South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-07-11

Ramona The blessed chudt"
Father saIviederra nearing his
journeys end. cried out with JOY.
Through the golden mustard tangle
that overhung his path a dark-hair-
&c maiden came swiftly 20 meet him.
At sight OF Ramona's angelic face
the aged Franciscan forgot his
WEAKNESS. almost forgot his burden
OF grief over his beloved missions.
despOiled and crumbling. A silent
blessing, and ne followed her con-
tentcdly 20 the Moreno ranch, where
sheep-shearing had been delayed
until his visit that he might confess
the shearing band.
Before Mexico's surrender OF
'CalifOrnia. Gen. MOreno's estates
were loFdly indeed now huge por-
tons 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 man
ager. the Sonora Moreno. whom her
handsome. gentle-son Felipe obeyed
In everything and knew 10 not Yet
she never suspected that Felipe's af-
fectioi for Ramona could be more
the girl For Ramona was not OF
Moreno blood Her father was a
tempestuous Scotchman who. cruelty
Tilted by the sonora sister. married
and Indian woman. To his old love.
chndless and unhappy. he gave his
beautiful blue-eyed baby 10 rear as
hf own. AT Sonora Otegna's death
the child came as a legacy 10 Senior
Moreno. but at 19. Ramona still
ysaitec TO learn the mystery Of her
parcntare The stern, silent sonora
Would not tell
The Indian sheep-shearers arrived
az sInset. just as Ramona hurried to
the brook 90 wash an altar-cioth.
Her face aElow. she bent over the
stones ait unconscious that Alessan-
dro. Captain OF tie shearing hand.
tehOldiug her. stood spell-bound
When Father Salvierderra led the
household sunrise hymn next morn
ing, "a new rich barytono voice
thrilled Ramona strangely.
II never heard anything like it,"
she told Felipe
THAT is AlIes9ndro. old Pahlo's
son-a splendid fellow He plays
the violin beautifully. the old San
Luis Rev music. His father wds
land-master there"
Sheep-snearing began most urfor-
tunately. Felipe. mp too soon from
long Illness. suffered q relapse
while packing the dusty feeces. Only
Alessaudr1 could soothc his dcliri-
UNI accordingly. AiessaU6ro was
persuaded 10 remain until the in
valid should recover
As Felipe improved. he lived on
the open veranda. lying on a 80
hide bed that A ieSsan drO made The
family sat near him A. ssandro.
and fidelity repose, his personal
presence always agreeable. was free
r. welcome" The vourg Indian
watched Ramona with dumb devo-
ton
such eyes" she unused. like a
saint so solemn, so mild. 7 am
sure ne IS very good" She sascd
70 regard him as an Indian. How
could she understand this new feel
iug9 Felipe was the only young man
she had ever known.
one thought possessed AlessandrO
otter cid Juan CanitO. the hcstd
shepherd. told him Of Ramona's
parentage "Tho senorita has In
dian blood The sonora loves
her rot" When Ramona went AZ the
Senoras unkindness. ne tremhled so
that Felipe read his secret.
If only my mother could think
g." reflected generous Felipe. cit
would ne best TO have Alessa ndro
stay here as Overseer. and then they
might be married"
The crisis came when Ramona's
owes dimmed with tears because she
feared AlessaudrO's father would not