The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-03-07

[devout thanksgiving,
THAT, for the present at
)Sas safe. He had observed
Wonder and fear that the more
seaons was under his influence the
D1ess her power became to read his
thoughts or foresee his intentions.
This psychological mystery, like
everything else connected with his
Indian wife, served only to increase
his dread and horror OF her; but Tor
the safety of his gold and his life, he
WAS ready to swear thousands osths
of love and fidelity; and so regain all
his power over the Golden Flower.
He quickly explained his purpose, and,
having vowed her to secrecy, hurried
TO the shore to make arrangements Tor
quitting the island.
"It was natural that Anacaona, as
soon as she no longer felt the spell OF
his presence and the influence OF his
voice and touch, should begin to doubt
him; and while assuring her own heart
that she believed and trusted HIM.
Pedro had built store-room for MS
gold and gems in cave at the foot OF
mountains sacred spot where only
he and his wife were permitted to go.
But bolts and bars we're unnecessary.
The sayaees attached no value to gold
or gems, and the fact that they were
intended as offerings to Turey insured
their safety. :,
cit was toward this cave that the
Golden Flower turned her steps when
the doubt OF Pedro forced itself into
her thoughts. She found the gold
and precious stones undisturbed, and
that sight gave her more certainty q
her chiefs return than had all MS
baths of love, sweet though they had
been while she listened to them. 1t
was many long days before Pedro re-
turned, but when he came he was even
more loving than when they parted.
Two Spaniards accompanied him, but
when he told her these men were his
brothers she smiled, for they were
only common sailors; and Pedro was
not displeased by the quick glance of
comparison she flashed from them to
him. She was willing to believe they
had come from the same divine world,
but to say they we're like him-oh-
And her one word of scorn was very
eloquent.
"Mendoza had made all arrange
ments for fight and hsd brought some
bags of leather to hold his gold; the
precious stones, being easier of trans
portation, were to be concealed IN the
garments of little Dolores. For this
purpose he had brought Sailors
housewife containing needles, pins,
strong thread and wax. This simple
outfit of sewing materials was to the
Golden Flower the most wonderful
thing she had yet seen; and had Pedro
possessed it when he first landed on
the island it would have been Of price
less value to him. Anacaona was now
stricken anew with admiration and
awe of her great master while she
watched him use, with all sailors
deftness, these marvellous little sew
ing implements.
"They were seated outside the cave.
at great distance from every one; but
they spoke only in the Indian Ian
guage, for Pedro feared to betray too
much to his Spanish friends who knew
nothing of his gold and precious
stones; and there was great necessity
for secrecy regarding mis- plans so far
as Dolores and Anacaona were con-
nected with them. When he told the
mother that Dolores must 60 first, the
gentle creature was terrified as the
thought of parting, even for day,
from her child; but when he explained
the necessity for sending her ahead
Of them she became calmer; and
Pedro unconsciously took the quickest
way of reassuring her as to the safety
of Dolores-for he was at that moment
sewing up his most precious gems in
the seams of a little dress the child
was to wear. Wheresoever his treas
ures went there also was the heart of
Pedro Mendoza, and he was sure to
follow them.
"'And Dolores will be happy?' she
asked.
"'As the angels-among angels like
herself, he answered, holding up the
little dress with it's skirt Of bright col
ored silk.
"The Indian woman laughed and
clapped her hands with wonder and
delight, while Mendoza explained that
there were children on the ship who
would receive Dolores with love and
honor.
''This was true, for the expedition
had brought families to colonize the
new country, and among them were a
few children. It had also brought
such articles as would be likely to
please the natives, and among them
were afew bright and attractive dresses
for young children 1t was one of
these that Pedro had obtained, with
the instantaneous thought that he
could secure from discovery his preci-'
Gus gems by sewing them up in his
child's garments. AS to their value,
Anacaona only knew that her husband
priced these precious stones as the
light of his eyes; and even to her un-
tutored taste they now looked won
derfully beautiful, for he had managed
to cut and polish some of them, while
others shone from natures polishing
through countless ages.
Mendoza had already tied up his
gold in the leather bags, all of which
were still secreted within the cave;
l. L.