The Washington herald., 1921-06-26
By David A. Piatt

Now she hung upon his reply win Q
wistful eassrness that she alone knew.
But the lips had softened. the eyes held
q more chastened light and her grayins hair
half h-concealed the bullet crease.
whatever It made you, Senors," the
man replied simply, you are beautiful to
me now-you to whom owe my life"
And Q great peace settled over Sonora
Diablo's soul.
my gold, too, must be white" he went
on after q time. 'I know not why you
sought treasure. Few Of do 30 for Its
sake alone, but-your reason Is your own
Here u mine"
He mapped open the case Of his watch
and laid II In her hand.
And then Sonora Diablo knew, for out
Of the gold frame stared with pure, sweet,
wondering eyes the fairest face she had ever
seen. It was of1 young Eirl-she could
not have been more than eighteen-frsmed
IN waving locks and smiling the smile Of
innocence and love.
THAT is my reason, madre milo, {" he said
els she not beautifulf"
Isl. She Ii magnificent, wonderful And
you love her 30 muchf'
benora DlhDlo tone was WlslIul.
"Yes, more than / ever will anything else
in the wide, wide world"
The answer came simply, honestly, and
Sonora Diablo knew that the world must
never know her as his mother.
Then you shall stay here, amigo; you
shall have half FL Orc Blanco. When we
makeAwhst you say, the lucky strike?-
you can 60 far, far away-you and your
beloved-snd be happy always"
but yout"
''Oh, IL am used to this, amigo; and
with the white gold can be happy"
''No; you shall end your days with US,
Sonora" he said.
So it was settled as far as be was con-
eerned. But Sonora DisbIo knew she could
never take q second place in bis heart and
home, never weigh him down in bis youth
and happiness with her never to- be- forgot
ten or forgiven past. No, she would slip
quietly out Of his life. leave him FL Orc
Bl.nco and never let him know he was the
son of the woman the world knew and feared
as Senors Diablo.
This resolve grew day BY day, until one
morning when be was working a new claim
around shoulder Of the mountsin, she
packed her burros and turned her face to-
ward the fsr-away land that lay beyond the
westward ranges.
Az she turned q curve in the trail that
would hide her forever from his view, she
heard his voice, shouting in delirious joy.
A wild hope blazing in her heart, she ran
back up the nountainside.
He stood there before the shack. the
mounting sun slorifying his eager, boyish
face. And in his eyes was the Light that
told Sonora Diablo of the victory be had
won.
He rushed forward and took her in bis
arms.
I'VE have won. msdre milo! We have
won. Come-see!"
He half led, half dragged her down the
slope to the claim.
Look, msdre-look," :" he cried.
Before her stretched a broad ledge Of ore
his willing pick had barred. But the clots
Of metal strewn thickly through the quartz
were strange and paSe of hue.
He was babbling on.
You see, msdre milo, we are rich. And
II is what you have always wanted. Gold!
gold more than either Of US will need az
long as we live!''
But Sonora Disblo's eyes were glued with
strange fascination to the priceless ledge.
Through the first tears that had poured
from her eyes in many years she saw and
realized that her hope had been fulfilled
to the uttermost Of desire.
She sank sobbins into his arms.
Then the joyous sun crept down into the
valley of their dreams come true and haloed
them with q glory that matched the bless
edness and peace that had swept into the
boy, my boyi" Her voice was tremulous
with awe. "It-is-white-gold 90
Gold, soldt," she sobbed. And. oh nv
.pul Of Senora Diablo.