The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-20
cies, he was "a picture TO be thankful for

picturesque in his way as his son His
black silk handkerchief had been knotted
hurriedly abcut his head. and the four
corners hung upon his neck His short
breeches were of red velvet his jacket OF
blue cloth trimmed with large silver
buttons and gold lace; his vest was OF
yellow damask. his linen embroidered.
Attached to his slippers were enormous
silver spurs inlaid with gold. the rowels
so long that they scratched more trains
than one that day.
The bridesmaids stood in a group apart,
large bouquet. each wore "A gown OF "a
different color. Valencia blazed forth
in yellow, and flashed triumphant glances
at Estenega, now and again one OF IRE
pressible envy and resentment at Rel
naldo. Chonita looked like water witch
in pale green covered with lace that
stirred with every breath OF air; her
mantilla was as delicate as sea spray.
About her was something subtle, awak-
ened, restive, that | noticed for the first
time. Once she intercepted one OF Va
lencia's lavish glances. and her own eyes
were extremely wicked and dangerous
for a moment. / looked at Estenega.
He was regarding her with fierce in
tensity which made him oblivious for
the moment of his surroundings.
looked at Valencia. Thunder clouds
were those heavy brows, lowered to the
lightnings which sprang from depths be-
low. | looked again at Chonita. The
pink color was in her marble face; pinker
were her carven lips.
"God of my soulf' i said to Estenega.
$50 home"
my Prudenciaw said Don Guillermo.
He lifted her to the pink saddle, adjusted
her foot in the pink ribbon, climbed up
behind her, placed one arm about her
waist. took the bride in the other hand
and cantered out OF the courtyard. Rel
naldo sprang to his horse, lifted his
mother in front of him and followed.
Then went the bridesmaids, and the rest
Of us fell into line as we listed. AS we
rode up the valley those awaiting US
joined the caval,eede. the populace clos
ing il. spreading out like fan attached
to the tail of snake. The bells rang
out a joyful. discordant peal, the long,
undulating line of many colors wound
through the trees, past the long corridor
of the mission to the stone steps Of the
church
The ceremony was a long one, for COM
munion was given the bride and groom,
and during the greater portion of it do
not think Estenega removed his gaze
from Chonita. | could not help observ-
ing her, too, although was deeply i'm
pressed with the solemnity of the occa-
sion. Her round womanly figure had
never appeared to greater advantage
than in that close fitting gown; her hips
being rather wide she wore fewer gath
ers than was the fashion. Her faultless
arms had warmth in their whiteness
The filmy lace OF her mantilla caressed a
throat SO full and round and white and
firm that it seemed to invite other ca
resses--even the black pearls clung low
ingly about 1t. Her graceful head was
bent forward little. instead Of being
soft black lashes brushed her cheeks.
The pink fash was still in her face, like
the first tinge of color on the chill DESC
lation Of dawn
lis she not beautifulY whispered Es-
tenega eagerly. ''ls not that "a woman
TO make known TO herselfr Think Of the
infinite possibilities. the sublimation of
every
Here ! ordered him to keep quiet. re-
minding him that he was in church. q
fact he bad quite forgotten inferred
that he remembered IL later, for he
moved restlessly more than once and
looked longingly toward the door.
II was over at last. and as the bride
and groom appeared in the door Of the
church and descended the steps n salute
was fired from the presidio. On the long
corridors n table had been built from end
to end and goodly banquet provided
by the padres. We took our seats at
once. the populace gathering about
feast spread for them on the grass.
Padre Jimeno. the priest who had
officiated at the ceremony. sat at the
head Of the table: the other priests were
scattered among us and good company
all % them were We were "a very lively
party PrudenCia was toasted until her
calm important head whirled. Reinaldo
snade a speech as full of flowers as the
occasion deIun nded. Alvarado made one
also. five sentences of plain. well chosen
words. 20 which the bridegroom listened
with scorn. Now and again girl
swept the strings Of n guitar or a cabal-
lero sang The delighted shrieks Of the
people came over 10 us. at regular in
teryals cannons were fired
Estenega found himself seated between
Chonita and Valencia was opposite,
and beginning 10 feel profoundly fas-
cinated by this drama developing before
my eyes saw that he was amused by
the situation and not in the least dis
concerted Valencia was nervous and
eager. Chonita. whose pride never
failed her. had drawn herself up and
looked coldly indifferent.
Senior" murmured Valencia. "thou
wilt tarry with us long, nor We have
much 70 show thee in Santa Barbara.
ind on our ranches"
Il fear that can stay but a week,
senorita. ! must return 10 Los Angelica