The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-12-01
XII AMONA! The bless d
childw Father Salvierder-


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 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 he
more than brotherly; she had never
loved the girl. For Ramona was not
az 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, RAJ
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.
'T never heard anything like it," she
told Felipe.
"That is Alessandro, old Pablo'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, M too soon from
long illness, suffered a relapse while
packing the dusty fleeces. Only Ales-
sandro could soothe his delirium; ac-
cordingly, Alessandro was persuaded
to remain until the invalid should re-
cover.
AS Felipe improved. he lived on the
open veranda, lying on rawhide bed
that Alessandro made. The family
sat near him. Alessandro, too, ''his
music q delight, his strength and fidel-
ity a repose. his personal presence
always agreeable, was freely welcome"
The young Indian watched Ramona
with dumb devotion.
: "Such eyes," she unused. like
saint, so solemn. so mild. I am sure
he is very good" She ceased to re-
gard him as an Indian. How could
she understand this new feelingf
Felipe was the only young man she
had ever known.
One thought r assessed Alessan-
dro after old JIan Canito, the
head shepherd, told him of Ramona's
parentage: "The senorita has 1ndi-
an blood. The sonora loves her
not" When Ramona wept at the
senora's unkindness, he trembled so
that Felipe read his secret.
"If only my mother could think It,"
reflected generous Felipe, at would be
best to have Alessandro stay here as
overseer, and then they might be mar
ried."
The crisis came when Ramona's eyes
dImmed with tears because she feared