The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-12-31

for the breakers. He got ashore after havin'
been knocked down and dragged in four times
by the undertow. He had only one idea then--
thankfulness that he had not taken the baby
with him in the surf. You kin put that down
for him; it's a fact He got of into the hills.
and made his way up to Monterey"
And the child ?" asked the Padre. with a
sudden and strange asperity that BODIED no
good TO the penitent; the child thus ruthless
ly abandonedAwhat became of IT."
That's just It. the child" assented the
stranger gravely. well. II that man was on
his deathbed instead Of being here talking to
you. he'd swear that he thought the Cap'en
was sure to como up to It the next mint. That's
a fact. But 1t wasn't until one day that he
that's me-ran across one OF that crew in
Frisco. Halo. Cranch. seq he to me. so you
got away. didn't your And how's the Oap'ens
baby2 Grown young gal by this time. amt
she p What are you talking about SEE Il;
how should known He draws away from me-
and SEE. D. it, seq he. you don't mean that
you grabs him by the throat and
makes him tell me all And then 1t appears
that the boat and the baby were never found
again. and every man Of that crew. Cap'en and
all believed had stolen it,
He paused. Father Pedro was staring at tho
prospect with an uncompromising rigidity Of
head and shoulder.
It's bad look out for me. amt ~ tho
stranger continued. in serious reflection.
" How do know" said the priest harshly.
without turning his head. that you did not
make away with this child?"
" Beg pardon"
That You did not complete your revenge by
| -by-by killing it-as your comrades sus-
pected your All! Holy Trinity" continued
Father Pedro. throwing out his hands with an
impatient gesture. as II to take tho place OF I'M
utterable thought.
How do you know9" echoed the stranger
coldy
Yes"
| The stranger linked his fingers together. and
threw them over his knee. drew it UP to his
chest caressingly and said quietly. Because
| you do know"
The Padre rose to his feet
What mean you ?" he said. sternly fixing his
eyes upon the speaker. Their eyes met. The
strangers were gray and persistent. with
hanging corner lids that might have concealed
even more purpose than they showed. The
PADRES were hollow, open. and the whites
slightly brown. as II with tobacco stains. Yet
they were the first to turn away.
Il mean" returned the stranger. with the
same practical gravity. that you know it
wouldn't pay mo to come here. il I'd killed the
baby. unless I wanted you to AK things right
with me up there" pointing skywards. and
get absoution. and I've told you that wasn't
| in my line"
why DO you seek me. then 2" demanded the
Padre. suspiciously.
Because reckon thought man might be
allowed to confess something short OF u muir
der. II you're going to draw the line below
that"
This is but sacrilesious levity," interrupted
Father Pedro. turning as II to go. But the
stranger did not make any movement to detain
him.
Have you implored forgiveness OF the father
the man you wronged-beiore you came
here? ?" asked the priest lingering.
Not much. 1t wouldn't pay II he was liv-
ing and he died four years ago"
You are sure OF that? ?"
lam"
There are other relations. perhaps?"
None"
Father Pedro was silent. When he spoke
again it was in changed voice. What is
your purpose. them" he asked. with the first
| indication OF priestiy sympathy in his manner.
You cannot ask forgiveness OF the earthly
father you have injured. you refuse the inter
cession OF Holy Clutch with the heavenly
Father you have disobeyed. Speak. wretched
man. What Is it YOU want ?"
II want to find the child"
Dut III IL were pOsSloe, II sue WeTo Bull llV-
ing. are you At to seek her. to oven make your
selfknown to her. to appear before herr"
Well. il l made 1t profitable to her perhaps. -
Perhaps" echoed the priest. scornfully.
- SO be 1t. But whycome'here ?"
To ask your advice. To know how to begin
my search. You know this country. You were
here when that boat drifted ashore beyond
that mountain"
All indeed. have much to do with it. 1t
is an affair of the Alcalde-the authorities-ol
your-your police"
rs it?"
The Padre again met the strangers eyes. He
stopped with the snuff box he had somewhat
osten tatiously drawn from his pocket still open
in his hand.
| why is it not. senior ?" he demanded.
II she lives she Is young lady by this time
and might not want the details OF her life known
to any one"
And how will you recognize your baby in
this young LADY," asked Father Pedro. with a
rapid gesture. indicating the comparative
heights Of baby and an adult.
Il reckon III know her, and her clothes too
and whoever found her wouldn't be fool enough
to destroy them.''
After fourteen years! Good! You have
faith. Sehor-"
"Cranch" supplied the stranger. consulting
ness Good-by; don't let me keep YOU"
/ He extended his hand.
The Padre met it with a dry. unsympathetic
palm. as sere and yellow as the hills When
their hands separated. the father still hest
tated. looking at Cranch. II he expected fur
Their speech or entreaty from him he was mis-
taken. for the American. without turning his
head, walked in the same serious. practical
fashion down the avenue Of fig trees and dis
appeared beyond the hedge OF vines The out
lines OF the mountain beyond were already lost
In the fog. Father Pedro turned into the re-
fectory.
Antonio"
A strong flavor Of leather. onions, and stable
| preceded the entrance OF a short stout udQuero
from the little patio.
Saddle Pinto and thine own mule to accom-
pany Francisco. who will take letters from me
to the Father Superior at San jose to- morrow
at daybreak."
AT daybreak. reverend father?"
AT daybreak Hark ye. 30 by the mountain
trails and avoid the highway. Stop ut no