The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1938-03-10

sion Santa Barbara, and you will
be my help. Yes, am sure of it'll"
His eyes were cleaning. Eulalia
rubbed her hands restlessly before
the fire.
Father" she began, then hest
tated. ''Father, what stands in the
way of founding that mission?"
Nothing! The time has been long
ripe for it. Nothing stands in the
way. But there is one man that
does"
He stopped abruptly, and looked
sternly at La Gobernadora. Beneath
his glance, she stirred and gather
ing up her needlework crumpled it
in her nervous fingers.
II need not ask you who that is.
I I feel that it is my
husband. Am I right, Father?
$50 you know it then? Yes, it is
he, Sonora. The Governor himself,
that proud rash man, who arrogant
ly believes his vain temporal power
can stop the progress of Mother
Church. And that, he must learn to
his sorrow, he can not dol"
Eulalia shivered.
eyes, he must learn that. But
how am I to help him, and you,
and the Church," she asked.
Daughter" said the priest ear
nestly, ''you are as close to Don
Pedro as his very heart. You know
how to reach him. And as a pious
God-fearing woman, true daugh-
ter of the Church, your prayers will
surely be heard. He must be made
to see that plans must 60 forward
swiftly for Santa Barbara. You must
make him see that. I, it seems,
can not reach him, through any
channel, though he has my pray
ers."
"And if 1 can not reach him,
Padre. What them"
"Then there must be someone
else!"
Eulalia took a deep breath.
"You mean someone else in
his placer"
''There is no other way. The Gov
ernor of California must be a man
willing to aid and succor the Church
at every step. And Don Pedro
FACES, unless you can influence him,
Sonora, is not that man."
La Gobernadora was trembling.
When she tried to speak, her voice
was lost. With an effort she con-
trolled herself.
GNThnr fhof xxyNYr1I
leaving Californian" she asked in
almost whisper.
"That would mean his leaving Cal
ifornia. All, Sonora, if it comes to
that, would you be willing, after all
the long wearisome journey you
have made to this place, to leave
it? For the sake of our Holy Mother
church,"
Eulalia lifted her head with a deep
breath. She faced the missionary's
questioning eyes, that cleaned into
hers, bright with fires of new hope.
Then she averted her head, and
looked into the fire, answering, 81
would, for the sake of Holy Mother
Church"
Sierra lifted his hand toward her
in a gesture of blessing.
''The Holy Mother bless you for
that!" he exclaimed in a happy
voice. "God will reward you for
your unselfshness!"
Eulalia dared not raise her eyes.
That guilty feeling, which had as
sailed her at her first meeting with
the holy man made it impossible for
her to look at him, even to speak.
The priest rose slowly.
''Now / must depart, Sonora Ia
Gobernadora. It has been a happy
visit with you, my good daughter.
My heart is lighter for it. God has
answered my prayers in sending
you here to intercede with the Gov
ernor for me how I am count
ing on your help, Sonora. Some
thing will be done now, I know. l
have sent messages to the Viceroy
begging for more help for the Mis-
sion Santa Barbara. He may grant
it he may deny it. But if he
denies it, it will need the influence
of the Governor to bring things
about. And there is where you will
help"
Junipero Sierra sighed. 81 still
have some temporal, some worldly
influence, Sonora. And if I must,
I will use it, to justify my just and
holy !:o! plans"
The priest moved toward the door,
where Angustias awaited to usher
him out.
"But I will only use that, and
very much against my will, if every
other channel, and your gentle in
fiuence, fails. All, but would hate
to! I do not know if you can under
stand how feel toward Don Pedro;
how, although we differ on every
point in life, I admire, respect, yes,
love him, as a friend even
brother" His voice trembled, and
his eyes misted. ''That is why all
this hurts me so deeply, so mortal
ly, for love the man. All, well,
you do not understand. Tell his
Excellency for me, that he has my
sincere, earnest prayers, and to lis
ten to his wife's gentle counsel.
Will you, Senora?"
The lady nodded dumbly.
"Adios, Sonora la Gobernadora."
Again he blessed the house and, fol-
lowed by Pho, was soon swallowed
up in the fog.
When he had gone, Eulalia pulled
closer to the fire. She cast her sew
ing impatiently on the floor.
"Escabellito!" she called sudden
ly, "where are you, little imp?
Come, get here where you belong!"
L. L