Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 76, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 December 1918 — RAINBOW' END A NOVEL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

RAINBOW' END A NOVEL

By REX BEACH

author. ojf772A7Z. * *77?££PO/.LE&<S * TfEterCFTHE&fiQET'BC. copvw&ht, by harper, and brothers.

CHAPTER XXII. The Rainbow’s End. The journey to the coast was made t>y easy stages and Esteban stood it fairly well. Jacket, of course, went along. Upon the announcement of O’Reilly’s intended departure for the States he had promptly abandoned Cuba to her fate. He foreswore her utterly and declared himself a loyal American citizen. Relying upon the best information (obtainable at Cubitas, O’Reilly had counted upon securing a sailboat from to certain ‘fisherman whose sympathies were known to be loyal, but in this he jwas disappointed. The party arrived 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 ampty, the boats were gone—all but one old hulk, too rotten to warrant moving, which lay high up on the sand, Its planks worm-eaten, its seams wide spread by the sun. 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. “No, no!” sfee cried, apxioqsly. “We must get him away. His heart is set on going through and it would—kill him to go back.” “Then I guess we’ll have to go through," he smiled. For the first time in their acquaintance Norine lost Control of herself. “Promise that you won’t go back,” she implored him. well, if you’ll consent to risk this miserable tub we found on the Dea ch —” ‘Til risk anything —a raft, even. Is there an even chance of-our getting across?" , "Perhaps. It all depends upon the Weather.” When morning came O’Reilly made a closer examination of the abandoned boat. The result was not encouraging, but he determined to make use of it, and the crazy craft was launched. It '.as necessary to handle her gingerly, .and when she took the water she leaked abominably. But during the light she swelled and in the morning it was possible to Sail her out. From the point of leaving it was perhaps five- miles across the sound to the fringe of keys which in this neighborhood bordered the old Bahama channel with its unplumbed depths of blue water. Here it was calm, so the run was soon made. When the,coastline of Cuba had become a blur astern Rosa crept back and seated herself beside her husband. “How much I love you,” she whispered. “But I never can tell you, for we are never alone. Was there ever such a courtship, such a marriage, and such a wedding journey as ours?” It proved to be a long, long night, for the boat, though roomy, was uncomfortable. Daylight brought an increased breeze which heeled the boat further. Fortunately the haze was not thick enough to wholly obscure the sun and so O’Reilly was enabled to hold his course. But he did not like the look of things. In time there came a spiteful drizzle whidh completely hid the sun and left no indication of the course except the direction whence drove the rain. No one spoke now. Even Esteban lay silent, shivering miserably upon his sodden bed. Rosa finally straightened her aching back find smiled at her husband. “Are we going down?” she asked. “Oh no I This is merely a squall,” he itold her, with an assumption of confl'dence he was far from feeling. Deliverance came suddenly, and from the least-expected quarter. Out of the

mist to starboard there materialized a shape, a schooner driving ahead of the wind. The refugees descried her simultaneously and stood ankle deep in the wash, waving their hats and their calabashes, and shouting crazily until she saw them and fetched up. There Vas a babble of voices, shouted questions, hysterical answers. Rosa was weeping softly; Norine had lifted Esteban and now clutched him tight, while her tears fell upon his face. The schooner was a sponger bound for Nassau; its blackbird crew spoke English and they willingly helped the strangers overside, laughing and shouting in a childlike display of excitement. Soon there was hot food and coffee, dry beds and blankets for those who needed them. Johnnie tucked his bride snugly into one of the hard berths, then stooped and kissed her. Rosa’s teeth were chattering, but she smiled happily. “God’s hand directed us," she said. “One only needs to pray long enough and strong enough and he will hear.” It was a month later. Quaint old Nassau lay dozing under an afternoon sun. Up from the beach came O’Reilly and his youthful alter ego, Jacket. They were clad in clean white clothes; a month of rest had done them good. Jacket was no longer wizened; he was plump and sleqk and as full of mischief as a colt, while O’Reilly’s leanness had disappeared and he filled bls garments as a man should. They turned in through a picket gate and up a walk. At the end stood a cottage with wide porches hidden beneath jasmine and honeysuckle and morningglory vines. “Look, Rosa I” Jacket lifted the heavy string of fish. “We had stupendous luck.” But Rosa was in her husband’s arms and neither she nor O’Reilly had eyes for anything but each other. Rosa had vastly changed. She was clad in a charming little muslin dress, there were dimples in her cheeks, she wore a heavy Marechai Neil bud at her breast. O’Reilly held her off and devoured her with his eyes.

“Sweetheart, you grow fresher and more beautiful every hour,” said he. Rosa danced upon her toes, and tugged at him. “But come quickly and see the surprise we have. I’ve been wild for your return, so hurry.” She led him swiftly up the steps, and there, standing beside »a chair, was Esteban Varona, “He dressed himself and walked out here alone. He’s well!” “Esteban ! Really—” The brother nodded decisively. “It’s true. I rebelled at last. Tomorrow I’ll walk to the gate and the next day we’ll go fishing. Here’s a letter from Leslie, by the way. There’s one bit of news; he say's the talk of intervention increases and he may have to return to Cuba as a war correspondent. "Intervention! That would be fine,” Esteban cried. O’Reilly nodded. “Oh, it’s bound to come, and when Uncle Sam takes hold Culm will be free." Norine agreed > “I’m sure of it. Abd then —we’ll all go back to our rainbow’s end and dig for that pot of gold.” Esteban turned adoring eyes upon the speaker; he took her hand in his. “I’ve found my rainbow’s end,” said he. “And I’Ve found mine,” O’Reilly asserted. “I’ve gained your father’s treasure, and more—l’ve found the prize of all the Indies.” With his arm about Rosa he drew her into the house. Esteban lowered himself into’ his chair and Norine rested herself upon its arm. He lay back with eyes closed. From the regions at the rear came the voice of Jacket. The boy was in a declamatory mood. He had gathered an audience, as was his daily custom, and was addressing them in English: “I skilled more’n a dozen Spaniards at Pino Bravo. It was my day. By rights I should have been made a general, but —” (THE END.)