, on being opened, contained a
silver casket, richly chased and of an antique design.

Years had elapsed since he last looked upon it, and he regarded it
curiously for some moments as he held it in his hands. Then setting it
down upon the desk, he turned the small key which unlocked it and raised
the lid, disclosing its contents, which consisted of a fan, a bracelet
of six strands of large pearls with a diamond clasp in the shape of a
crown, and a long, magnificent necklace of still larger pearls, also
composed of six strands, like the bracelet, and a large diamond slide
also in the shape of a crown. The fan was one of those exquisite,
daintily hand-painted French creations of ivory, lace and vellum of a
century gone by. On one of the outer ribs was also a small diamond crown
and on the other was traced a name in letters of gold. A delicate
fragrance like that of withered rose leaves escaped the casket, and, as
he silently contemplated its contents, his gaze fell upon the name on
the fan--Chiquita Pia Maria Roxan Concepcion Salvatore--the name was
much longer, but his eyes dimmed--he could read no further.

Instinctively he raised the casket with both hands and was in the act of
pressing his lips to its contents, when he caught sight of a crucifix on
the desk in front of him, causing him to pause, cross himself reverently
and lower the casket again.

[Illustration: "Instinctively he raised the casket with both hands."]

Who was Padre Antonio? Involuntarily his thoughts traveled back over the
stream of years when, as a youth of twenty, he bade farewell to old
Spain forever and with a heavy heart set forth alone to find God and
peace in the wilderness of the new world. Fifty years had passed since
then and with them, the secret and tragedy of his life lay buried.

He heaved a deep sigh and, picking up the casket, turned toward the
door. Chiquita listened to the sound of his footsteps as he slowly
descended the stairs, and gazed in wonderment at the casket he held in
his hand when he reentered the room. Without a word, he deposited it
upon the table in the center of the room and, raising the lid, displayed
its contents to the dazzled eyes of his ward. Never had she beheld such
wonderful jewels--what did it mean?

"Padre _mio_!" she gasped, her eyes wandering questioningly from the
casket to his face, which appeared a little paler than when he left the
room but a few minutes before.

"I never imagined that another wo