Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1893-06-17

drclD her back.
light, monotonous voice. She sat on the
edge of a chair, her solemn eyes fixed on
painting of Reinaldo which hung on the
wall Dona Trinidad was sewing as
usual and dressed as simply as if she
looked to her daughter 20 maintain the
state of the Itur5i y Moncadas. Above
a black silk skirt she wore black
shawl, one end thrown over her shoul-
der About her head was close black
silk turb2n, concealing, with the excep-
ton Of two soft gray locks on either side
of her face, what little hair she may
still have possessed. Fer white facewas
delicately cut: the lines of time indicated
spiritual sweetness rather than strength.
Chonita roved between the sala and an
adjoining room where four Indian girls
embroidered the yellow poppies on the
white satin. was reading one of her
books-the ''Vicar of Wakefield"
wilt thou be glad to see Reinaldo.
my Prudencia? asked Don Guillermo as
the song finished.
"AyeI' and the girl blushed.
Thou wouldst make a good wife for
Reinaldo, and it is well that he marry.
1t is true that he has a gay spirit and
loves company, but you shall live here
in this house, and if he is not a devoted
husband he shall have no money to
spend. 1t is time he became a married
man and learned that life was not made
for dancing and flirting; then, too. would
his restless spirit get him into fewer
broils. have heard him speak twice of
no other woman except Valencia Menen-
dez. and ! would not have her for a
daughter. and think he loves thee"
'Surer' said Dona Trinidad,
"That is love, suppose said Choni-
ia. leaning back in her chair and forget
ting the poppies. with her placid.
contented hope, with him a calm prefer
ence for malleable woman. Ii he left
her for another she would cry for a
week, then serenely marry whom my
father bade her, and forget Reinaldo in
the donas of the bridegroom. The birds
do almost as well.
Don Guillermo smiled indulgently.
Prudencia did not know whether to cry
or not. Dona Trinidad, who never
thought of replying to her daughter. said:
"Chonita mia Liseta and Tomaso wish
to marry, and thy father will give them
the little house by the creek"
"Yes. mamacita," said Chonita alb
sently. She felt no interest i'll the loves
of the Indians.
I'VE have new father in the mis-
sion," continued her mother, remember
ing that she had not acquainted her
daughter with all the important events
of her absence. And Don Rafael
Guzman's son was drafted. That was a
Judgment for not marrying when his
father bade him. For that | shall be
glad to have Reinaldo marry. would
not have him go to the war to be killed >
NO" said Don Guillermo. He must
be diputado to Mexico. | would not
lose my only son in battle. | am am
bilious for him. and so art thou. Chonita
for thy brother. Is it not so?"
Eyes: have it in me to stab the heart
of any man who rolls "a stone in his
way"
My daughter" said Don Guillermo,
with the accent of duty rather than Of
reproof, thou must love without venge-
ance. Support thy brother, but harm
not his enemy, would not have thee
hate even an Estenega, although | can
not love them myself. But we will not
talk of the Estenegas Dost thou realize
that our Reinaldo will be with us this
night? We must all go to confession to-
morrow-thy mother and myself, Eusta-
quia, Reinaldo. Prudencia and thyself ="
Chonitas face became rigid. Il can
not go to confession" she said. may
be months before can-perhaps never. y
"WhatY
"Can one go to confession with hat
ing and an unforgiving heart? Aye. that
never had gone to Monterey! AT least
had the consolation of my religion be-
fore. Now fight the darkness by my
self. Do not ask me questions, for
shall not answer them. But taunt me
| no more with confession"