Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1921-12-02
<<D AMONAi The blesse d
X child" Father Salvierder-
- - ra uaa~snc hts io,,r,axrss,

<<D AMONAi The blesse
child" Father Salvierder-
ra, nearing his journeys
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
sheep-shearing had been delayed until
his visit, that he might confess the
shearing band.
Before Mexico's surrender Of Cali
fornia. General Moreno 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 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 o.
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. behoiding
her, stood spellbound.
When Father Salvierderra led the
household sunrise hymn next morn
ing, new rich barytone voice thrilled
Ramona strangely.
ST never heard anything like it." she
told Felipe.
s'That is Alessandro, old Pablo's sor
Ia splendid fellow. He plays the VIC
lin beautifully. the old San Luis Reg
music. His father was bandmastel
there"
strengthening began most unfor
tunately. Felipe, up too soon from
long Illness, suffered relapse while
packing the dusty fleeces. Only Aies
sandro could soothe his delirium; &C
cordingly. Alessandro was persuaded
to remain until the invalid should re
cover.
AS Felipe improved, he lived on tn
open veranda, lying on rawhide be-
that Alessandro made. The famil
sat near him. Alessandro, too, "hi
music delight, his strength and fidel
Z ity a repose, his personal presenc
always agreeable, was freely welcome.
The young Indian watched Ramon
with dumb devotion.
"Such eyes," she unused, like
saint, so solemn, SO mild. / am sur
he is very good" She ceased to r.
gard him as an Indian. How coul
she understand this new feeling
Felipe was the only young man sh
had ever known.
One thought possessed AlessaI
dro after old \ Juan Canito, tt
head shepherd. told him Of Ramona
parentage: "The senorita has Ind
an blood. The sonora loves N
not" When Ramona wept at tn
senora's unkindness. he trembsed
that Felipe ID his secret.
IF only my |her could think II
reelected generous iipe, ut would
best to have Alessandro stay here
0verseer. and then they might be ma
Red
The crisis came when Ramona's ey
6lmmo1 with tears because shs fear