Omaha daily bee., 1895-09-08
Copyright. 1895, by Bret Harte)
CHAPTER vi.


nizlng the gateway into which the myse-
rious lady had vanished was SO great that he
was at first inclined to believe her entry
there a mere trick Of his fancy. That the
confederate OF gang Of robbers should be
admitted to the austere recesses Of the con-
vent with a ceerity that bespoke familiarity,
was incredible. He again glanced up and
down tho length OF the shadowed but still
Invisible wall. There was no one there. The
wall itself contained no break or recess in
which one could hide, and this was the only
gateway. The opposite side of the street in
the full moonlight stared emptLly. No! I'm
less she were an illusion herself and his
whole chase dream she must have en-
tered here.
But the chase was not hopeless. He had at
least tracked her to place where she could
be identified. 1t was not hotel which she
could leave at any moment uhoDsetyeu.
Though he could not follow her and penetrate
its secluslon now, he could later-thanks to
his old associations with the padres OF the
contiguous college-gain an introduction TO
the lady superior on some pretext She was
safe there that night. He turned away with
a feeling s,of relief. The incongruity Of her
retreat assumed a more favorable aspect to
his hopes. He looked at the hallowed walls
and the slumbering peaeefulness OF the
gnarled old trees that hid the convent and
gentle remniscence of his youth stole over
him. 1t was not the first time that he had
gazed wistfully upon that chaste refuge
where perhaps, the bright eyes that he had
followed in the quaint school procession
under the eafy Alameda in the afternoon
were at last closed in gentle slumber. There
was the very grille through which the
wicked Conchta-or was 1t Dolores?-had
shot her Parthian glance at the lingering stu
dent. And the man Of 80, prematurely gray
and settled in fortune, smiled as he turned
away, and forgot the adventures or ~ VINO
had brought him there.
The next morning he was Up betimes and
at the college Of San Jose. Father Cipriano,
trife more snuffy and aged, remembered
with delight his old pupil All! 1t was true
then that he had become a mining president,
and that was why his hair was gray but he
trusted that Don Preble had not forgot that
this was not all OF life, and that fortune
brought great responsibilities and cares. But
what was this, then? He had thought OF
bringing out some Of his relations from the
states, and placing a niece In the convent
This was good and wise All, yes. Fer
education in this new country one must turn
to the church. And he would see the lady
superior? All! that was but the twist of ones
finger and the lifting Of latch to grave
superintendent and a gray head like that
OF course he had not forgotten the convent
and the young senorias, nor the discipline
and the suspended holidays. All! it was
special grace Of our lady that he. Father
Ciprlano had not been worried into his grave
by those foolish muchlchos. Yet, when he
had extnguished a snuffy chuckle in his red
bandana handkerchief Key knew that he
would accompany him to the convent that
noon
It was with slight stirring Of shame
over his elaborate pretext that he passed the
gate Of the Sacred Heart with the good
father. But it is to be feared that he speed
fly forgot that in the unexpected Information
that 1t ELECTED. The lady superior was
gracious and even enthusiastic. All, yes, 1t
was growing custom OF the American
cabaieros-who had no homes, nor yet time
to create any-to bring their sisters, wards
and nieces here, and-with dove-like side
glance toward Key-even the young senor-
itas they wished to fit for their Christian
bridesi Unlike the cabalero, there were many
business men so immersed in their affairs
that they could not end time for personal
examination Of the convent-whch was TO
be regretted-but who, trusting to the repu-
tation of the Sacred Heart and Its good
friends, simply sent the young lady there by
some trusted female companion. Notably this
was the case Of the Senior Rivers-did Don
Preble ever know him?-a great capitalist in
the Sierras, whose sweet young sister, naive,
ingenious creature, was the pride OF the con-
vent. OF course 1t was better that 1t was so.
Discipline and seclusion had to be maintained.
The young girl should look upon this as her
home. The rules for visitors was necessarily
severe. 1t was rare indeed-except in case
of urgency, such as happened last night
that ever a lady. unless the parent Of a
scholar. was admitted to the hospitality of
the convent. And this lady was only the
friend of that same sister Of the American
capitalist, although she was the one who
had brought her there. No, she was not a
relation. Perhaps Don Prebe had heard Of
Mrs. Barker-the friend Of Rivers of the
Serras. It was a queer combination Of
names. But what will you? The names Of
Amercanos mean nothing. And Don
Preble knows them not. All! Possibly
good! The lady would be remembered being
80 hon
sad. A few hours earlier and Don Preble
could have judged for himself, for, as it
were, she might have passed through the
visitors room. But she was gone-de-
parted by the coach 1t was because OF
telegram-those heather contrivances that
blurt out things to you, with never an ex-
cuse, nor a smile, nor a kiss OF the hand.
For her part She never let her scholars re-
ceive them, but opened them herself and
translated them in Christian spirit, after
due preparation, at her leisure. And 1t
was this telegram that made the Sonora
Barker go, or, without doubt, she would
have of herself told to the Don Prebe, her
compatrot of the Sierras, how good the con-
vent was for his niece.
Stung by the thought that this woman had
again evaded him, and Disconnected and con-
fused by the scarcely Ineligible information
he had acquired Key could with difficulty
maintain his composure. ''The caballero is
tired OF his long pascar," said the lady
superior, gently. I'VE will have a glass of
wine in the lodge waiting ROOM She led
the way from the reception room to the
outer door, but stopped at the sound of ap-
preaching footsteps and rustling muslin along
the gravel walk THE second class is
going out" she said, as a gentle procession
of white frocks, led by two nuns, filed be-
fore the gateway. I'VE will wait until they
have passed. But the senior can see that
my children do not look unhappy"
They certainly look d very cheerful, although
they had halted before the gateway with
little Of the occurrences Of young people
who know they are overlooked by authority,
and had bumped against each other with
affected gravity. Somewhat ashamed Of his
useless deception and the guileless simplicity
of the good lady superior, Key hesitated
and began ~ am afraid that am really
giving you too much trouble" and sud
denly stopped.
For as his voice broke the demure silence
one of the nearest-a young girl OF appar-
emily 17--turned toward him with a quick
and an apparently irresistible impulse, and
as quickly turned away again. But in that
instant Key caught glimpse OF face that
might not only have thrilled him in its
beauty, its freshness, but in some vague
euggestiveness. Yet II was not that which
set his pulses beating; 1t was the look Of joy
Gus recognition set in the parted lips and
sparkling eyes, the glow Of childlike, inno-
aant nlaa sura that Uantlad tho swat younp