The Coolidge examiner., 1938-03-03

crimson leather and was swinging
a small satin-shod foot and silken
ankle nervously back and forth. Il
have had a mysterious letter from
Don Pedro. and he told me, Don
Felipe. that you would have news
for me. Then when his Excellency
invites me here this morning, | am
more mystifed. You are looking
wonderfully well, Don Felipe, for
one who has spent such long time
in that terrible country-that Cali
fornia."
Romeu looked whimsically at the
Viceroy who was twitching at his
lace ruffleS.
Thank you, Dona EulaIia. It Is
a miracle that 1 look we'll. for you
are right, it is terrible country"
Signing lugubriously he looked at
the fidgeting Mayorga. LAS for the
mysterious news. his Excellency
will tell you of it."
"Er-er-not at all-General-that
is your privilege-as Don Pedro's
old and valued friend, will give
you that privilege" He began to
pace rapidly back and forth. look
ing furtively from the map Of Cali
fornia to Dona Eulalia's cream
white face. shadowed in its black
lace.
De Neve rose. Your Excellency.
l defer to your higher position.
Yours is the honcr-the privilege"
Mayorga ran a finger around his
tight collar, and grew little red
above its gilt and purple. Ter
no"
Captain Romeu gave dry chuckle.
''Dona Eulalia, the honor which
has befallen Don Pedro is so great.
and will so affect your future, that
l think | will ask permission Of the
General and his Excellency to break
it to you myself"
"Yesl" exclaimed the two at
once.
VERY we'll Come. Oona, and
give me your hand" In bewilder-
ment she entrusted her fingers to
the gentle urging of the Captain.
who drew her over to the map.
This" he said. lis a map Of
California of both CALIFORNIA;.
Baja and Alta. Here, in Baja Cali
fornia we see little Loreto-the Jes-
uit missionaries founded this-but
your ears and throat tell me you
know also it produces the finest
pearls in the world Verdad?"
She smiled. This was language
she understood.
Very well. We will leave Baja
California and go on to Alta Cali
fornia-just jump-thus-and we
find the Mission San Diego de AL
cala-the first to be built In Alta
California already the soil has
been blessed with a martyrs blood
then we find San Juan Capistrano,
In a beautiful. beautiful spot--and
so on up we find San Gabriel Arc
angel. All. that is the busy place
everyone going into or out Of Cali
fornia stops there-it is quite lit
tie metropolis"
Dona Eulalia was becoming in
terested in spite of herself Your
finger passed over something here"
she exclaimed. near San Gabriel
what Is that?"
Romeu peered closely. That?
Oh. that is just one of the two pueb-
los-de Neve's pets. That Is the
Pueblo de Nuestra Sonora la Reina
de Los Angeles de Porciuncula. Los
Angeles. they call it. A filthy. tiny
place-scarcely noticed beside the
mission settlement Of San Gabriel"
De Neve interrupted.
"Romeu. you falsify. That place
will be. some day, the greatest"
''De Neve. do you wish to COM
plete the lady's geography lesson?"
De Neve subsidized
Come. come, CAPTAIN" ex-
claimed Dona Eulalia. What is the
meaning of all this? l tremble with
anticipation-or apprehension"
"Ah, yes. Pardon my digressions.
But here is San Buenaventura, on
the blue Pacific. San Luis Obispo.
San Antonio de Padua. San Carlos
Borromeo, Santa Clara and San