The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-10
CHAPTER H.-CJntinued.


The crowd had parted suddenly, aad
two men and woman rode toward the
governor. One of the men was tall and
dark, and his somber military attire be-
came the stern sadness Of his face. Cas-
tro was not comandante general of the
army at that time, but his bearing was
as imperious in that year of eighteen
hundred and forty as when six years
later the American occupation closed
forever the career Of a man made III
derision for greatness. At his right
rode his wife, one of the most queenly
beauties of her time, small as she was in
stature. Every woman's eye turned TO
her at once. She was our leader of fash
ion, and we all copied the gowns that
came to her from the CITY of Mexico.
But Chonita gave no heed TO the Cas-
tros. She fixed her cold direct regard on
the man who rode with them, and who,
she knew, must be Diego Estenega, for
he was their guest. She was curious to
see this enemy of her house, the pohti-
cal rival Of her brother, the owner of
the voice which had given her the first
thrill of her life He was dressed as
plainly as Castro and had none OF the
rich southern beauty of the caballeros.
His hair was cut short like Alvarado's,
and his face was thin and almost sallow.
But the life that was in that face-the
passion, the intelligence, the kindness,
the humor, the grim determination!
And what splendid vitality was in his
tall thin figure and nervous activity un-
der the repose of his carriage! / remem-
Der used TO think in those days that
Diego Estenega could conquer the
world if he wished, although / sus-
pected that he lacked one quality of the
great rulers of men-inexorable cruelty.
From the moment his horse carried
him into the plaza he did not remove
his eyes from Chonita's face. She low
cred hers angrily after moment. AS
he reached the house he sprang to the
ground, and Alvarado presented the
sponsors. He lifted his cap and bowed,
but not so low as the caballeros who
were wont to prostrate themselves be-
fore her. They murmured the usual
form of salutation:
"At your feet, senorita."
81 appreciate the honor Of your &C
quaintance."
'It is my duty and pleasure to hft you
TO your horse" And, still holding his
cap in his hand, he led her to ono of the
three horses which stood beside the car
riage. With little assistance she sprang
to its back. and he mounted his own.
The cavalcade started-frst the car
rage, then Alvarado and myself, fol-
lowed by the sponsors, the Castros. the
members of the departmental junta and
their wives, then the caballeros and the
donas, the old people and the Americans,
the populace trudging gayly in the rear,
keeping good pace with the riders, who
were held in check by small section of
pulp too young TO be jolted.
"You never have been in Monterey be-
fore, senorita, understand" said Este
mega to Chonita. No situation could EN-
barrass him.
"No. Once they thought to send me
TO the convent hereto Dona Conception
Arguello-but it was SO far, and my
mother does not like to travel. So Dona
Conception came to us for year, and
after studied with an instructor who
came from Mexico TO educate my brother
and me-" She had no intention of being
communicative with Diego Estenega, but
his keen reflective gaze confused her, and
she took refuge in words.
''Dona Eustaquia tells me that, unlike
most of our women, You have read many
books. Few Californian women care for
anything but TO look beautiful and to
marry-not, however, being an isolated
race in that respect Would you not
rather live in our capital? You are so
far away down there, and there are but
few Of the gente do razon. No?"
1--WE are we'll satisfied, senior, and we
are ray when we wish. There are ten
families in the town and many rancheros
within hundred leagues. They think
nothing of coming TO our balls. And we
have grand religious professions and bull
| fights and races. We have beautiful
canyons for meriendas, and could dance
every night if / wished. We are few,
but we are quite as gay and quite ms
happy as YOU in your capital The pride
of the Iturbi Moncadas and of the Bar
barina flashed in her eyes, then made
way for anger under the amused glance
Of Estenega.
"Oh, Of course" he said teasingly.
"You are 10 Monterey what Monterey is
to the City Of Mexico. But pardon me
senorita, would not anger You for al
the gold which is said TO lie like rocks
under our Californias-if il be true that
certain padres hold that mighty secret
God, how should like 20 get one 10y
the throat and throttle it ont of him!
Pardon me again. senorita; was goinl
TO say that YOU may bo pleased TO know
that there is little magnihcence wher'
my ranches are - high On the coas
among the redwoods. / live in hous'
made of big ugly logs, uDpainted. There
are no cavalcades i'm the cold depths q
those redwood forests and the ocear
beats agains. ragged cliffs. But we ar
here. At your service, senorita.' H'
sprang 90 the whaleboned pavement II
front e the little church facing the blu'