The herald., 1897-12-26

Lazy OF tne AngelS. among the thrOng
was. OF course, the Dona Esperanza,
looking like an angel in her black lace
mantilla and gauzy white skirts. 1t was
little wonder that when the padre saw
her his mind wandered from the sermon.
and the words fell from his lips mechan-
ically, for he was barely thirty. and the
blood ran warmly in his veins.
AS the languid gaze Of the Dona Es-
peranza fell on the altar cloth, desire
to possess 1t filled her SOUL The more
she saw Of it the more she coveted it,
and even when the Padre took it with
him to San Gabriel, and she saw 1t no
more. 1t was constantly in her thoughts.
She dreamed of it draped around her
snowy shoulders, or over the golden
masses of her hair. and finally she told
the Don de Ramirez. who was q suitor
for her hand, that she would wed none
but the man who could give her for her
wedding veil the altar cloth Of Valencia
or it's duplicate. AS this was impossible,
and she would not change her mind, the
lovers Of the Dona Esperanza began to
despair
About this time there came to Los An
geles a stranger. Richard Delay, an
American. Like all who saw her. he fell
under the charm of Esperanza, but, un-
like the others, he was undaunted by OBJ
stacles. There were many who thought
that she was not averse to the handsome
American. although she still held to her
original condition and would in the end
capitulate. They little knew the De
Varela spirit.
Maddened by her refusals and unused
to being thwarted. Richard Delay finally
Ia%a tv,ol lint
thing which would win him favorable
answer he would do it. He was con-
vinced that Esperanza loved him, and
saw in her holding out against him not
"a woman's vanity, but pride akin to
his own. Accordingly he went to the
Padre Gustavo at San Gabriel and Of
fered to buy the altar cloth. At first
the good padres were shocked and re-
fused, although the sum offered was
such a fabulous one that 1t was sore
temptation, but when the American
added that he would have it any way. IL
he had to burn the mission. they decided
to think the matter over. Finally the
Padre Gustavo decided that 1t would be
more practical to accept the strangers
offer. for they were sadly in need, and
the mother church at home was a long
way Off. The money, after all. would do
more good for the mission than a piece
of linen, however holy.
So the altar cloth was delivered to
Delay upon the condition that he would
take q solemn oath never to reveal it's
identity or the manner in which he OBJ
tanned It, This Delay agreed to. and
hastened to Esperanza to claim his re-
ward.
There was much gossip when 1t be-
came known that the Senorita Dona Es-
pereEza de Varela was to wed the Amer
lean. and many sly remarks We're made
as to the weakness of woman's will,
for none believed that her condition had
been complied with. The wedding was
to be large one and was to be followed
by week of feasting. Guests came from
all over the state. and the brides uncle,
an official Of Importance, was summoned
from the City of Mexico.
On the day of the wedding the church
of Our Lady of the Angels was filled to
overflowing, and rows Of people stood in
double lines outside. Never had so
beautiful a bride crossed the threshold
The women noticed with envious eyes
the heavy satin OF her trailing gown,
the priceless lace which covered her
shoulders, and the Jewels on her neck;
while the men noted the swaying grace
of her matchless walk and her beautiful
face. But a sudden thrill went through
all alike as their eyes fell on the veil
which covered her golden hair Surely
there could be but one like it-yet how
could that be worn upon the head Of a
bride.
The Sonora Velazquez who stood near
the aisle slyly lifted a corner Of it as
the bride passed her, and fell back into
her seat pale and trembling, for she
had seen in the corner the cross worked
in hair, and her suspicious had been con-
firmed.
The week of feasting which followed
was never forgotten by those who at
tended it. The bride appeared in diff
ferent gown every day, each more beaut-
iful than the last. But she always wore
the same head dress and the rumors
which had at first been whispered grew
into common talk. Finally the Don de
Ramirez, who had been one Of Esperan-
zas most persistent suitors, and was
consumed with Jealousy, went to the
bridegroom and asked him plainly where
he obtained the veil which his wife wore.
To this question the American replied
that it was no ones affair but his own
and would remain so. Ramirez made no
answer, but that night he rode to San
Gabriel and demanded that the altar
cloth be shown him. Padre Gustavo
was in San Diego and the frightened
monks, not knowing what to do in his
absence, returned an evasive answer,
which apparently satisfied their unwel
come visitor.
1t was the last night of the revels,
when the Don de Ramirez, accompanied
by three other caballeros Of high stand
ing, entered the ballroom of General de
Varela's house. 1t was noticed that they
did not join the dancing. but kept to-
gether. speaking in whispers, while Ra-
mirez fastened his gloomy looks upon
Esperanza who was dancing in her own
incompatible style. Finally, as If un-
able to restrain himself, he came for
ward and by a gesture compelling ST.
lence he addressed the company. II am
here" he said, "to demand reparation
for an insult offered the holy Catholic
church. The altar cloth of Valencia has
disappeared from San Gabriel, and I
have every reason to believe that 1t Ia
at this moment in this room. Let the
Don Ricardo de Delay speak and affirm
or deny my words.
The bridegroom's face was set with
anger, as he stepped to the center Of the
room and faced his uuestiOner. II deny