The Coolidge examiner., 1938-05-19

his hands moment. then turned a
white face toward the company.
The Governor rose slowly to his
feet, his face drawn. Father" he
said harshly. what is it?" Without
a word the priest pointed out the
last words in the message. FACES
read them, and without hesitating
spoke decisively.
Come, Father. Let us go at
once. am ready. There are horses
for us, Don Jose? We are going to
Carmelo. Junipero Sierra is dying"
There was perfect silence for
moment. Outside the wind sighed
and moaned, and sea-gulls, circling.
screamed as they made their eve
ming fight to aeries among the
rocks and crags that overhung the
sea.
Dying :" someone whispered,
"Junipero Sierra dying :"
There were signs and exclama-
tons all around the table.
1T does not seem possible" ex-
claimed the Commandante.
But here is the letter. in his
own hand" replied FACES. He
turned to the messenger. WAS
there no word for me?" he asked.
The boy shook his head. FACES
tugged at his beard. his head bent.
He looked up abruptly.
You will pardon me if l leave,
Don Jose" he said, but you see
1 must. Father Palou. / will be
ready in a moment. l must change
these fiesta clothes for my old leath-
ers. And you. Don Jose. will you
see that horses. servants and food
are ready for us?"
The Commandante hesitated.
"Of course l will excuse you. But
but does your Excellency think it
is necessary to leave"-he stole
glance at La Gobernadora-"iust
now"
by heaven. yes! Nothing on earth
could keep me from going to Juni-
pero Sierra. Father, are you ready?"
The priest had been standing ST.
lently, his beads moving between
his fingers.
Ready, your Excellency. Ready
and anxious"
The guests had left their places
at the table and were gathered
about the letter which Fray Palou
had received. leaving La Goberna-
dora sitting alone, like ruby ma
donna with her child in her arms.
The Governor started to leave the
room. Then he stopped suddenly
before his wife and stared at her as
though he had forgotten her exist
ence.
"Eulalia :" he faltered.
She turned her face upward to-
ward him, and clasped the child
closer to her. She did not speak.
"Eulalia you see must CO."
Everyone was looking at them,
arrested by the sudden change in
the Governors manner.
81 do not see it," she said coldly.
You shall not CO."
81 am going"
Still he stood, though she had not
detained him even by a gesture.
The guests began moving in
shocked silence out of the room.
Eulalia saw Fray Palou going as
though to join them. She looked at
him.
do not go, please, Padre. There
is nothing we have to say that you
may not hear"
The priest bowed silently.
"You shall not go. You will stay
here with me, where you should
be-"
II should be with Junipero Ser
"a"
mo. l am your wife, flesh Of
your flesh. 1 have suffered for you.
1 have borne you children. l have
travelled over a dangerous country
that even strong men dread to face
to be by your side. And now you
are not going to leave me-"
FACES tugged at his beard.
"You do not understand a love
between men. 1 must 60"
mo, l do not understand such a
love. But if it separates you from
me at this time, | do not want to
understand it I despise it"
Her voice began rising from its
icy, controlled infections. The arms
that pressed her baby to her, trem-
bled.
What is Junipero Sierra to you.
that you should leave me, with your
newborn child in my arms, still
weak and i'll from my travail? What
is he anyway but mad old ia
Natic? Love!" she laughed contemp-
tuously. Love! All l have ever
heard between you is quarreling and
bitterness. Junipero Sierra hates and
despises you in his heart, as you do
him!"
Stung by the words she hurled at