And the
Maceos are here, too, from Costa Rica. Antonio has already gained
control of most of Santiago Province, and he's sweeping westward.
Of course the Spaniards minimize the reports of his success, and
we, here, don't understand what's really going on. Anyhow,
business has stopped, and my employers have ordered me home to
find out what's happened to their profits. They seem to hold me
personally responsible for this insurrection."
"I see. And when you have told them the truth you will come back.
Is that it?"
"I--Perhaps."
"You said there was something else--"
O'Reilly's hesitation became an embarrassed silence. He tried to
laugh it off.
"There is, otherwise I'd stay right here and tell my penurious
friends to whistle for their profits. It seems I'm cursed with a
fatal beauty. You may have noticed it? No? Well, perhaps it's a
magnificent business ability that I have. Anyhow, the president of
my company has a notion that I'd make him a good son-in-law."
"I--Oh!" cried Rosa.
And at her tone O'Reilly hurried on:
"These rich men have the most absurd ideas. I suppose I'll have
to--"
"Then you are in love, senor?"
The young man nodded vigorously. "Indeed I am--with the sweetest
girl in Cuba. That's the whole trouble. That's why I'm hurrying
home to resign before I'm fired." Not daring to look too long or
too deeply into Rosa Varona's eyes until she had taken in the
whole truth, he waited, staring at his feet.
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