San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-12

tent ldHu dCIoSS lhc iOANNA' $1,000
broken and dispossessed by the war
ring factions that destroyed their
own and got nowhere, the sick in
mind and soul and body-these came
TO the doors of Refugio and none was
turned away.
For at those doors stood Father
Hillaire, who for 40 years had watch
ed the stretching plains. He had
seen some piteous things, and more
that were tragic. and some that were
bright with faith and courage and
everlasting fidelity-such as John
lannon's love for his blind wife
and he was gentle with understand
ing.
But those who came to the Mission
must work, for Father Hillaire was
poor in worldly goods and the scant
fare that was so free on the long
board in the great bare living room
behind the church must be taken
from the soil with unceasing. labor.
Frijoles grew on the level stretches
across the stearm and few bands
of cattle ran on the open range,
while sturdy grapes purpled on the
wall that dasped the garden. Brown
bread and milk and simple home
made wine, and the frijoles always,
these waited the conner at the Mis-
sion steps, be it dawn or dark or in
the dead .of night. But sometimes
the slices Of the dark bread were
thin, the tea strongly favored with
sage. for gold came scarcely TO the
PADRES coffess in these days.
The sun went down toward the
west and the long blue shadows
started out across the level floor
from the lone shafts of stone and
the table lands of the mesas, and the
little wind began to whisper from
the south, while the wondrous colors
came sitting through the light.
These colors had been to Father
Hillaire one of the priceless posses
sions of his life, gift of God in all
truth, wonderful healing and in
spiration.
Never was the day so dark, the fu-
ture so uncertain, but that his bur-
dened heart found peace and hope in
their beholding.
Today, as they flushed the high
vault above the garden, Father Hill
laire shut his beloved books and rose
to greet them.
In that instant there came the
sound of the long-roll of running
horse upon the distant plain.
He hurried to the opening in the
high wall where the great gates
turned back upon it and looked
eagerly out. For moment pucker
of concentration drew in between his
brows, then smoothed away as the
chaming smile came upon his features.
"Ah." he said aloud, delightedly,
"Velantrie !"
1t could be no other.
There was not in the land another
pair like the two who came skim
ming forward like a swallow, the
man and the horse-there could not
be. They seemed not two but one,
so perfectly did they blend together
in motion and appearance. The rider
carried his broad black hat in his
hand and the wind of their coming
blew the black hair back from his
white forehead and his face was
bright with laughter to greet the old
priest in the gate.
Father :" he cried as the great red
horse Numbered up to slide in the
dust and stop with his launches to
the earth, his fiery eyes a-shine in
his broad bay face, Padre Ave.'
He flung himself from the saddle
and caught the PADRES hands in
both his own, pumping them up and
down, boy fashion.
"My son - said Father Hillaire,
gladly, searching the sparkling face.
"Son-son. 1t has been long, long
since Refugio has seen you. Come
in. Have you eaten?"
Not since yesterday, but what
matters?"
He laid his arm affectionately about
the old mans shoulders and turned
toward the garden. carefully gather
ing the bride rein he had not loosed.
SO they entered the garden, draw
ing the great red stallion after, and
the father stopped and securely
closed the gates.
"Bonifacio," he called into the
depths where the shadows were al
ready falling, "come and take The
Comet. Give him." he continued as
slim youth came briskly up
through the wasatcha trees, "a little
water-not much--and rub him
down well. Then a feed from the
bins in the north stable. Keep watch
upon him thyself until / CALL"
nueLv xyon,ap THAR foroe y,,oak