Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-21

passionate resentment he had seen her dis
play when the contents of a box from
Mexico disappointed her or she was denied
a visit to Monterey. That his best-beloved
child should suffer tore his own heart, but
he merely cursed Rezanov and resolved to
do his best to persuade the governor to
yield TO his other demands that California
might be rid of him the sooner.
Father Abella was walking down the long
outer corridor Of the mission reading his
breviary and praying he might not be d.
verted from Righteousness by the comfort
ing touch of his new habit, when he looked
up and saw the party from the Preside
laundering over the last of the sand hills.
He shuffled off to order refreshments and
returned in time to disburden the carreta
of Dona Ignacia-no mean feat-voluble de-
lighted in the visit and the gossip 1t por-
tended. But as he offered his arm to lead
her into the sala she pushed him aside and
pointed to Concha, who had sprung to the
ground unassisted.
She has come to confess padrev' she
exclaimed, her mind under the deep tiled
roof of the corridor readjusting itself to
tragedy. Il beg that you will take her at
once. Padre Landaeta can give us chocolate
and Will tell our terrible news to him
and receive advice and consolation
Father Abella, not without a glimmering
of the truth. for better than any one he
understood the girl he had confessed many
times. besides himself having succumbed
fessiOn in some perturbation of spirit. He
walked slowly hoping that the long cool
church, its narrow high windows admitting
so Scant q need of sunlight that one
of its worshipers had even read the painted
legends on the walls, and even the stations
were but deeper bits of shade, would attune
her mind TO holy things and throw a mantle
OF unreality over those of the world.
He covered his face with his hand as
she told her story This she did in a few
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and seething. For few moments after
ward there was a silence; the good priest
was increasingly disturbed and by no means
certain of his course He was astonished to
feel tug at his sleeve. Before he could
reprove this impenitent child for audacity
she had raised herself that she might ap-
proach her lips more closely to his ear
Mi padre!" she whispered hoarsely.
you will take my part You will not con-
denim me to a life of misery. 1 am too
proud TO speak openly to others-but l love
this man more than my soul-more than
my immortal soul DO you hear? / am in
danger of mortal sin. Perhaps l am al
ready in that state. You cannot save me If
he goes. / will not pray. l will not come
10 the church. l will be an outcast If
marry him l will be a good Catholic to the
end of my days. If l marry him | can
think OF other things besdes-of my church.
my father, my mother. my sisters, brothers.
If he goes 1 shall pass my life thinking of
nothing but him, and if it be true that
heretics are doomed to hell, then l will
live so that | may go to hell with him.
In spite of his horror the priest was
thrilled by the intense passion in the voice
So close to his ear Moreover, he knew
women well, this good padre, for even in
California they differed little from sthose
that played ball with the world. So he dis
missed the horror and spoke soothingly.
What you have said would be moral sin,
my daughter, were 1t not that you are
labOring under strong and natural excite
ment; and / shall absolve you freely when
You have done the penance l must impose.
You have always been such a good child
That | am able TO forgive you even in this
terrible moment. But, my daughter, surely
you Know that this marriage can never
take place"
1T shalt It shall"
control yourself, my daughter. You can
not bring this man into the true church.