Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1921-11-11
EEn AMONAl The blessed
childI" Father Salvierder-
- "a nearing his iournev'S


end, cried with joy. Through the gold
en- mustard tangle that overhung his
path dark-haired maiden came swift
ly to meet him. At sight of Ramona s
angelic face the aged Franciscan for
got his WEAKNESS, almost forgot his
burden of grief over his beloved mis-
sions, despoiled and crumbling. A ST.
lent blessing, and he followed her con
tentedly to the Moreno ranch, where
strengthening 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 general's
widow revenged her losses by de-
nouncing all Americans as hounds .
A marvellous manager, the Sonora Mo-
reno, whom her handsome, gentle son
Felipe obeyed in everything and knew
1t not Yet she never suspected that
Felipe's affection for Ramona could be
more than brotherly; she had never
loved the girl. For Ramona was not
of Moreno blood. Her father was a
tempestuous Scotchman, who, cruelty
Tilted by the senora's sister, married
an Indian woman. To his old love,
childless and unhappy, he gave his
beautiful blue-eyed baby to rear as
her own. At Sonora Ortegna's death
the child came as legacy to
Sonora Moreno, but at nineteen, Ra-
mona still waited to learn the mystery
of her parentage. The stern, silent
sonora would not tell.
The Indian sheep-shearers arrived
at sunset, just as Ramona hurried to
the brook to wash an altar-cloth. Her
face aglow, she bent over the stones,
all unconscious that Alessandro, cap
tain of the shearing band, beholding
her, stood spellbound.
When Father Salvierderra led the
household sunrise hymn next. morn
ing. a new rich barytone voice thrilled
Ramona strangely.
ST never heard anything like it," she
told Felipe.
saThat is Alessandro, old Pahlo's son
"a splendid fellow. He plays the vio-
lin beautifully, the old San Luis Rey
music. His father was bandmaster
there"
strengthening began most unfor-
tunately. Felipe, up too soon from a
long illness, suffered relapse while
packing the dusty fieeces. Only Ales-
Sandro could soothe his delirium ac-
cordingly, Alessandro was persuaded
to remain until the invalid should re-
cover.
AS Feline improved, he lived on the
omen veranda, lying on rawhide bed
that Alessandro made. The family
sat near him. Alessandro, too. mis-
music a delight, his strength and fidel-
ity a repose. his personal presence
alvays agreeable, was freely welcome.
rbe Young Indian watched Ramona
with dumb devotion.
"Such eyes, she unused, like a
saint. so solemn, so mild. am sure
he is very good" She ceased TO re-
gard him as an inuidu. IL"
She understand this new feellngf
Felipe was the only young man she
had ever known.
one thought possessed Aessan-
dro after old Juan Canito. the
head shepherd. told him of Ramona S
narentage: s'The senorita has Indi-
On blood. The sonora loves her
not. When Ramona wept at the
sanora's unkindness, he trembled SO
that Felipe read his secret.
eff only my mother could think IT.
reflected generous Felipe. sit would be
hest to have Alessandro stay here as
oyerseer, and then they might be mar
RED"
The crisis came when Ramona's eyes
a,mmed with tears because she feared