On the night before their departure Rosa Varona prayed long and
earnestly, asking little for herself, but much for the two black
people who had suffered so much for her. She prayed also that
O'Reilly would come before it was too late.
XIV
A WOMAN WITH A MISSION
Within a few hours after O'Reilly's return to New York he
telephoned to Felipe Alvarado, explaining briefly the disastrous
failure of his Cuban trip.
"I feared as much," the doctor told him. "You were lucky to escape
with your life."
"Well, I'm going back."
"Of course; but have you made any plans?"
"Not yet. I dare say I'll have to join some filibustering outfit.
Won't you intercede for me with the Junta? They're constantly
sending parties."
"Um-m! not quite so often as that." Alvarado was silent for a
moment; then he said: "Dine with me to-night and we'll talk it
over. I'm eager for news of my brothers and--there is some one I
wish you to meet. She is interested in our cause."
"'She'? A woman?"
"Yes, and an unusual woman. She has contributed liberally to our
cause. I would like you to meet her."
"Very well; but I've only one suit of clothes, and it looks as if
I'd slept in it."
"Oh, bother the clothes!" laughed the physician. "I've given most
of mine to my destitute countrymen. Don't expect too much to eat,
either; every extra dollar, you know, goes the same way as my
extra trousers.
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