The mirror., 1922-01-05
RAMONA
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saint so solemn, so mild. l am sure he is
very good" She ceased to regard him as
an Indian. How could she understand
this new feeling? Felipe was the only
young man she had ever known.
One thought possessed Alessandro after
old Juan Canito, the head shepherd, told
him of Ramonas parentage: "The SEN
orita has Indian blood. The SEN
ora loved 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, "it would be
best to have Alessandro stay here as over
seer, and then they might be married"
The crisis came when Ramona's eyes
dimmed with tears because she feared
Alessandro's father would not let him re-
main permantly on the ranch.
"Senorita!" he cried, "tears have come
into your eyes. Then you will not be
angry if say that love you'll"
81 know, Alessandro; am glad of it;
love you'll"
ooh, senorita, do you mean that you
will 60 with me? You cannot mean
that!"
eyes, I will 60 with you"
And then, as they stood locked in each
others arms, the sonora discovered them!
shameful creatures" she cried, smit-
ing Ramona's protesting lips. She hus-
tied the girl to her room and locked her
in.
Alessandro, watching sadly all that
night, heard two wood doves calling,
"Love?" "Here." "Love?" "Here."
"My Ramona is like the gentle wood
dove" thought he; "if 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 threa-
tened Ramona. The jewels which were to
be Ramona's dowry, if she married worth
lily, were no temptation. When the SEN
ora 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; II am of his
people. The jewels you can give to the
church. l shall marry Alessandro."
Felipe sent Alessandro home to Teme-
cula until the storm should blow over.
But the long-dreaded Americans in their
search for more land had just taken pos
session of that peaceful village. Dragged
out of his own house by force, Pablo died
of grief. Alessandro buried him, and
then in utter misery came back to bid
Ramona farewell.
dearest senorita l have no home,"
he faltered; my father is dead, my peo-
pie driven out of their village. am only
beggar now."
But Ramona felt no fear of privations.
"Take me with you'll" she cried. After
long pleading she over-ruled his wiser
arguments, and that night they slipped
away, with Baba, Ramona's own horse.
No trace of the lovers was found, for
those Indians who knew Alessandro's
whereabouts purposely misled inquirers;
and at San Diego, where they were mar
ried, Ramona had given Alessandro's pet
name, "Majella," to be entered on the
register.
Their first home was near Alessandro's
cousin in San Pasquale where the Indians
received Ramona gladly. She was very
happy in her new life "under the sky"
She accepted tiny brush hut as cheer
fully as the comfortable abode which
Alessandro soon built and which she
beautifed beyond belief. Gleefully she
led Baba when he plowed the first fur
rows in their fields.
Rut Alessandro's anxiety rarelv left