Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-27

here for our nuptials Decisions pass but
are none the less sweet for that
They knelt before the altar, the CONAN
dante, Dona Ignacia, Luis. Santiago RAJ
faella Sal and Elena Castro just behind;
the rest of the party, their bright garments
shimmering vaguely in the gloom, as they
listed; and enough fervent prayers went up
to insure the health and safety Of the de-
parting guests for all their lives.
Rezanov, who had much on his mind,
stared moodily at the altar until Concha
who had bowed her head almost to her
knees, finished her supplication, when
their eyes turned and met simultaneously.
For moment their brains did swim in the
delusion that the priest with his uplifted
hands pronounced benediction upon their
nuptials, that probation was over and union
nigh. But Father Abella dismissed all with
the same blessing, and they shivered as
they rose and walked slowly down the
church.
Dona Ignacia took her husbands arm
and muttered that she feared chill hur-
ried the others before her. The priests had
gone to the sacristy. Before they reached
the door Rezanov and Concha We're alone,
His hands fell heavily on her shoulders.
"Concha,'' he said. Il shall come back II
I live. l make no foolish vo vs., so idle be-
tween U.S. There is only one power that can
prevent our marriage in this church not
later than two years from today. And al
though l am in the very fullness of my
health and strength, with my work but be-
gun, all my happiness in the future. and
even to a less sanguine man 1t would seem
that his cpurse had many years to run, still
have l seen much as any man of the in
consequence of life, of the insignificance Of
the individual, his hopes. ambitions, hap
piness, and even usefulness, in the COM
plicated ma chinery of natural laws. 1t may
be that l shall not come back. But I wish
to take with me your promise that If l have
not returned at the end of two years
you have received no reason for my de-
tention, you will believe that I am dead.
There would be but one insupportable drop
in the bitterness of death, the doubt of
your faith in my word and my love- Are
you too much of woman to curb your
imagination in long unbro--cn sience?"
81 have learned much that one lesson
more is no tax on my faith. And l no
longer live in a world of little things. /
promise you that l shall never falter nor
doubt
He bent his head and kissed her for the
first time without passion, but solemnly, as
had their nuptials indeed been accomplished,
and the greater mystery of spiritual union
isolated them for moment in that twilight
region where the mortal part did not enter.
AS they left the church they saw that all
the Indians of the mission and neighbor-
hood, in a gala of color had gathered to
cheer the Russians as they rode away.
Concha was to return as she had come, be-
side the carreta of her mother and as
Rezanov mounted his horse she stood star
ing with unseeing eyes on the brilliant, ami
mated scene. Suddenly she heard a sup
pressed sob, and felt touch on her skirt.
She looked rOunQ ana saw ROSA, kneellIlS
close to the church. For a moment she
continued to stare, hardly comprehending,
in the intense concentration of her facul-
ties that tangible beings other than her
self and Rezanov, still moved on the earth.
Then her mind relaxed. She was normal
in a normal world once more. She stopped
and patted the hands clasping her skirts.
"Poor Rosa!" she said. Poor Rosa"'
Over the intense green of islands and
hills were long banners of yellow and pur-
pie mist, where the wild flowers were lift
ing their heads. The whole quivering bay
was as green as the land. but far away
the mountains of the east were pink. Where
hills the warm golden red of the poppy
Haunted in the sunshine. All nature was
in gala attire like the CALIFORNIA; them
selves as the Juno under full sail sped
through 1.-The Mouth of the Gulf of the
Farallones." Fort San Joaquin saluted with
ment with nine. The commandante. his
family and guests, stood on the hill above
the fort cheering waving sombreros and
handkerchiefs. Wind and tide carried the
ship rapidly out the straits. Rezanov
dropped the cooked hat he had been waving
and raised his field-glass concha, as ever.
stood a little apart. AS the ship grew
smaller and the company turned toward
the Preside, she advanced to the edge of
the bluff. The wind lifted her loosened
mantilla, billowing 1t out on one side. and
as she stood with her hands pressed against
her heart, she might, save for her empty
arms, have been the eidolon of the Madonna
di San Sisto In her eyes was the same
expression of vague arrested horror as she
looked out on that world of menacing inn
PROJECTIONS the blind forces of nature and
man had created; her body was instinct
with the same nervous leashed impotent
ITO ho concluded tonorrow)