Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-19
By Kathryn Jarboe

that the body the bones all wrapped IN the Drown
robe, found by neophyte right here at the foot
of these hills and" Donna Perfectas voice died
away but Evelyn could see that her lips were still
hand she held close clasped the small golden Cruclx
that hung from her rosary.
And then. Donna Perfecta?" she urged
And then, echoed the Storyteller.-' why that
all the story, at least all that anyone knows.
but for many, many years who crossed these hills
late at night saw-yes, he was sure he saw figure,
the figure of the young padre wandering under the
trees always always as though he was searching for
something And-and the good padres at the mis-
sion that Beltempo had carried the treas
ure across the desert. that he had buried eet
cen the hills, and-they good to the bones and
gave them burial but they searched and searched
for the silver and never found it
And others sure? prompted Evelyn.
"Ah, Mees Haleck. sighed Donna Perfecta, you
will always have some rO1nanZa no! Now, eet
my grandmother told me that Beltempo had fled
from Mexico with sweetheart, and she had heard
the very tiniest whisper that the girl lived here
just across the desert from the Mission and that
az dl me! eet saCrilege to say the words
but eet was my grandmother who had heard eet
said that ee the padres had searched for the girl and
found her-why. they would have needed to look
farther for the sacred vessels. But ee not right
to tell such tales. Eet not right to hear
them and yet. eef Beltempo buried the treasure
all good faith and duty to God why does hees rest
less spirit wander at all times through these hills
Eet strange, no: ~
But does the pooryoung padre still wander about
looking for his buried treasure or his lost loves"
questioned Evelyn.
But yes" Donna Perfecta hurried to make
surance " He has been seen at times seence
and lately he has been seen more and more often
Don JIMINEZ moved restessly flung away his
- cigarette and rose slowly to his feet. "As told
you Miss Halleck he said the rose tanager seeks
his just the sets. If you would her
nest you must go to the rose hedge now. Ill war
rant no ghost of Betempo in garden to-
night no, would we even if we walked to his
foothills and his trees.
perhaps not, )iHtinesso MIC, answered Donna
Perfecta; but you must not take Mees Halleck to
the hills after dark, because"
But | am not afraid !" interrupted Evelyn. I'd
love to this ghostly padre and"
'Ah, but there worse things even than ghosts
no." cried Donna Perfecta. Il have forgotten to
tell you Donna Pacida Vallejo told only thees
morning Twice, perhaps more times than twice, the
stage from the new mine across the hills at Rands-
burg has been stopped right at the head of the long
hill by single man. always by single man. All the
gold had been taken each time. He tall man,
and all cen black, with mask and peestol, old
fashioned peestol, and"
But your highwayman frightens more than
your ghost, Donna Perfecta," laughed Miss Haeck
she stood up. I'D love to see either"
Even she spoke Don Jminez whispered in hot
Spanish words to his mother, If you would make
money by keeping these accused Gringos in your
house. you would do we'll not to frighten them with
past and present terrors! Did your miracle loving
Pacida tell you that it the Fra Beltempo him
self stealing the gold to make restitution to the
church," He lit another cigarette and spoke again
to Evelyn Halleck in his slow but perfect English:
MY mother and her friends must always talk!
Shall we look for the tanager:"
THEY walked slowly down the palm arched ave-
nue. and the girl realized for the first time how
far she had to raise her eyes to those of Don nez
who lowered over her by dozen inches
The letter you had to-day, he began suddenly,
the letter you had from this-ths Randsburg
was"
Don Jimnez!' The girls tone asked question
even as it expressed her surprise.
Il beg your pardon, Miss Halleck." There was no
contrition in his voice, however; rather did it hold
note of vexation. But it Donna Placida who