The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-03-21

the sailor. In the confusion and ter
ror il 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 sieer: wartonness when they left
Panama. | fell sick Of the fever short
" after and knew not what happened.
The poor mother was too seriously i'll
to do anything. 1t was months ere we
recovered and could make inquiries for
the child, and then it had disappeared,
and we found no trace Of it. You, sir,
pointing to Hornigold, had gone away
with the rest. There was none to tell
us anything. We never heard of it
again and supposed it dead
"And my child, sir priest?' cried
Morgan. What became of it,"
81 buried it in the same grave with
it's poor mother, with the cross on its
breast. May God have mercy on their
soulsp'
"a pretty tale, indeedv' sneered the
buccaneer.
"It accounts in some measure for
the situation" said the viceroy, "but l
must have further proof"
patience, noble sir, and you shall
have it. These crosses were Of cum
ming construction. They open to those
who know the secret. There is room in
each for q small writing. Each maid
en-, so they told me, put within her own
cross her marriage lines. If this cross
hath not been tampered with it should
bear within it's recess the attestation
of the wedding Of Francisco de Guz-
man and Isabella Zerega-'
sThe cross hath never left my per-
son." said Alvarado, ''since I can re-
member
'.And 1 can bear testimony" said
the viceroy, ''that he hath worn it con-
stantly since a child. Though it was
large and heavy, 1 had superstition
that it should never leave his person.
Know you the secret Of the CROSSE"
81 do,/ for it was shown me by the
woman herself"
'.Step nearer, Alvarado," said De
Lara.
"Nay, sir,' said the aged priest as
Alyarado came nearer him and made
to take the cross from his breast; .3thou
hast worn it ever there. Wear it to the
end. 1 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 storyw sneered Morgan
again. "But had I aught to wager I'd
offer it with heavy odds that that cross
holds the marriage lines Of my wife,"
Thou wouldst lose, sir, for see, gen.
tlemen," cried the priest, manipulating
the crucifx with his long, slender fin
gers and finally opening 1t, 'the open
ing! And here is a bit Of parchment!
Read it, sir"
BE handed it to the yiceroy. The
old noble, lifting it to the light scan
ned the closely written, faded lines on
the tiny scrap Of delicate parchment.
"'Tis a certificate Of marriage off,
He paused.
Maria Zerega," said Morgan trium-
phantly.
sNay," answered the old man-and
his triumph rang in his voice-"of Isa-
bella Zerega and Francisco de Guz-
man and signed by Fra-An-tonlo!
Was it thou?'
even so, sir. married the mother,
as I buried her yestereve upon the
sand"
"'Tis a mct established. said the
viceroy, satisfied at last don Fran
cisco de Guzman-Alvarado that was
thy birth and legitimacy are clear and
undoubted. There by your side stands
the woman you have loved. II you wish
her now shall be honored to call you
my son."
sMy lord" answered Alvarado, chat
am the son Of an honorable gentle
man were Joy enough, but when thou
givest me Donna Mercedes
He turned, and with a low cry the
girl fed to his arms. He drew her close