The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-16


We sat in the sala the next evening
awaiting the return of the prodigal and
his deliverer. The night was cool and
the doors were closed; Goals burned in
xoof tile. The room, unlike most Cali
fornian salas, boasted a carpet, and the
furniture was covered with green rep
instead Of tho usual black horsehair.
Don Guillermo patted the table gently
with his open palm, accompanying the
tinkle of Prudencia's guitar and her
light, monotonous voice. She sat on the
edge of a chair. her solemn eyes fixed on a
painting of Reinaldo VIII Nh hung on the
wall. Dona Trinidad was sewing as
usual and dressed as simply as if she
looked to her daughter to maintain the
state of the Iturbi y Moncadas. Above
a black silk skirt she wore a black
shawl, one end thrown over her shoul-
der. About her head wasa close black
silk turban, concealing, with the excep-
ton of two soft gray locks on either side
of her face, what little hair she may
still have possessed. Her white face was
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"
'0Wilt thou be glad to see Reinaldo.
my Prudencia?' asked Don Guillermo as
the song finished.
"Ayep and the girl blushed.
"Thou wouldst make 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 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 i would not have her for a
daughter, and / think he loves thee
''SureI' said Dona Trinidad.
"That is love, suppose" said Choni-
"a, leaning back in her chair and forget
ting the poppies. "With her a placid,
contented hope, with him calm prefer
ence for malleable woman. If he left
her for another she would cry for a
week, then serenely marry whom my
father bade her, and forget Reinaldo in
Che 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
che little house by the creek"
eyes, mamaci:a," said Chonita alb
sently. She felt no interest in the loves
of the Indians.
1--WE 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 he
glad to have Reinaldo marry. would
not have him 90 to the war TO be killed"
mo" 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. Il il not so?''
Eyes: fnave il in me 90 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
rcproof, 'thou must love without venge-
ance. Support thy brother. but harm
rot his enemy. would not have thee
hate even IN Etoncga. although / can
not love them myself But we will not
talk 81 the Estcnegas. Dost thou realize
that oar Rclnaldo will be with us this
night We mast all 60 60 confession to-
n.o-row-ihy mother and myself Eusta-
qria Reinalao. Prudencia and thyself"
rhonita's iace became rigid. II can