The Coolidge examiner., 1938-06-30
Mistress Of Monterey
OircJinia Stivers Bartlett 'sss.""" @ss%"..

near. Heat shimmered from the
earth. but the Governor Of Califor-
MIA shivered.
Yes. it was the vendimia. Why
not? She was his So utterly his.
And he needed her so. Not only his
body, but his mind and spirit called
for the fulflment blending with
her would bring But he fought the
girls witchcraft, and she sensed it.
Il know. 1t is your woman. La
Gobernadora. Pah!" she spat.
That white one. That cold cruel
| Spaniardl Listen!" She leaned for
ward eagerly. Il know what hap
pened when the Frenchmen were
here! I know who brought La Cob
ernadora through the gates of the
preside the night before the
Frenchmen sailed! We can do away
with her!" She laughed triumphant
ly. Look" She slipped her hand
in her bosom and brought out a lit
tie sack of skin. 1t was dry and
something ratified in it.
'Lookl This is magic. l got it
from a witch woman. 1t is strong
medicine If l will can make her
wither away and die and
then ="
| The Governor unconSclouSly put
his hand beneath his leather jerkin.
"Junipero Sierra :" ne muttered,
feeling the scrap of sanctifed cloth.
He closed his lids to shut out the
warm wonder Of the Indian girls
eyes.
Go away" he said gutturauy.
please. Indizuela. if you love NE.
! go away"
The girl did not move. 1t was
the Governor who rose on unsteady
feet and staggered like drunken
man toward the fiesta.
In spite Of the priests NOV
ing about in their somber habits,
the vendimia seemed a pagan festi-
val Beneath the ancient live-oaks,
crowd of merrymakers celebrated
the vintage in manner traditional.
Among them Don Pedro noticed
his guests from the Preside at San
/ Francisco and Santa Barbara. and 8
group Of officers and sailors from
the San Carlos which lay in Monte
rey Bay. Their heads were
wreathed with vines, and they were
drinking wine from the last vintage.
singing, laughing, dancing; uttering
robust jokes. circling around the
barbecue pits where Shaving cooks
we're lifting the savory roasted bull
and hacking it into pieces.
Near by was the great vat where
the grapes were poured to be
crushed A little stream ran near
it, and there, all who wished 10
tread the wine washed their feet.
then plunged into the purple pool
with jocund shouts.
On a rough dais. beneath a ra-
! mada, sat La Gobernadora sur
rounded by young laughing officers.
who Wed with one another in COM
posing hattering toasts to her beau
ty. her wit, her distinguished posi-
ton as Queen of the CALIFORNIA;
| She was dressed in the Maja cos
tune, in her lap a great basket of
grapes, and on her head wreath Of
grape leaves. At her feet a soldier
sat. his head tied in a scarlet hand
kerchief, and across his knees a
guitar He was singing a song TO
her, and she smiled, as Don Pedro
watched. and lifted her glass to the
troubador.
Don Pedro stared at Eulalia curl
ously, as though he had never seen
her before. She seemed happy. This
was what she loved. craved, after
all; hattery, admira ton, adulation.
He stopped uncertainty. For a mo-
ment he thought he would turn and
go back to the brown ardent Indian
girl who still waited for him be-
meath the quiet sheltering tree. But
young Pedro, watching the carving
of the bull meat, saw him.
There he isl" ne shouted. Now
We can have the feastl"
So the Governor was drawn TN
willingly into the festivities.
ITO BE CONTINUED