der: any person might voice his opinion;
and the final verdict was left to the people.

In a shaking voice, his frame tremulous with nervous agitation,
Rosendo recounted the birth of the child at Badillo, and the manner of
her coming into his family. He told of Diego's appointment to Simiti,
and of the loss of his own daughter. Waxing more and more energetic as
his recital drew out, he denounced Diego as the prince of liars, and
as worthy of the violent end which he was certain to meet if ever that
renegade priest should venture near enough for him to lay his hands
upon him. The little locket was produced, and all present commented on
the probable identity of the girl's parents. Many affected to detect a
resemblance to Diego in the blurred photograph of the man. Others
scouted the idea. Don Mario swore loudly that it could be no other.
Diego had often talked to him, sorrowfully, and in terms of deepest
affection, about the beautiful woman whose love he had won, but whom
his vows of celibacy prevented from making his lawful wife. The
Alcalde's recital was dramatic to a degree, and at its close several
excitedly attempted to address the multitude at the same time.

Oratory flowed on an ever rising tide, accompanied by much violent
gesticulation and expectoration by way of emphasis. At length it was
agreed that Diego had been, in times past, a bad man, but that the
verbal proofs which he had given the Alcalde were undoubtedly valid,
inasmuch as the Bishop stood behind them--and Don Mario assured the
people that they were most certainly vouched for by His Grace. The day
was almost carried when the eloquent Alcalde, in glowing rhetoric,
painted the splendid future awaiting the girl, under the patronage of
the Bishop. How cruel to retain her in dreary little Simiti, even
though Diego's claim still remained somewhat obscure, when His Grace,
learning of her talents, had summoned her to Cartagena to be educated
in the convent for a glorious future of service to God! Ah, that a
like beautiful career awaited all the children of Simiti!

Jose at length forced himself before the people and begged them to
listen to him. But, when he opened his mouth, the words stumbled and
halted. For what had he to say? To tell these people that he was
striving to educate the girl away from them was impossible. To say
that he was trying to save her from the Church would be fatal. And to
reiterate that Diego's claim was a fabrication, added nothing