Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1898-06-10
image Of the Christ with hlood-stained

image Of the Christ, with blood-stained |
body and hands. Underneath Him |
hung the holy pictured face of the Nir- |
gin. and to the two. Panchita, weak |
and faint from long fasting and cry !
ing. was pouring out heart and soul.
Only that San:iago-her Santiago
might be saved somehow-in some
way. Ay buen Dios-Marie madre de
Dios-take her life--her soul for tor
ture in purgatory-only let Santiago
escape. Too weak TO pray aloud. she
had crawled before the shrine, and
with burning, tear-covered face was
family whispering her petitions.
The girl drew herself up numbly on
her knees, sobs that came from her
very soul still shaking her slender
body. A sound outside startled her,
until she remembered that Santiago's
| mother had come to weep and lament
with her own mother. Out there. In the
patio, they were lamenting and wall.
ing with loud cries. How could they
do 1t like that--wailing and shrieking
so that the neighbors could hear? How
angry Santiago would be If he could
hear them making such noise over
him! She cast one more pitiful glance
Mt the Virgin, but the sweet. calm face
was SO quiet, so restful. SO little dis
turbed. What was the use to ask her
anything? No, there was no help. She
stood up, tottering. and moved over to
the window. There was no one In
sight; the hot sunshine poured down on
the yellow sandy street and the gray
adobe walls. Out In the middle Of the
callejon some dogs and small children
rolled and tumbled in the dust to-
gether In high glee. burro. with mel
ancholy face and long, dropping ears,
munched alfalfa, while his owner
drank pulque in the pulque-shop near
by. 1t was all SO ordinary, so every
day; and yet Santiago was to be shot
tomorrow! That is, unless she could
think of plan to save him.
There was sudden clatter, and the
children scattered rapidly. with many
duckings and holdings of their small.
fat bodies, as good Padre Francisco. on
his pacing mare, turned the corner and
went rapidly down the street. Behind
him rode mOzO on hacienda horse.
Panchita thought duly that some one
, at the pulque hacienda of San Juan
must be very III and wanted the padre
, for confession. 1t would be long ride
! for the good old man, because San
!, Juan was many miles away. He would
= be absent from the town for over day.
. Pulling at the strings of his soutane,
: Padre Francisco rode on, his old black
D cloak Tapping In the breeze. 1t was 80
| I'D LrI~
p dim eyes could not but remark It. Poor
n Padre Francisco, with no one to look
r after his clOthes-he was good man.
q and really deserved better cloak than
y that shabby thing! Perhaps, II she
n asked her father, he would allow her to
!. take the cloak that had belonged to her
4 uncle, a priest Of the same order rs
= Padre Francisco, to give to the latter
good man. And the hood that the padre
9 wore, covering his head and nearly all
- his face-was ever anything seen like
- It? One could, OF a surety, wear 1t to a
masquerade; perhaps she might borrow
- 1t for the next Bale de Mascaros." Al
the thought she laughed and choked-
it would be a good disguise.
- The next moment abe was weepine
60 her heart out, pressing passionate kiss
es on the cold feet Of the ivory Christ
= He had heard her. after all, and tn.
Virgin had helped her-interceded fOl
her! For now she knew what to do
- and Santiago should be saved. Thor,
- was plan-the Holy Mother had sen
'e 1t to her. Now to carry 1t out.
At 6 o'clock that evening the soldie
~ on guard before Santiago's door admit
ted without question the thin, stoopet
form Of Padre Francisco. cloaked ant
hooded in his usual manner, and carry
- ing prayerbooks and rosary. The goo1
:, father was silently telling his boads
:" and the soldier bowed humbly an
crossed himself as he opened the door
y speaking no word. For no Catholic /
'e privileged to address a priest who l
~ counting his osary-beads-it IL sig
~ that silence is desired.
II The cell door opened and closed Is
&c lently after the padre, and The watche
&c outside heard a smothered, impatien
10 ejaculation from Private Moreno, VIII
was smoking cigarette aud trying I
~ write that adios to Panchita. Then til
IT. door was locked. for the padre was r.
|
IL guards retired. laughing at the idea {
al confession for Santiago-the wickedes
IN dog In the army Of Mexico.
Lounglng in the doorway, the soldie,
IL. speculated lazily as to what was goin
ho on In the condemned cell, 1t was Z
~ quiet. Not even murnsur could
VI heard, and finally the men agreed thu
or the padre was praying silently, wit
al Santiago cursng In the other corner
NY the room.
aa 1t was dark-quite dark when Pad
10 Francisco came out with head bowt
70 lower than ever. cloak wrapped disco
solately about him, and fingers still te
I'm ing his beads. He had been there I,
IN an hour, and surely Santiago was eth
y talked down or dead ny this tim
ST. "Shall we go and eeT' asked guard.
he "Nn h0mhrp. LOT the moor hru