The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1909-09-02
THE UNKNOWN GUEST
Rv ANDREW c. EWING.

copyright, 1909, by American Press Asso-
ciation.l
It was in the early days in California,
when Fremont, 1.-THE Pathfinder" be-
came a hero from crossing those noun
tains which now may be traversed in a
parlor car. But the route from Mexico
was open, and numbers Of Mexicans,
including those newly emigrated from
Spain, were moving northward and
building homes in what was destined
to become the Golden State. One of
the Spaniards, Don Emilio Estillo,
built himself fine house in Santa
Barbara. 1t was designed after a
Roman villa, with a court and foun-
tain in the center.
California at that period partook Of
the olden time. Though new coun-
try. it was inhabited by refined people
of Spanish blood. At the same time
it was infested by bandits, such as
have existed in Spain for centuries.
The leader of one Of these gangs was
Manuel Corello, a veritable Robin
Hood. Like Robin, who is supposed
to have been a nobleman, COrello was
a gentleman, and, though he robbed
the rich, he gave largely to the poor.
When Don Estillo's house was fin
ished he opened it with grand en-
tertainment, at which all the dfstin-
guished families for miles around
were present. It was brilliant scene.
In the patio, or court, within a circle
Of tropical plants, was band Of per-
formers, who sang and played while
the guests, heated by the dance, were
seeking the cool air. Spanish social
customs for the amusement Of the
guests have been adopted by the blue
bloods of California. Don Estilo's
guests were provided with eggshells
filed with silver or gold tinsel or per-
fumery, which were broken, over the
heads of ladies whom the men wished
to favor.
Among the men was one who at
tracted universal attention. He was
young, very handsome and dressed in
the picturesque Spanish costume. The
guests asked one another who he was,
but no one seemed to know. One Of
them asked the host, but Don Estillo
said that he did not know the stran-
ger and supposed he must have come
with one of the guests. No one sug-
gested that he had not come in ac-
cordance with the customs regulating
invitations, for he was evidently a
polished gentleman.
Since the stranger knew no one he
was obliged to find partners in the
dances by some pretext. He was very.
adroit, and the girls, instead Of re-
curing introductions, were glad to re-
ceiye his attentions without them.
Donna Inez, daughter Of the host, was
the most favored and after one Of the
dances went out with the handsome
stranger into the patio, where they
took seats on a bench behind a gigan-
tic palm. There they remained so long
that the hostess, requiring her daugh-
ter's presence for some especial enter
tainment of her guests, sought her and
led her away.
The dancing had ceased, and to
strains Of music the guests marched in
to supper. They did not stand about
eating the viands as in these days.
Each one was seated. Just as they
had all taken their seats party of
belated guests from Los Angeles ar
rived, among them Judge Antonio Bes-
tamente. They came into the supper
room, and the judge was assigned
seat opposite to the young stranger
who had attracted so much attention
and who had secured for his supper
companion Donna Inez Estillo. No
sooner did the judge look straight be-
fore him than his eyes became riveted
on Donna Inez's cavalier. It was evil
dent that Bestamente was moved by
some powerful emotion. Rising, he
called to the host seated at the head
of the table and said.
"W1l you honor me with an intro
duction to my vis-a-vis?"
Don Estillo, not knowing the mans
name, looked confused.
The stranger rose and said: Ladies'
and gentlemen, far be it from me to
compromise so charming host as Don
Estillo. He is not responsible for my
presence here, for I came on my own
invitation. He cannot introduce me,
for he does not know my name. am
Manuel Corello."
As he uttered the last word he be-
gan to back toward the door. The mo-
ment he spoke his name many a face
whitened and every man present rose
to his feet. But all were excited, none