not Ho remained utterly dCaf to Miss Ev ans' entreaties that ho let Her know something about tho plans cf the ex pedition; he would not efh tell her where ho wns taking her. whom thn other filibusters hnd assembled, or rrom what port their ship would sail. When Philadelphia. Wnshlnclnn. tlmn Baltimore, and finally Richmond wero leit uciiind, Miss Evans was, in truth, ready to explode, and her two compan ions were in a slmllnr frame of mind, It wns not until tho train wns ap proaching Charleston that Malor Ra mos Anally nnnounced: "This is tho enu or our journey; the other mem bers of tho expedition nro here. But I must ask you not to talk with them or with any strangers, for our friends nre Doing watched by.dctoctlves In the employ of the Spanish minister nt Washington and by United Stntes dep uty marshals. One llttlo Indiscretion might ruin everything." Tho hotel to which Major Ramos leu. his guests appeared to be well Ailed ; thero wero many Cubans In tho lobby, and the olr was heavy with tho uroma of their strong, black cigarettes. As tho major entered they turned in terested and expectant faces toward him and they eyed his companions with frank, curiosity. Miss Evans became tho target for more than ono wnrmlv admiring glance. As for O'Reilly, the familiar odor of thoso Cuban cigarettes, the snatches of Spanish conversation which ho over heard, awoko in him n great excite ment; he realized with an odd thrill that these eager, dark-visaged men wero now his friends nnd comrades. nnd that thoso Americans loitering watchfully among them were his ene mies the spies of whom Ramos had spoken. There were nt lenst a score of tho latter, and all were plainly stamped with the distinctive marks of their calling. That thoy, too, were In terested in tho latest arrivals was soon made evident by their efforts to get acquainted. On the next afternoon word was nul- etly passed to get ready, and the fill- Dustcrs, carrying their scant hnnd baggage, began to leave the hotel in groups, followed, of course, by tho watchful spies. As the three Americans nrennrml for departure Norlne whispered: "Listen I Everything is all right We're not go ing aDoaru tno Dauntless at all; she's hero as a blind." "Are you sure?" O'Relllv shot her a quick glance. "Mnjor Ramos himself cave Hint story to tho newspapers ; it's all a part or his plan. I promised not to tell, but I Just enn't holn myself. Gee! I'm having a good time." Leslie Branch shook his head mourn fully. "You may enJov it. but I don't." he grumbled. "We'll end it by being pinched, and that will finish me. Ono week in a damp coll, with my lungs n O'Reilly, whose spirits had risen magically, clapped him heartily on the back, crying: "Congratulations t You're feeling better." "I never felt worse I" the other com plained. "Nonsense I That's the first kink you've made since we hit cold weather. uy tho time wo reach Cuba you'll bo nice nnd melancholy and your couch will bo all gone." Ramos led his threo charges to tho railroad station and into the rear coach of a south-bound train, where tho other members of tho expedition had already found seats. As" thy climbed aboard a secret service ngnt essnyed to follow them, .but he was stopped by a brnkeman, vho said : "You can't rldo in hero: this is n special car. Some sort of a nlcnlc party. They'-ro 'wops' or Greeks or something." O'Reilly finds himself back In Cuba only to have his hopes of finding. Rosa arid Esteban re celvo another crushing blow. Still he refuses to give up the search. Read about these devel opments In tho next Installment. (JO BIS CONTINUED.) Valuable Australian Wood. Figured blnckwood Is mentioned by a consular report ns perhaps tho most beautiful of AUBtrnlln' s innnv nrnn. mental hardwoods. The "fiddlebnck" and "mottled" grains aro most sought, tho grain of tho 'former being not un like that of tho North American curly maple. Tho color, however, Is differ ent, being n rich golden brown. Tho panel effects nro obtained by combin ing tho Aguro with tho plain black- woou. Chesterfield and Voltaire. Tho fourth carl of ChesterAeld was on ono occasion nt a grand assembly in Franco whero Voltnlro was ono of the guests. Suddenly tho French writer accosted his lordship with tho words: "My lord, I know you aro a Judge. Which aro the more beautiful, tho English or tho Wrench Indies?" "Upon my word," rcplted Chesterfield, with his usual presence of mind. "I am no Judge of palntltjfa." Argonaut THE MAKING OF A FAMOUS MEDICINE How Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound Is Prepared For Woman's Use. A visit to the laboratory where tht successful remedy Is made impresses even the casual looker-on with the reli ability, accuracy, skill and cleanliness which attends the making of this great medicine for woman's ills. Over 860,000 pounds of various herb aro used anually and all havo to be gathered at the season of the year when their natural juicos and medicinal sub stances aro at their best The most successful solvents are used to extract tho medicinal properties from theso herbs. Every utensil and tank that comes in contact with tho medicine is sterilized and as a final precaution in cleanliness the medicine is pasteurized and sealed in sterilo bottles. It is tho wonderful combination of roots and herbs, together with the skill and care used in its preparation which has made this famous medicine so successful in tho treatment of femalo ills. Tho letters from women viho have been restored to health by tho uso of Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Com pound which wo are continually pub lishing attest to its virtue. Ciiticura Promotes Hair Health Sop25c Oiabat25e50e BEST BUYERS"5ELLERS cattle! 1 hogssheep STOCK YAROS-OMAHAi MANY INDIAN PEACE EMBLEMS Wisconsin Braves Still Retain Numer ous Medals Given to Them by Various Governments. Wisconsin Indians still retain many peace medals that were given to them or their ancestors by various govern ments, and somo of tho medals date back to 1720, according to an article on Wisconsin Indian medals In Tho Wisconsin Archegloglst Tho earliest medals owned by Indian families today lncludo ono of brass is sued at the tlmo of George I, four of silver bearing the bust of George HI, an old Spanish medal and four Amerl- tan medals. A Washington medal is in the posses sion of nn aged Ottawa Indian on the Menomonle reservation near Shawano. Phjllp Nacootee, a Menomonle Indian of the South Branch settlement has a Lincoln medal. A silver medal with tho bust of President Polk, dated 1845, was owned by tho .Menomonle chief, Shunlen. Arthur Gerth, Milwaukee collector. onco owned a silver medal Issued by President Jefferson. An Andrew John son medal Is in tho collection of A. T. Newman of Bloomer. Dr. Alphonse Gerend is the owner of a sliver George III medal, formerly the property of tho Wisconsin chlef,Wnumegesako. Couldn't Find Peter. "Borrowing from Peter to nnv Pnnl Is bad business." sold Mr. DnhwnlfA. "So It Is," replied the impecunious cit izen, -in my case I find It exception ally bad business." "Yfhy should It be worse for you than anvbedv else?" "I have the dickens of a time finding r aui." Better Off if yovL drink INSTANT P0STUM ixsteadJbf coffee. Postum. is nutriticms, economical, delicious and American. TRY IT FR EVERY N