The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-10-10

ney's end, cried out with Joy. Through
the golden mustard tangle that over
hung his path, dark-haired maiden
came swiftly to meet him. At sight of
Ramona's angelic face the aged Fran
ciscan forgot his WEAKNESS, almost
forgot his burden Of grief over his
beloved Missions, despOiled and crum
bling. A silent blessing. and he fol
lowed her cOntentedly to the Moreno
ranch, where sheep-shearing had been
delayed until his visit that he might
confess the shearing band.
Before Mexico's surrender OF Cali
fornia, General Moreno's estates were
lordly indeed; now huge portions had
been Topped away by the United
States Land Commission, and the
generals widow revenged her losses
by denouncing all Americans as
hounds "A marvellous manager. the
Sonora Moreno, whom her handsome,
gentle son Felipe obeyed in everything
and knew it not. Yet she never sus-
pected that Felipes affection for Ra-
mona could be more than brotherly:
she had never loved the girl. For
Ramona was not of Moreno blood.
Her father was tempeStuous Scotch
man who, cruelty Tilted b. the Sc
nora'S sister, married an Indian wOn-
an. To his cd love. childleSs and I'm
happy, he gave his beautiful bluo-eyed
BAH to rear as her own At Sonora
OTtcGna's death the child came as a
legacy to Sonora Moreno, but at nine
teen. Ramona stiil waited TO learn the
mystery Of her parentage. The stern.
silent Sonora would not tell.
The Indian shecp-shearcrs arrived
sr,I
the brook to wash an altar-cloth. Her
face aelow, she bent over the stones,
all unconscious that Allesard-o, cap
tain of the shearing band, beholding
her, stood spell-bound
When F2ther SalVicrderra led the
household sunrise hymn next morning
a new rich BARITONE voice thrilled
Ramona strangely.
II mover heard anything like it -
she told Felipe.
That is Alcssandro, old Pablo's son
"A splendid fellow. He plays the
violin beautifully, the old San Luis
Rey music, His father was b2ndmas-
ter there"
strengthening began most unfor-
tunately. FilipH. UP too soon from a
long Illness, suffered relapse while
packing the dusty fleeCes. Only AL
essandro could sOothe his d2lirium.
Accordingly Alcs. andre was persuad-
Cd 70 remain until the invalid could
recover.
A. Filipo improved, he lived on tho
open ycranda, lying on a raw-hido
bed that Aiessa-dro made. The fam
lily sat near him. Alessandro, too,
his music Il delight. his strength and
fidelity a ropose, his personal presence
always agreeable, vas f.col:, vel
como" Tn" Eoung Indian watched
Ramona with dumb devotion.
such eyes" me unused, like a
saint, so solemn. 80 mild. ! am sure
he is Very good" She ceased TO re
gard hua as IN indian. How could
she understand Ills new feelingo Fe-
liDe was Nh" only young man she had
ever known.
Ono Thought possessed Alessandro
after old Juan Canifo, the head shep-
herd, told him oi Ramona's parcntage:
The S, norita has Indian blood.
The Sonora loves her not" When
Ramona wcpt at the Senord'a unlind-
ness. he trembIcd so MAT Felipe read
his secret.
"Ie only M mother could think it,,
reflected generous Feiipo, 1t would
be best to have Aie*sanlro stay here
as overeccr and then they might be
married"
The crisis came when Ramona's
eyes dimnod with tears because she
feared Alcsaanlro's father would not
let MIN remain permanently on the
ranch.
"Serorita," he cried. tears have
come into your eyes. Then you Will
not BE- angry if I say that l love YOU y
Il know. Alca5&ndro; l am glad OF
1t: I love you!
90 Senorita, 60 sou mean that you
will 20 with me? You cannot mean
that"
Yes. I will go with you"
And then, as they stood locked in
each others arms, the Sonora discov-
cred them!
shameful creature" she cried,
shifting Ramona'S protesting lips. She
hustled the girl to her room and
locked her in
Alessandro, watching sadly all that
night, heard two wood-dores calling,
Love-" Here" "Love?' Here"
my Ramona is Ike the gentle wood
dove" thought he, III she is my wife,
my people will call her Majel, the
WOOd-DOVe.'
In vain Felipe tried TO persuade his
mother. In vain she coaxed and
threatened Ramona. The jewels which
were to be Ramona's dowry, If she
married worthily, were no temptation.
When the SOrOra sCOrnfully declared,
Your mother was an Indian, low
common Indian" the girl was truly
glad.
Why do you object to my marrying
Alessandro?" she demanded; Il am
of his people. The jewels you can
give to the church. shall marry AL
essandro."
Felipe sont Alessandro homo to
Temecula until the storm should blow
over. But the long-dreaded Americans
in their search for more land had just
taken possession of that peaceful vii
lage. Dragged out Of his own house