Morris tribune., 1906-01-13

word | wish but to pay my respect to
the woman yonder'
''She gives good counsel, soldier" an
swered the boatswain. ''Cut her lash
ing" he said to the sailor who guarded
them.
AS the buccaneer did so Mercedes
sank on her knees by the side of the
dead woman.
"Now, sir, your name?" asked Horni-
gold again.
"Alvarado."
''Where got you that name?"
1T was given me by his excellency
the viceroy'
s'And wherefore?
There was something so tremendous
In Hornigolds interest that in spite of
himself the young man felt compelled
to answer.
1T was his pleasure
"Had you not a name of your own?''
"None that | know Of"
"What mean you?"
II was found, a baby, outside the
walls of Panama in little village. The
viceroy adopted me and brought me up.
That is all.
''When was this?" asked Hornigold.
"After the sack of Panama. And the
name of the village vas
''Cuchillo" interrupted Hornigold tri-
umphantly.
my God, senior, how know you
that?"
az was there"
"You were there?' cried the young
man.
aye
"For love of heaven, can you tell me
who | am, what | amp"
SIN good time young sir, and for
price At present I know but one
thing"
"That is
'sThere lies your mother" answered
the buccaneer slowly, pointing to the
white figure on the sand.
'My mother!' cried Alvarado, step
ping forward and looking down upon
the upturned face, with it's closely cut
white hair. showing beautiful in the
moonlight. ''God rest her soul! She
OF her honor like the gentlewoman she
should be. My mother! How know you
this?"
SIN the sack Of Panama a woman
gave me male child, and for money
agreed to take it and leave 1t in
safe and secluded spot outside the city
walls. I 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 II"
Around the baby's neck the mother,
ere she gave him to me, placed this
curious cross you wear. IT'S of such
cunning workmanship that there is
naught like it under the sun that ever
I have seen. I knew it even in the
faint light when my eyes fell upon it.
left the child with a peasant woman
to take, him where / had been directed.
believed him safe. On leaving Pana-
ma that village lay in our backward
path. We burned it down. / saw the
baby again. Because | had been well
paid | 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 | 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, Ode 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 have if I 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. / have yet some influence with
the captain. Tomorrow I'll find way
to free you You must do the rest"
Mercedes" said Alvarado, ''heardst
thou all?"
Bat little" answered the girl.
''That lady is believed to have been
my mother!'
Gentle or simple, said the girl, 'SnG |
died in defense of her honor, like the |
noblest, the best. This for thee, good
sister" she whispered, bending down
and kissing the pale forehead. And |
may do the like when my time comes.
Thou shouldst be proud of her, my Al
she said, looking up at him.
''See" she cried suddenly as the re-
semblance. 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 Hornigold.'' he cried.
"Aye, aye"
We've taken the town. The cap