The record-union., 1896-06-14
THE COMING OF THE PADRE.
CWritten for the Record Union" by
Harold FranciS)

| (Written for the Record Union" by
Harold Francis.)
| In a small valley of the Santa Cruz
Mountains nestled amid the green fcli-
age, was the hacienda of Senior Pablo
! Gonzales, with it's light adobe walls,
veranda covered with honeysuckle and
red tiled roof Pablo was a well-to- do
rancher, but lived quietly with his
| daughter, Blanca. He had lost his wife
when Blanca was small and, with the
exception of one year at the convent at
Los Angeles, she had seen little of the
outside world. She was child of ma
ture and longed for the inspiring noun
ta1ns, the gurgling streams and the
peaceful solitude which lowered over
the little hacienda.
| Pablo was seated on the veranda
smoking his pipe, while Blanca nestled
az his feet. He loved his child devoted
ly. and had been sounding her feelings
toward the eldest son of their nearest
neighbor, the Senior Correo. He knew
that his days on earth were limited, and
Bianca's future was his only care.
"Bianca," said he, Guido calls to-
night to get my answer. Do you really
think you could be happy with him?
Ah, daughter, he IS the man for
you. He has wealth, is of a fine family
and is loved by all. It would make me
SO happy to see you under his protec-
ton, for then 1 could join your dear
mother without one pan;s of regret"
! Blanca was silent. She had never
given the matter serious thought. True
she had received Guido with favor. He
was the son of a wealthy senior, and
since it pleased her father it must be
right.
The sun was concentrating its kaleid-
oscopic beams on the horizon, and grad
ually disappeared in the west, only to
give way to the new moon. Presently
! the sound of beating hoofs could be
| heard. and in an instant Guido darted
forward from behind bend in the road.
What a picture he made on that fiery
animal! He sprang from his horse,
ran up to Blanca and imprinted kiss
upon her forehead, and with kindly
greeting for Pablo, seated himself near
Blanca.
well, Pablo,' said he, "have you
come to any conclusion, does the sonora
|
for an answer he took Bianca's hands
in his own and whispered tenderly, I'VE
will be so happy, Blanca" and then ad-
dressing himself again to Pablo: Il can
not live without her. Tomorrow 1
must leave for Los Angeles with some
horses, and 1 will not return for eight
weeks. So before going, l came to ask
you for her hand"
1T would be a happy hour for me- -
said Pablo, "to see my Blanca well
cared for. Blanca consents on one con-
dition-that l may live with her. She's
all I've left to live ftr now, and with
out her my life would be blank"
| Guido was greatly affected and said:
DO you think 1 would rob you entirely? q?
Indeed / would be glad to have you with
US, and proud to be prop Of Senor
Pablo Gonzales in his old days. / will
return by the time the good Father An
tonic makes his annual visit and then
we will be married"
The old man was overjoyed and
yielded only too readily. Blanca, too,
was happy, for she liked Guido-yea,
loved him in her childish way, and
pictured a future all sunshine. Guido
was young, possessed dark, handsome
face, and, above all, he would relieve
her father of the cares and troubles
which had burdened his old days.
The moon had slowly crawled up the
sky, and as the three sat there the soft,
silvery light seemed to shed a blessing
on the happy group. Guido was, in
truth, the happiest man In the world.
He had hoped some day to win her,
4 nx,Jxy iDht Ire
more and then his dream would be real
ized.
After making all arrangements for
the wedding, he bade Pablo farewell,
and, drawing Blanca to him, he held
her folded to his breast in one long en-
brace; then he mounted his steed, and,
with an "Adios, Senior Pablo, keep her
safe till 1 return" he departed.
About four weeks later the little ha-
cienda was quite stirred up by the ar
rival of an Americana, one Clyde Hale,
who came from Los Angeles, bearing a
message from Guido who had sent him
there to assist Pablo.
Clyde Hale hailed from New York.
having made the trip to San Francisco
via the Cape and gradually worked his
way down south. He came from a fine
old Puritan family, but, having led a
Wild and reckless life after finishing his
college education, his parents persuaded
him to board a vessel bound for Cali
fornia He reached the end of the voy
age in spring, and, anxious to avoid the
evil influences which he feared he would
succumb to in San Francisco, he started
south with the intention of remaining
at the first favorable place he found.
While in Los Angeles he came across
Guido Correo, who took a fancy to him,
and in a short time they became init
mate. He confided his troubles to Guido,
who became so interested in him that
he proposed sending him to Pablo to
assist in his work. Clyde was over
joyed at this opportunity, as things had
not gone we'll with him among these
strangers, mad straightway set out for
the hacienda of Senor Pablo Gonzales.
1t was now in the middle of summer,
and the heat was intense. Pablo had
little need of help. as there was moth
ing to be done, and Clyde found him
self at home most of the time. In or
Ger to make himself useful, he per-
formed ell sorts of chores about the
house, and was brought in contact with
Blanca a great deal He was struck
with her beauty at first sight, but what
of that? Had he not won, betrayed and
forsaken many far more beautiful than
she? At first, he would have laughed
at the idea of loving her seriously, but
as the days passed into weeks the Ian
guor of that land of the south came over
him and he gradually came to love Bi-
anca-not as a boy-he dreamed OF