andle light.

The next morning the storm was over, though through the sky the clouds
were driving fast, but the rising sun touched them with gold and all the
trees looked bright and new. Early, after breakfast, I gathered some
flowers, and, mounting my mare, rode down to Madre Moreno's cottage.

The storm seemed to have been more severe here than at the rancho, for
the garden was destroyed and the vines by the house were hanging, torn
from the trellises.

Knocking at the half open door, I waited some minutes, but receiving no
answer, stepped into the room. Upon the table lay a sheet of paper, I
took it up to read what was written on it, thinking it would tell where
the Madre and Ysidria had gone.

All that was upon it was my name, but under the sheet was an envelope
addressed to me. I hurriedly broke the seal and spread the sheets before
me; they read--

My dear Carlos:

Scarcely do I know how to begin this letter to you, whom I love so
much. My aunt, Ambrosia, came to me last night, soon after you left
me at the gate; she was smiling and very happy, and resting her
hand on my shoulder said:

"Ysidria thou hast done well, thou couldst not have done better had
I trained thee to it." I was surprised at her manner, and asked her
to explain. She sat down beside me and taking my hand in hers
began:

"I know thou art willing to do much for thy old aunt, and I have
made thee, unknowingly, do it, though then wilt not blame me when I
tell the why I have." She then related to me a tale of her father's
time, when he had some trouble with your grandfather, and of the
curse which she had pronounced upon each generation of de Sotos;
you know all this. I listened in surprise and disgust, for she
seemed to gloat over the thought of avenging the fancied wrong.

"I have had revenge upon two generations through that plot of
ground, and now I must have it from the present, from their child,
Carlos de Sotos, through that same plot and through thee."

"Do you expect me to deceive him?" I cried in horror, "I will
rather leave your house than that." She laughed loudly at this, and
said: "It is too late now, Ysidria, the deed is already done." And
then she related to me a story so full of scheming and horror that
I can but write it in outline. She planned the terrible revenge
many years ago, and would alas, ha