Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-06

MN. Ieit the fmpotent rage OF one who Qrappes
WIN mysteries beyond his ken.
~Rafael,' he said, ''do you remember Fe,icia."
=, me prlest mad motive for asking this ques-
son, motive born that morning, In the perform
ance Oh MS prestly functions. In the solemn shad-
oWs OF the little mission church. Father Neal
was not so bad Car holic that he would betray
good Christian not to turn the knowledge thus
gained 10 practical use In r1gnting the AFFAIRS OF
II he nd expected to surprise his hearer into
any betrayal OF emotion, or 70 arouse him 10 re-
Election, he was disappointed.
"Felicia?" repeated Rafael, DULY; II don't know.
Ya-as."
Since the stroke that Rafael had received, It was
noticeable that, on the few occasions that he In
OF the ignorant class among whom he lived. This
characteristic coupled with his dull, INDIFFERENT
tone, might well have discouraged less resolute
"Felicia" he repeated slowly: ''Felicia, the girl
| you were 10 marry some day. Do you know what
say. She is behind the walls OF the old convent
| ON Easter sunday-Easter Sunday, markl-she
will take the VEIL"
The priest pointed his whip at the old convent
| on the hill beyond them, as he spoke. Rafaers
eyes Travelled mechanically In that direction, and
at the golden rays OF the setting sun, rejected
back from the windows like thousand shattered
JavelinS
"Remember what I say" insisted Father Neal
impressively; ION Easter sunday II nothing
happens before Felicia will be forever lost to you
Santos brother did not appear to notice the
speakers concluding words. The COW, whose
measure OF the passing time was more accurate
than his began TO anticipate the pleasures OF her
evening meal, and pulled imper1ously upon her
rope santos brother arose, and without word or
look for the priest, souched on down the road. fol-
lowing where the COW led.
Day after day, throughout the winter, the same
program was repeated, as 1t had been for many
cow sought the shelter OF line OF friendly pepper
trees and her attendant stayed in their protecting
shadow, grateful for the good judgment OF his
friend
times Climbed high up the steep slopes OF over
hanging hills, ana basked together In the warmth
and sunshine.
Easter sunday dawned clear and bright. All
through the beautiful valley there was 10y and
peace The mission was the scene OF great excite
ment In addition to the customary services,
deep impression upon the minds OF the simple and
credulous peasants who composed the majority OF
portant ceremony. Three young ladies' having
Completed their novttiate In the neighboring
convent, were TO assume the veil which symbol
lied their separation from earthly things Their
was tall Marie, sne whose lover mad been brought
home dead on the Christmas but one gone by, and
VINO had never been known TO smile since; and
pious Matilda, she who had been so stupid and
good from infancy that II had always been said
was destined either for an early grave or the ser
vice OF the church; and Feicia-ah. Feliciai The
village girls breathed her name with a soft sigh
and a look OF wonder. The young men spoke of
here In dwed whispers and with contracted b. Ows.
Little Felicia, who had, but short time ago. been
the life or every party throughout the valley.
Lght-hearted, bthe Felicia, whose laugh had
been Ike the ripple or a mountain brook, and
whose sparkling eyes had wrought havoc with
many an unSchoOled masculine heart. Sprtghtly
Fecia, who was the embodiment vi all the best
they knew In free-hearted, wholesome wOridlineSs;
VINO mad been vain OF her beauty with the lnnO-
cent vanity OF a child; who had been a seeker
after temporal pleasures with an honest selfish
ness that radiated an atmosphere Of happiness
and content wherever she passed. To see her
with the wan, palid lace OF an acolyte, to her
enshrouded IN the faJeful veil, was like having
the grim shadow OF death stalk In among them.
The question OF Ralaers attendance upon divine
service mad been raised In the santos household
that morning.
.shau We not take the poor fellow along? 1t
may please him." suggested the good sister-in-aw.
"But they wouldn't let the COW In the church!"
cried the youngest boy, a bright-eyed lad oil some
seven years; whereaU there was hearty laugh,
and Rafael was left to his customary guardian
snip.
But when the cow and the man went out that
day, the former started for her favorite grazing
place, down the country road. To her surprise the
gentle Quadruped felt stout pull OF resistance
upon the rope, and, turning TO direct look OF in
diSnant reInonstrance upon her Quondam follower,
received smart rap over her back she lowered
her horns and made a threatening thrust at her
reOelllouS subject, who met this demonstration
with such stond indifference that the beast was
whittier he led.
1t did not please Santos or his wife, on arriving
at the church that morning, TO ind this dscredI-
able member or their family with the COW posted
on the green directly opposite the church. Pos
slDly the poor fellow liked the pomp and show as
wei as any OF the children who, dressed In their
best, gayiy climbed the steps OF the Old mission
church with their parents, or, lettering there,
wide-eyed and open-mouthed, gazed at the throngs
which constantly arrived.
II santos brother retained any recollection of
what the priest mad told him In early December,
there was no hint OF 1t In his inert figure and i'm
passive lace. He reclned upon the grass In his
customary listless attitude lying on one side with
his face partly shaded by his uroad-brimmed hat
Cniidren EYED MIN with look OF friendly interest,
as they would have looked on any OF natures phe.
noinenat. Farmers from remote quarters OF the
parish looked curlousy at this lazy idier, who had
not The grace 10 do his workday clothes or be,tir
himself On this, the great 1estal day OF the year
Young men pointed to him, 1eeringly as they
passed, win aDle-ooded manhoods contempt or
the weak or dencient, while young girls murfnlred
SOFT words Of PITY and regret Tor what he had
been
The notes Of an organ and a sudden burst OF
song noated out upon the air. and low toned
monotonous chant told that the service had begun
Inc crowd OF men outside hearKened at the nall
opened doors OF the church. and tired mothers
seated on the steps OF the broad platform before
II, brought out store OF crackers and coOKies 10
quiet restless children
In the midst OF the services one OF the stout
Farmers, moving reStleSsly about the church out
side, raised his head and smiled the air sus
piclously.
PEDRO paisano, smell smokeln he said with
decision, addressing friend.
ION, very like! Some OF the young fellows will
time until the sermon is over. just lei Father
Neal catch themi-is all say"
Inc youLg win oe young. and, after all, what
nartn lies IL the pun OF u cigarrito?" said one OF
the women, In an Apologize Tone with look OF
relef On her face "Dut IL would be terrible 10 nave
a nre IN the CROWDED church, with all the light
dresses and the altar hangings, and my Juanita
and Pepita there?"
"Caramoa! But there is a fire somewhere ~
CALCULATED one OF the men little later
mother OF Godl the Old convent Is on frew
Already there was a great outcry and commo
ZION Within The churcn. Father Meals voice was
heard, raised from the monotonous sipg-song Of
splritual exnortatlon TO the sharp command or one
VINO sees great bodily peril approaching
One oy one, friends! DO not crowd! There is
no danger 10 people in the church. You. Juan
Gomez, and you, Francisco Santos take your stand
one Ny each door, and keep those big brutes from
crushing the women and children CluD rhem
PACK, II needs be. Take time In Passing out NV
friends; there Is no hastev
Having thus admonished his CONGREGATION and
provided for It's safety, Father Neal himself in ar
tng Illustration Of bis words without waiting for
further Ceremony, sprang through one OF the
churcn windows and ran swiftly across the old
graveyard. which lay between the church and the
convent, tearing on his sacred vesCments as he
went thus unconsclously bringing TO light a gayly
elofoiuereo veivet smoAing-J Jacket
IL was plain from the nrst that TO attempt tn
save the old building would be a desperate and
losing hight Sucu disasters were a rare Occurrence
In The little rustic settle nent, and men mad no
means realy with which TO meet them. There
were no hook-and-ladder companies. no hose-carts
no enstnes Breaking out In the lower story the
ar, ha1 seizeo AZ once upon the old wooden stair
way, which formed the sole communication with
tAJ AIR story. al whose windows a score or more
or frightened women appealed In vain for aid
BUCKETS were brought, lines Of men formed and
Win water dipped from a small reservoir In the
rear OF the CONVENT The men fought the consum.
ing element, concentrating their efforts upon the
old staircase, which formed a pathway for the
flames and a drauRuL like a MI fnrnac, -. go