The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-11-01
Xxx.

The next morning Father ,Abella
rode over to the Preside and was
closeted for an hour with the comand-
ante and the governor. Then the three
rode down to the beach, entered a
canoe, and padded out, to the Juno.
Rezanov met them on deck with a
gravity as significant as their own, but
led them at once to the cabin where
wine, and the cigarets for which alone
they would have counseled the treaty,
awaited them. ~,.. 80 81.
The quartet pledged each other in
an embarrassed silence, disposed of a
Don Jose inhaled audibly, then lifted
his eyes and met the 'veiled and steady
gaze of the Russian. ~-.s
"Senor,'' he said, III have come to
tell you that ! consent to your mar
riage with my daughter.'2
"Thank you, y. said Rezanov. And
their hands clasped across the table.
But this was far too simple. for the
taste Of a governor so important an
occasion demanded official dignity and
many words. ~ "
"Your exeellencyt'S'as he said severe
Wits sttRn aggd Ve5y e t6S t Mth s enG
the el'' other her, on ~ the 'Ns hit a't Of his
sword (yet full of courtesy and
longing to enjoy the cheer and con-
versation of his ySlost); .t3the peaceful
monotony. of our lives has been rudely
shaken by demand upon three falli-
BILE human beings to alter the course Of
history in two great nations That is
a sufficient excuse forssthe suspense to
which we have been forced to subject
you.5 The marriage Of Russian and
a Spaniard is Of no great moment in
. r. h11f 4L1
potentiary of the :czar himself with the
daughter of Jose4 Dario Arguello, not
only one of the most eminent, respect.
ed and distinguished Is of His Most
Catholic Majesty7s subjects in New
Spain, but a man 50 beloved and influ-
entail that he could create revolution
were he so minded-indeed Jose, no
one knows better8than / how incapable
you are Of treason "--as the comand-
ante gave a loud exclamation Of hor-
ror-"I merely illustrate and, empha-
size. My sands are nearly. run, excel
lency; it is to the estimable mind and
strong paternal hand Of my friend that
this miserable colony must look: before
hand-to-mouth existence--a fact well
known to our king and natural lord.
When he, hears Of this projected ALI
"Projected9' exclaimed Rezanov.
II wish to marry at once.''
Father Abella shook his head vigor-
onsly, but he spoke with great kindness.
HThat, excellencv, alas, is the ono
point upon which we are forced to dis
appoint you. Indeed, our own submis-
sion to your wishes is contingent. This
marriage cannot take place without
dlspensation from Rome and the con-
sent of the king"
Rezanov looked at Don Jose. "You
too?'' he asked CURLY. y Y @.~ -
The comandante stirred uneasily,
heaved a deep sigh; he thought Of the
long impatience Of his Concha. 'sIt is
true he said. 3 Not only would it
be impossible for. my conscience to re-
sign itself to the marriage Of my daugh-
ter with a heretic-pardon, excellency
without the blessing Of the pope; not
only would no priest in California per-
form the ceremony until it arrived, but
it would mean the degradation Of Cow
ernor Arrillaga and myself, and the
ruin Of all your other hopes. We should
be ordered summarily to Mexico, per-
haps worse, and no Russian would ever
be permitted to set foot in the Cali
fornias again. I would it were other.
wise. | know know-but it is in