Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-28
CHAPTER ".

CHAPTER ~.
1t must not be supposed that IN the
mean time the flight of Don Jose and his
follower was unattended by any commo-
ton at the rancho of the Blessed limo
cents. At the end of three hours delibe-
ration, in which the retainers were sew
orally examined, the corral searched,
and the we'll in the courtyard sounded,
scouts were dispatched III different
directions, who returned with the sur
prising information that the fugitives
were not in the vicinity. A trustworthy
messenger was sent to Monterey
for custum-house paper" on which
to draw up formal declaration
of the affair. The Archbishop was
summoned from San Luis, Don Vic
tor and, don Vincente Sepulyida, with
the Donas Carmen and lnez Alvarado,
and former alealile of San Jose, gather
| ed at a family council the next day. In
this serious cOnclave the good Father
Felipe once more expounded the alien
ated condition and the dangerous reading
OF the absent man. In the midst OF which
the ordinary post brought letter from
Don Jose, calmly inviting the family to
dine with him and Roberto at San Mateo
on the following Wednesday. The docu-
ment was passed grayely from hand to
hand. Was it fresh evidence of mental
aberration-an audacity of frenzy--or a
trick OF the yaquero? The Archbishop
and Alcalde shook their heads-it was
without doubt lawless-even a sacrili-
gious and blasphemous tete. But GER
tain curiosity of the ladies and of Father
Felipe carried the day. Without formal
ly accepting the invitation, it was decided
that the family should examine the
afflicted man with view Of taking active
measures hereafter. On the day APP
pointed, the travelling carriage of the
Sepulvidas, an equipage coeval with the
century. drawn by two white mules
gaudily comparisoned, halted before the
hotel at San Mateo and disgorged Father
| Felipe and Donas Carmen and Inez
Alvaredo and Maria Sepulvida, while
Don Victor aud Don Vincente Sepulvida,
their attendant cavaliers on fiery mus
tangs, like outriders, drew rein at the
same time. A slight thrill of excite
ment as Of the advent OF possible cir
Gus, had preceded them through the
little town, a faint blending of cigarette
smoke and garlic announced their
presence on the veranda.
Ushered into the parlor of the hotel,
apparently set apart for their reception.
they were embarrassed at not finding
their host present But they were still
more disconnected when a tall, full
bearded stranger with q shrewd, amused
looking face, rose from chair by the
window, aud stepping forward saluted
them in fluent Spanish. with slight
American accent.
{" i have TO ask you, gentlemen and
ladies, be began, with certain insiru-
ating ease and irankness that alternately
aroused aud iulled their suspicious, "to
pardon the absence OF our friend Don
Jose Sepulvids, at this preliminary
greeting. For to be perfectly frank
with you, although the ultimate aim and
object OF our gathering is social one,
you are doubtless aware that certain in
felicities and misunderstanding COM
mon 10 most families-haye occurred.
and = free dispassionate, unprejudiced
discussion and disposal OF them at the
beginning will only tend 10 augment the
good will OF our gathering"
"The Senior without doubt is" sug-
gested the Padre with apclite interoga-
| tive pause.
"Pardon mel / forgot TO introduce