The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1903-12-06

ing bell; they had lain side by side In
their cups when the aguardiente was
plenty; they had corrupted California
politics hand IN hand for many a year.
Now the man is jilting my daughter.
is hep"
Candida tucked the note in her bosom
again. II would be fun TO show II 10
Fniberto when they had a little time
alone.
Tell FiHberto I'll be ready IL a min
ute" she called as she heard the light
hoofs OF Mia.
She moved the comb to the other side,
then back to its original position Be
hind her ear she fastened a great Grim
son rose.
You are IoveIier than ever" Fill
berto whispered as she gave him
glimpse OF the picture she was. Then
she threw a white mantilla over her
head and shoulders. her face and the
rose peeping out from the snowy lace.
Good evening. Mia" she said. pat
ting the little horses nose. 1t gave a
happy whinny. for II knew Candida.
Her father and mother came from the
house and said a surly good evening 10
the handsome young Spaniard. To them
he was entirely Objectionable in that he
had no property, no influential father.
nothing but his own cleverness and
courage to depend upon. Furthermore.
they strongly suspected their daughter
Of preferring him to the shrewd old po-
Iitical fox TO whom they were trying to
marry her.
Permit me 70 thank you both for In
trusting your daughter to my care to-
night" he said blithely. In spite OF the
frowns that greeted him.
Candida patted the restless pony
again Are you IN a hurry, Mia?" she
said. Come, Ffllberto. we must start.
Mia says she viii not wait"
The girl put her little red-slippered
foot into the stirrup, Filiberto helped
her as she sprang. and she was perched
aloft in the gala day saddle all carved
and be-silvered- With bow to the old
people he sprang up behind her, as was
the Californian custom
He reached forward to adjust tbs
reins Mia fumed 70 be of. But the
word had not been given when a clatter
CT hoofs sounded beyond the house
All turned to see who the arrival was
The hoofs clattered more sharply as the
Eallop slowed. Up rode the Conan
dante.
At the sight Of Candida about to ride
away he turned white with anger, as
his way was.
"Ah, senorita, may inquire who your
physician may be, that your ankle heals
so quickly7"
The father and mother stood silent.
looking from one to the other. Suspi-
cion, fear rage were creeping upon
them. 1t was no time to parry. the girl
knew.
There is but one physician who can
heal every hurt" she replied. He Is
Love. am IN his charge. on. Mia"
And the pony was away with them.
You mean it?" said Filiberto.
She only tossed him q teasing laugh
now. How Mia fiesl" she said, dodg-
ing his question There are the lights
OF the fandango."
Far away glittered the brilliant lights
In a great ranch house. Suddenly the
road divided. At the end Of one branch
were the lights OF the gay ball; at the
end Of the other, one lamp shone from
the Mission
"Listeni" said Hitherto, and stopped
the horse. A strange blending OF sounds
came to their ears; guitar and violin
sounded family from the left: from the
right came the faraway chime OF the
Mission bell.
ITO the left lies the dance" he said
slowly. After it-home again, a storm
OF wrath, you and 1 separate forever"
YES" she said, the merriment gone
out OF her eyes
ITO the right" he went on, Father
Juan, our old priest and friend. He
knows US and loves Us. He viii marry
US tonight"
"Oh!" she cried with little shudder.
shall 1t not be the right road7"
"Oh-Im afraid can't"
Say the right"
She hesitated. perplexed. Then she
cried, ct know, I'll let Mia decide. We
shall see which way she chooses"
She pushed his hands from the reins.
drew Mia to the middle OF the fork and
stopped her. Now 90, Mia" she said
The horse flung up her head and gal
loped into the dark road on the right
Mia, you shall feed on sugar Jumps
for the rest Of your life" Hitherto said.
1t was not for many years that Can
dida made a confession to her husband.
IT tweaked the right rein" she owned
then. II was so afraid Ma might
make a mistake"