Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-05-13


 white hair, showing beautiful in the moonlight. God rest her soul! She hath lovely face and died in defense of her honor like the gentlewoman she should be. My mother. How know you this?
 Tn the sack of Panama a woman gave me male child. and for money I agreed to | and leave 1t in a safe and scci vL spot outside the city walls. carried it at the hazard of my life as far as Cuchillo and there left it." But how know you that the child you left is I?"
 Around the baby's neck the mother. ere she gave him to me, placed this curious cross you wear. 'Tis of such cunning workmanship that there is naught like it under the sun that ever I have seen. knew it even in, the faint light when my eyes fell upon it. I left the child with peasant woman to take him where I had been directed. I believed him safe. On leaving Pana- ma that village lay in our backward path. We burned it down. saw the baby again. Because I had been well paid I saved him from instant death at the hands of the buccaneers, who would have tossed him in the air on the point of their spears. I showed the crucifix, which would have tempted them because it was silver, underneath the dress and left the child. He was alive when we departed"
 And the day after" cried Alvara- do. De Lara's troops came through that village and found me still wearing that cross! My mother! Loving God, can it be? But my father
 What shall I have if tell you?"
 Riches, wealth. all. Set us free and''-
 Not now. cannot now. Wait"
 At least, Donna Mercedes"
 Man. 'twould be my life that would pay. But I'll keep careful watch over her. I have yet some influence with the captain. Tomorrow III find way to free you. You must do the rest"
 Mercedes said Alvarado, 'heardst thou all?"
 But little" answered the girl.
 That lady is believed to have been my mother!'
 Gentle or simple" said the girl, "she died in defense of her honor. like the poblest, the best This for thee, good sister," she whispered, bending down and kissing the pale forehead. And may I do the like when my time comes. Thou shouldst be proud of her, my AL varado,' she said, looking up at him. ''See.' she cried suddenly as the re- semi blance. which was indeed strong between them. struck her. Thou hast her face Her white hair was once golden like thine He tells the truth. Oh. sir, have pity upon us!"
 A messenger came staggering to- ward them across the woods.
 "Master -iornigold," he cried.
 "Aye. aye"
 We've taken the town. The cap tain wants you and your prisoners. You'll find him in the guardroorp."
 "we must be gone" said Hornigold Rise. mistress. Come. sir"
 But this lady, urged Alvarado-his lips could scarcely form the unfamiliar word mother the good priest1 You will not leave them here?"
 "The rising tide will bear them out to sea" .: qs;ss.1 - l.,it';; -t-
 "A moment. by your leave" said Alvarado. stepping toward the dead. Assisted by Mercedes. for he was still bound, he stopped down and touched his lips to those of the dead woman. whispering prayer as he did so. Ris ing to his feet, he cried:
 But my father! Who is he? Who was heT'
 eve shall find that out"
 "But his name?'
 "I'm not sure: I cannot tell now" answered Hornigold evasively. but with this clew the rest should be easy. Trust me, and when we can discuss this matter undisturbed"-
 But would know now"
 You forget. young sir. that you are a prisoner and must suit your will to my pleasure. Forwardr'
 But the soul of the old buccaneer was filled with fierce joy. He thought he knew the secret of the cruclfix now. The Spanish captains mother lay dead upon the sands. but his father lived. He was sure of it. He would free Alvarado and bring him down up- on Morgan. He chuckled with fiend- ish delight as he limped along. He had his revenge now; it lay in the hol- low of his hand. and twas rare one indeed. Mercedes being bound again. the little party marched across the beach. and the bodies of the priest and the nun were left alone while the night tide came rippling up the strand.
 Scarcely had the party disappeared within the gate of the fort when the priest slowly and painfully lifted him self on h.s hands and crawled toward the woman. While the buccaneer had talked with the abbess he had returned to consciousness and had listened. Bit by bit he gathered the details of her story. and. in truth, he knew it of old. By turning his head he had seen the crucifix on the young mans breast. and he also had recognized it. He lay still and silent, however. feigning death. for to have discovered himself would have resulted in his instant dispatch. When they had gone he pain fully crawled over to the body of the poor nun
 Isabella" he murmured. giving her her birth name. thou didst suffer.