The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-18
THE CATHEDRAL TREAS
 LIRE.

| The old cathedral-like most Span ish churches--is almost in the centei of the town. But the grey. weather beaten walls of this one are rendered | doubly imposing by the hill which gives them greater height. There the church has stood for more than three centuries, the witness of many | bloody struggle. It saw the successors of cortez pass through the valley on their way to the gold fields of the north: 1t looked down on fierce hat ties between the Spanish adventurers and the natives; 1t saw the peaceful farmers massacred by raiding Indians and was itself spattered with blood in the uprising for independence; next the Texans and then the victorious Americans seized it and for time 1t was the refuge of Maxlmillians ill., fated followers. Again blood spotted it's walls in a war for independence. Many time during these centuries had the holy fathers in whose care it was. been forced to flee for their lives. Many a time had they taken refuge in the nearby mountains and left the sanctuary to be desecrated by warning men. But during all those centuries, during all those blood stained years. the treasures of the church had been kept safe. The golden candle-sticks and censers. the chalices. all the ves- sells. of the altar-priceless both from association and workmanshtp--had never been allowed to fall into the hands of the footing armies.
 Now those treasures are gone. The altars have been stripped and the sanctuary despoiled. Cheap vessels re- place the golden ones and jewels no longer flash from the vestments Of the priests.
 What became of them? It is useless to ask the fathers. Their lips are sealed. It is useless to search the ar- chives for no record tells the tale.
 #
 Vespers were over. In a grove on the bank of the river, just below the town a man was restlessly pacing to and fro. A cloak thrown over his shoulders half hid his face and broad-brimmed hat pulled over his eyes would have made recognition impossible had not his impatience betrayed him. As he watched, woman came toward him. The 1.-the sinuousness of her form showed she was young and the moons rays fell upon a face which no one could pass unnoticed. The boise of the head, the dark olive complexion. the glossy hair gracefully arranged, all combined to intensity the beauty of the features. But for the expression Of the lips and the light that shone in the eyes the face could nave been the mod el for a goddess. Those made 1t that of a Phryne.
 AS she neared the grove the man with outstretched arms ran to meet her. His cloak thrown to one side, re- yealed the sombre garb of a priest.
 Here at last, Pepita,' he breathed, as he drew her to him. "The minutes seemed hours as waited, but now you are here the hours will seem like mtn- utes."
 There can be no hours tonight" an- swered the young woman. NO, came only to gay adois."
 A passionate glance contradicted her words and with kiss she silenced the young mans protests.
 Yes. we must part" she continued, as she drew his head to her. What would people say if they knew Father Pedro met me here. They would stone us both from the city. They would kill us, I have no wish to do. Life Is too good. But we cannot meet like this any more. Even now some women be- gin to suspect. In little while they will discover our secret. For our own Safety we must see each other no more."
 But can't leave you. Pepita. You don't know what you are to me. You are more than @ woman, more than Q wife. You are the ideal of which used to dream. can't give you up. can't"
 "But you must. Pedro. dear" an- swered Pepita. What future can there be for either of us. We must sacrifice our love, even if 1t wrecks our lives. How can Father Pedro of the Cathe- dral and Pepita have anything in com mon. Why, I could not be your house. keeper if you lived alone in the par ish. For your sake, dear. I will give you up. I can leave you now and go away. What becomes of me doesn't matter. But you must go on as a priest. It is too late for you to turn back"
 Placing her hands on his temples she drew his face close to her own. Her eyes looked into his and all the passion of hell blazed from them.
 'I tell you I will not leave you. Pe- pita." answered the priest as he drew her to him. T will not give you up. would rather die. We will go away from here. We--'
 What! And would you abjure your vows for the love of woman?"
 Wednesday, BILL AND THE PIES