The Coolidge examiner., 1938-03-03

| Francisco de Asis. And here Il
another pueblo, San Jose. All these
lovely places-and loveliest Of all.
the Capital of California. the Pre-
sidio of Monterey. 1t is not ter
rible country, Dona, il is a lovely
country-one of the loveliest Of the
world. where living may be Joy,
a pleasure, such as could never
be known otherWhere.
In the background de Neve snort
ed. The Viceroy came up and stood
beside the two gazing at the map.
And over all that country. one
man has been chosen as governor
one man out of all who have served
there-one man, whom all the Indi-
os, frailes and soldiers will honor.
And the wife of that man will be
received like a little queen Of the
land-wil be a queen, in her own
right. All the missions and pueb-
los and presidios will do her hon.
age-it will be her queendom."
The large gloomy room was very
still, except for the heavy breath
ing of the Viceroy. and the street
noises that filtered in through the
windows.
Eulalia put her hand on her
breast. "You mean that Pedro
that THAT we"
Romeu nodded.
,Eulalia screamed. Angustias
rushed to her side.
II won'ti / never will go therel
That barbarous place! No! This
Mexico City is bad enough after
Barcelona-but California-Monte-
reyl No! AnguStias, take me homel
l don't believe Pedro is governor
you are lying to me-deceiving me
you old-old-fools!
"Senora, you do not realize what
you are doing" interjected de Neve.
~ assure you California is a mar
velous Iand-a land that in time will
be looked upon with envy by all the
nations of earth-and which will at
tract millions from all over the
world-a land of commerce and ac-
complishment. 1t is your fate, your
destiny to go there"
''Ai, what do | care for its COM
merce-its accomplishment"
Romeu spoke thoughtfuIly.
"Certainly-but it would be nice
in future days to know that genera
tions yet unborn will say when they
con the history of that country you
so despised. Lovely Dona Eulalia de
FACES! The first First Lady Of all
the CaIifornias!' For you will be.
you know. No other lady Of quality
has set foot in the land. Wives OF
petty officers, soldiers women. yes
but none like yourself" He con-
cluded with sweeping bow.
Now that is more interesting,
Captain Romeu. The first First La
dy. That would be very amusing.
/ am sorry l can not do it.
That is just what you will be.
Sonora. AS for Don Pedro-what
his life will be, who can say? OF
course he is a devoted husband-a
man of honor-but who can say
where his loneliness will lead him
during those years apart from your
fascinating self"
At this Eulalia rose definitely to
her feet. You are tricking mel
You have just told me there were
no women in California"
81 did not say that, Senora-L
said there were no ladies. Women,
ah, yes-young Indian girls-quite
attractive, and er-quite careless as
to clothing-and in whom, alas.
the holy fathers have not as yet
been able to plant the seeds OF de-
cency."
How dare you. General de Neve!
You, Pedro's old friend, to speak Of
him this way! Slandering him!"
Pardon, Sonora. | do no such
thing. l was simply pointing out
the characteristics of the present
population of California.
Eulalia's heart pounded, and she
laid her hand on her bosom. Turn
ing away from the window she
leaned back, black butterfly
against the red velvet hanging.
/Tn RF CONTINTJEDJ