Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-07-14
THE UNKNOWN GUEST
By ANDREW c. EWING.

Wnen Fremont, the Patn0nuer, De-
came hero from crossing those noun
Gains 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
20 become the Golden State. One of
the Spaniards. Don Emilio Estilio,
built himself fine house in Santa
Barbara 1t was designed after a
Roman villa, with court and foun-
cain 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
Hood. Like Robin, who is supposed
60 have been a nobleman. Corello was
. gentleman. and. though be robbed
tbe rich, be gave largely to the poor
When Don Estillo's house was fin
ished he opened it with grand en-
tertainment, at which all the distin-
guished families for miles around
were present 1t was brilliant scene.
In the patio, or court within circle
OF tropical plants, was band of per-
formers, who sang and played while
the guests, heated by the dance. We're
ho NJ = SnanfSh CnCj1l
customs for the amusement Of the
guests have been adopted by the blue
bloods OF California. Don Estillo's
guests were provided with ,eggshells
filled with silver or gold tinsel or per-
fumery, which were broken over tha
heads of ladies whom the men wished
60 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 be 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-
cordanee with the customs regulating
invitations, for be was evidently
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-
Quiring introductions, were glad to re-
ceive 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 gigan-
tic palm. There they remained so long
that the hostess, requiring her daugh-
&er'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-
Samente. 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. Nc
sooner did the Judge look straight be-
lore him than his eyes became riyeted
on Donna Inez's cavalier 1t 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.
VIII you honor me with an intro
uuction to my vis-a-vis?"
Don Estillo, not knowing the mans
meme. looked confused.
The stranger rose and said: ladies
and gentlemen, far be it from me to
compromise SO charming host as Don