The record-union., 1896-06-14


you'll don't love Guido. 1t will break
my fathers heart
Hale was overcome, yet he could not
keep back his own thoughts. Blanca,
do not cry. 1 love you, too, but think
Of Guido. He has befriended me and
told me of his hopes for the future.
cannot betray him. Then, again, think
OF your aged father. You would not
make his old days unhappy"
| Il cannot-will not marry Guido.
said she, becoming calm. II tried to
overcome my love for you and do my
my duty to my father, but as the time
approaches for his return l shudder at
the thought of marrying him. Guido is
good. He will release me and then we
| can be married. My father loves me.
| He will consent
In her pathetic pleading her face
lindled with transcendent beauty, and
as he looked upon her he said to him.
self: "Shall II" and then aloud: mo,
Blanca; must go away. l could not
return evil for good. He will be good
| to you and give you wealth, whereas
| can offer nothing"
| Blanca started as if pierced with an
arrow, but without saying a word, she
/
pursued by phantom. She intended
pleading with her father.
Clyde Hale blamed himself for his
conduct, and above all his admission
OF his love. He prepared to carry out
his intention of leaving He met old
Pablo near the house, made an excuse
| for his departure, and sparing Blanca
! the pain of parting, disappeared.
/ hoy,
her father appeared presently and said
| Blanca that man Hale left for
Monterey; we will miss him, won't we?
But then only a few days more and
| Guido will be back"
| The old man had never once guessed
! the truth and between looking after
his stock and his afternoon siesta had
| little time for observing them.
While they were indulging in their
simple repast of frijoles, milk and
honey, the padre arrived, accompanied
| by a couple of neighbors. He was in
the habit of staying at Pablo's when in
| the neighborhood and was always sure
of hearty welcome
"Ah," said the good Father Antonio
II come just in the right time. Since
early morn 1 have trudged along with
out bite passing my lips
| Indeed he looked worn. He had trav-
eled from San Diego north and was on
his way to Monterey making his an
nual trip to save the souls of Gods wild
children.
| After partaking sparingly of the food
| he betoOk himself to the spare room
blessing all and whispering to Blanca
as he passed, Il have word from Guido
He will be here tomorrow"
| After bidding her father good night
Blanca stole to her little chamber and
knelt before the little image of the
Virgin and prayed for strength. What
| should she do? Should she fly to
| Clyde? She could easily overtake him
But no-had he not voluntarily left
her? And then if she fled, what would
become of her father? "Ah," she said
to herself, "he would pine away and
Clyde would never betray Guido" She
| tossed upon her bed but could not
| sleep. Suddenly a thought flashed
| through her brain that caused
| her to tremble. She rose from
her bed and stealthily cropping hel
way catlike entered her fathers room
The perfect silence was only broken
by her tempestuous thoughts. She
seized a stilleto from the wall and ad-
| vanced to where her father lay
| wrapped in peaceful slumber. She
looked upon his pale face and then
fearing that she would recant raised
the stilleto and like lightning the knife
| flashed and pierced his heart. The ole
| man gave one gasp of pain and sank
back dead. She watched him as il
hypnotiZed and then realizing the
enormity of her deed cried out: "Madrt
| de Dios! What have I done Oh
blessed Virgin forgive me. 1t was fol
the Americana. I love him. I can beal
it no longer" Saying this she plunged
| the knife into her own bosom and sanI
| across the PROSTATE form of her father
t*
Instead of a wedding, the padre lait
to rest one Of his most devout follower.
| and beside him was buried his unfor
| tunate daughter Blanca