Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-05-22
The priest sssasd hinsek oa . aool

spared, as to what were best to do with him, and advised Cuchillo. but his child died with its mother before 1t could be taken away.
 Isabella de 0uxman was i'll. l deemed 1t wise to send her infant away. I urged her to substitute her child for the dead body of the other. intending to provide for its reception at Cuchillo, and she gave her child to the sailor In the confusion and ter Por it must have been abandoned by the woman to whom it was delivered: she, it was supposed. perished when the buccaneers destroyed the place out of sheer wAntonness when they sleft PanaAa. fell sick of the fever short ly after and knew not what happened. The poor mother was too seriously i'll to do anything. It was months ere we recovered and could make inquiries for the child. ana then 1t had disappeared. and we found Ao trace of 1t. You. sir, l" pointing to HoNNigold, had gone away with the rest. There was none to tell us anything. We never heard of fl again and supposed 1t dead"
 And my child, sf. priestT cried Morgan. What became of it!'
 T buried 1t in the same grave with its poor mother, with the cross on its breast. May God have mercy en their souls.'
 "A pretty tale, indeedw sneered es buccAneer.
 "It accounts In some measure foa the situation" said the viceroy, but l must have further proof.v
 Patience, noble sir, and you shall have 1t. These crosses were of cun- ming construction. They open to those who know the secret. There is room in : each for | small writing. Each maid. en, so they told me. put within hss ossn cross her marriage lines. If this cross hath not been tempered with 1t should bear within It's recess the attestation of tha wedding of Francisco de Gu1 man and Isabella Zere9A"
 The cross hath never left my per- son." said Alvarado. since I can rs- member"
 And I can bear testimony" said the viceroy, that he hath worn it con stantly since child. Though it was large and heavy. had a superstition that it should never leave his person. Know you the secret of the crossr'
 T do, for 1t was shown me by the woman herself"
 Step nearer. Aivarado," said De Lara.
 Nay. sir" said the aged priest a Alvarado came nearer him and made to take the cross from his breast: thou hast worn 1t ever there. Wear 1t to the end. can open it as thou standest"
 He reached up to the carven cross depending from the breast of the young man bending over him.
 "A pretty storyr' sneered Morgan again. But had aught to wager I'd offer 1t with heavy odds that that cross holds the marriage lines of my wife"
 Thou wouldst lose. sir, for see, gen tIemen,- cried the priest. manipulating the crucinx with his long. slender in- gers and finally opening it. 'the open ing. And here Is a bit of parchment! Read 1t, sir
 He handed it to the viceroy. The old noble. lifting it to the light. scan ned the closely written. faded lines on the tiny scrap of delicate parchment
 Iris a certificate of marriage or He paused.
 Maria Zerega.- said Morgan trium- phantly.
 Nay" answered the old man--and his triumph rang ia his voice-"of Isa- bella Zerega and Francisco de Guz- man and signed by Fra-An-tonio. Was it thouT'
 Even %. sir. I married the mother. as I buried her yestereve upon the sand
 "'Tis . fact establisbed-- said the viceroy. satisfied at last Don Fran- cisco de Guzmsn-Aivsrado that was- thy birth and legitimacy are clear and undoubted There by your side stands the woman you have loved If you wish her nov shah be bonored to call you ny son
 My lord- snswered Alvarado. that am he son of sn honorable gentle man were Joy enoueh- hut vben tbou rivest ne Donna Mercedes- He turned. and with lov cry the rfrI ned so bis arms. He drew her ciose
 Ny fsahsi NJ sabsis dH2