Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-20
"He threw himself against the horse and snatched he

that have been your friend, excellencyT
II will swear it If you wish.'' said Req
anov frigidly. -
"Pardon. senior If I thought you could,
I should not be here. One often says such
things This is the plan: You shall sug-
gest that we buy your wares and that you
buy again with our money. The dear gov
ernor only wants to save his conscience an
ache. for we have driven him nearly ais-
tracted. 1 am sure he will consent. for you
will know how to put it to him very dplo-
matically."
'"But If he refused to understand, or his
conscience remained obdurate sa,,a e. s 81,
He would never trick guest, nor Would
he let the money go out OF the country;
And he knows well how much we neeo
his reports that he sold you hold full OF
breadstuffs Moreover. I think the time mas
come to tell him of the distress at SltRa.
He Is very soft-hearted and is now In mat
distracted state of mind where only one
more argument Is required. hope nave
given you good advice, excellency. II rs
the best I can think of. l have given II
much thought. and the terrible state oI
awake many nights. / must return now
Will your excellency kindly remain here
until am well on my Way-and then re-
turn by the beach? l shall go as came,
through the valley. Neither or US can De-
seen from the battery.
II will obey all your instructions, said
Rezanov. But he did not move, nor could
the mustang. Concha smiled and pointed
to the other side Of the cleft. whlch was
about as wide narrow street.
Pardon senior, I cannot turn"
For a moment ReZanov stared at her,
through her. Then his heavy eyes opened
and flashed. It seemed to him that for the
/ first time he saw how beautiful, how ceslr-
able she was set in that gray volcanic rock
with the heavens gray above her
and the stars fading out. 1t was not the
bo baU imagined for the WOO
ing of a mate. but neither moonlight nor
the romantic glades Of La Belhsslma coulo
have awakened in him passion SO suooen
and final. Her face between the PACK
against the jagged wall; and When MS
eyes flashed again with wild, eager nope,
she involuntarily crossed herself he Threw
himself against the horse and snatched her
down and kissed her as he had Kissed no
woman vet recognizing her once Tor all
When he finally held her at arms length
for a moment he laughed confusedly:
1.-THE Russian bear is no longer a0ngure
of speech." he said Forgive me- I for
got that you are as tender as you are
strong"
Her hands were tightly clasped against her
breast and the breath was short in her
throat but she made no protest Her eyes
were radiant. her mouth was the only
color in that gray dawn. In a momen she'
too, laughed.
hereto! If Tamalpais fell into the sea 1t
would not make so great a sensation in
this California Of ours where civilized man
exists but to drive heather Souls into the
one true church"
"will it matter to you? Are you strong
enough? It will only a question of time
to win them over. If you are"
She nodded emphatically Il was born
with strength. Now-Dios!-now 1 can be
stronger than the King of Spain himself,
than the governor, my parents and all the
priests You would not become Catho-
lic?' she asked abruptly.
He shook his head. although he still
smiled at her. mot even for you"
NO." she said thoughtfully. Il will con-
fess-what matters It'll often dreamed
lieved 1t would not. But why should one
control the Imagination when 1t alone can
give US happiness for little while? l gave
it reign, for thought that one-half OF all
nv life was to be passed in that unreal
but by no means niggardly world. And
thought of everything. To change your re-
ligion would mean the ruin of your career;
moreover, 1t Is not possibility OF your
love you SO much. Nor could bear to
think of any change in you. Only 1t Will
be harder-longer." Then she stretched out
her hand and closed and opened 1t slowly
The most obtuse could not have failed to
read the old smile of the stel in the vel
vet II shall win because 1t is my nature
and my power-to hold what grasp.
But II they perslstently refuse
'Dios! she interrupted him. do you
think that your love Is greater than mine?
1 was born with thousand years of love
in me and had you not come I should have
gone alone with my dreams to the grave. l
am all women in one. not merely Concha
Arguello a girl of sixteen" She clasped
her hands high above her head. lifting her
eyes to the ashen vault SO soon to yield to
the gay brush of dawn.
Before all that great mystery" she said
solemnly 81 give myself to you forever,
how much or how little that may mean
here on earth. Forever.
vxrr