The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-11-22
By FRANK n. spEARMAN


lupe. He used to say there was no
place on the whole earth like it.
He was always talking about some
thing around the place-seemed as
if he even liked the bars. Then he
turned clean over. Couldn't inter-
est him in nothing-not thing. Got
SO he wouldn't hardly open his
mouth. Then all of sudden he
was hell-bent for going back to Tex
as. 1 wouldn't go back there if
you'd give me the whole darned
republic.
"And then back the boy comes to
California after all. How some men
change their minds! What do you
think, senorita?"
"Senor Ben," exploded Carmen
suddenly, II don't think. l don't
know what's to become of US, with
all this robbing and numbering
around us. First it was the Indians.
Now it's everybody, white and red.
Do you ever hear from Senior Bow
ie?"
"Seen him last trip up at Yerba
Buena-though company says we've
got to call it San Francisco, now"
Elbow is he?"
"Just fine"
"Did he say anything about Quad
alupe?"
"Asked about everybody"
''How long was he staying in San
Francisco?"
"Only till the next boat"
Chow does he like 1t up the riv-
err"
Likes it. Who's the old Indian
woman you've got back there with
Mariar?"
"That's an old family nurse. Her
name is Monica. She has been Wis
iting my cousin at Santa Barbara,
and / am taking her up to Guada-
! lupe for a good long visit. ] haven't
seen Monica for years and years.
She's the sweetest old creature in
the world"
Carmen, with her maid and Mon
lea, left the stage at Monterey. Pc
dro met them with horses and a
carreta for the baggage for Guada-
lupe. They reached home late.
It was Monica's first visit to the
northern rancho. She was welcome
because of her long and faithful
service in the Ybarra family in the
South, and she was made to feel at
home everywhere in the big family
circle.
Carmen was especially attached
to her old nurse and for few days
devoted herself to showing Monica
the features Of the princely domain.
Only one thing troubled Monica. She
was mentally alert-Carmen could
detect no change in her quick ap-
prehension of everything-but her
sight was failing. Cataracts i'm
paired her vision-but not her appe-
tite for seeing everything and hear
ing everything. This was as keen
as ever. Moreover, she had fund
of interesting anecdotes and remi-
niscences-at least, Carmen found
her intensely interesting and often
kept Monica in her bedroom at night
to listen to her stories.
Like most old people, Monica rose
early-much earlier than the house
hold. But she had the freedom of
the house as well as of the serv-
ants quarters and wandered freely
where she would.
On a morning that Carmen long
remembered Monica gave her a
great shock. It was so terrible to
Carmen that she was PROSTATE for
the day. It was wintertime and
cold. The houseboy had log fire
in the living-room CRATE. Monica,
looking for a place to warm her
self, was on hand and promised to
watch the fire after the boy had left
for other duties.
Carmen, whose chamber was clos
est to the living room, was awak-
ened from her sleep by piercing
scream; then followed silence.
Throwing on a wrapper, the Seno-
rita opened her door and fastened
into the big room. Monica, trem-
bling, stood looking at portrait.
"Monica!" cried Carmen. WAS
it you who screamed so?"
eyes, little one-yes. / am sorry
Yes, did scream"
"What on earth is wrong, Mon
lea? Are you ill?"
The Indian woman was breathing
hard. "Senorita," she quavered
in high-pitched voice, pointing to
the painting, "who is that mann"
"That is Senior Bowie. He was
our rancho manager here"
Monica threw all her little
strength into her cracked voice. She
was trembling with emotion and
again, as she spoke, she pointed.
my little Carmen! That is the man
who brought you back to me from
the Indians"
Monica! Dear!" Carmen stared
at her blankly. Surely you are
mistaken-your eyes :"
The Indian woman claimed down a
little. ''No! Mol I am not mistak-
en-"
Remember, Monica" persisted
Carmen, her own senses Keeling,
'you do not see as well as you once