s."

The good woman was surprised at the question, but could add nothing to
what Rosendo had already told him. He asked to see again the locket.
Alas! study it as he might, the portrait of the man was wholly
indistinguishable. The sweet, sad face of the young mother looked out
from its frame like a suffering. Magdalen. In it he thought he saw a
resemblance to Carmen. As for Diego, the child certainly did not
resemble him in the least. But years of dissipation and evil doubtless
had wrought their changes in his features.

He looked around for Carmen. She had disappeared. He rose and searched
through the house for her. Dona Maria, busy in the kitchen, had not
seen her leave. His search futile, he returned with heavy heart to his
own house and sat down to think. Mechanically he opened his Bible.

_When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee._ Not "if,"
but "when." The sharp experiences of human existence are not to be
avoided. But in their very midst the Christ-principle is available to
the faithful searcher and worker.

Dona Maria came with the midday meal. Carmen had not returned. Jose,
alarmed beyond measure, prepared to set out in search of her. But at
that moment one of Diego's _peones_ appeared at the door with his
master's request that the child be sent at once to him. At least,
then, she was not in his hands; and Jose breathed more freely. It
seemed to him that, should he see her in Diego's arms, he must
certainly strangle him. He shuddered at the thought. Only a few
minutes before he had threatened to kill him!

He left his food untasted. Unspeakably wearied with his incessant
mental battle, he threw himself again upon his bed, and at length sank
into a deep sleep.

The shadows were gathering when he awoke with a start. He heard a call
from the street. Leaping from the bed, he hastened to the door, just
as Rosendo, swaying beneath his pack, and accompanied by Lazaro Ortiz,
rounded the corner and made toward him.

_"Hola, amigo Cura!"_ Rosendo shouted, his face radiant. "Come and bid
me welcome, and receive good news!"

At the same moment Carmen came flying toward them from the direction
of the shales. Jose instantly divined the motive which had sent her
out there. He turned his face to hide the tears which sprang to his
eyes.

"Thank God!" he murmured in a choking voice. Then he hastened to his
faithful ally and clasped him in his arms.

CHAPTER 16

Struggling vainly with his a