The Coolidge examiner., 1938-05-26
CHAPTER XVU-COntinued

When next Pedro FACES heard OF
Junipero Sierra, he was already bur
led. The days that had elapsed
from the hour that he had said an
embittered farewell to Francisco
Palou. riding through the rain to the
side of his dying brother. the Gov
ernor had spent in a silence so
great that no one had dared disturb
1t. No ne knew how far. or where,
ne travelled with only his horse as
companion. But he was seen, a
lonely figure. tragic. aloof, along
the bleak crags; sometimes walk
ing. one hand tugging his beard, the
other clenched behind him, the
faithful horse following with bent
neck. cropping at the scant grasses;
or riding furiously with the wind.
On the night Of the christening,
Ia Gobernadora took her to her
bed and did not rise from il for
days. defending herself from the
Governors black mood and despair
with fever that burned her hollow
eyed The people of the Preside of
San Francisco trod softly during the
crises Of their Governor and his
lady. The women whispered, as
kance, in corners. and took the part
of La Gobernadora in her attitude
toward her husband. But the men
remained silent, or cursed softly
when the lady's name was men,
toned.
AS though to mock Don Pedro,
wnen the news Of the Padre Presi-
dente's death arrived, the day was
clear, sparkling, as sometimes the
days are in the San Francisco coun-
try. in late August and early Sep
TENDER.
When he received the message,
Don Pedro went straight to La Cob
ernadora's room for the first time
in days. and stood before her for
mally.
He is dead" he said CURLY.
EuIalia closed her eyes. Still the
Governor stood silently. awaiting
some word from his wife. After a
while she op,-ned her eyes.
Il am sorry," she said softly. 1T
must be a relief to you to know
that it is over" She tried to sit up
right. "'Win you help me? she
asked. II think l should like to get
up today. 1t is the first time have
seen the sun for such a long time. "
i viii call Angustias ="
mo, please. You can wrap me in
a cover, and carry me outside, if
you viii" He bundled her into a
quilt, and took her in his arms with
out altering his expression. Light
as a child she was, as he carried
her outdoors. and into the golden
sunlight Servants hurried with
chairs. Angustias followed with the
baby.
Then the people of the preside
were amazed to see the Governor,
his youngest-born in his arms, sit
ting quietly beside his lady, taking
the air.
She has won him over. our beau
hful GObernadora" whispered the
women happily. "Gracias a Dios!"
But the men glowered at the do
nestle scene, and muttered, "She
has won, the zorra!"
Then all uncovered and knelt hast
lily as the bells began tolling for
the passing of Junipero Sierra.
Both men and women were wrong.
A few days later a small package
and a letter were brought to the
Governor. 1t was the last letter
Junipero Sierra had written, to be
opened after his death. And the
package Pedro FACES opened
it before he opened the letter. He
found a small square of grayish-
brown cloth, coarse and worn thin,
made into a scapular. He did not
need Francisco Palou's accompany
ing note to tell him what it was, but
held it in his hands a moment, then
opening the throat of his leather
ierkin, slipped the scapular around
his neck by its cord until the blessed
scrap of Junipero Serra's robe rest
ed on the strong arch of his breast.
Then he picked up the letter and
read the opening words, My be-
loved son
II was obviously the letter Of a
very sick man; one at the point of
death. The thought rambled; the
sentences staggered up and down.
hill. He spoke Of hours they had
spent together on the march, Of
the hundred little black heaps. scat
tered the length Of California which
had been camp-fres they had
shared.
IF I had been soldier, or you a
priest" he had written at one point,
II could have understood you bet
ter, Pedro my son. but / could not
have loved you more"
During all the perusal, the Gov
ernor's eyes had been filed with
tears, so that he had many times
to dry them. But at the last para
graph a fash of rage dried the
tears
When all else had fallen away
from me-" said the faint lines, Il
aad hoped that your faithful wife
.1l ...o,ao1ieb that which was