Year: 1872

fore parting.


In the early twilight Marcellina stole out
to an olive surrounded by an adobe
wall, which lay back of the paternal man
sion. Here she stood, waiting With throb-
bing heart the arrival of her lover, while
her nurse kept watch on the other side of
the wall, ready to give the alarm, by a
signal agreed upon, should any one approach
from the house. Already the shadows lay
dark beneath the thick, low branches of the
olive-trees, and at every rustic and sound
the fair transgressor started and trembled.
Suddedly tall figure sprang over the wall,
and crept stealthily along in its shadow,
till he came close to where the waiting
maiden stood "Carlos," she cried, holding
out her trembling hands. sis it you, Mar
cellina? All, poor little one,l lhow she trem-
bles They are very cruel, darling, but We
will not be separated. They shall not take
you from me, my precious one"


And then he spoke long, low, and rapid
Iy in the beautiful Spanish language-so
exquisitely fitted for expressions of tender.
ness and endearment--telling her, that, as
her parents objected to their union on the
ground Of his poverty, he had determined
to win wealth that an old Indian, bound
to him by ties of gratitude, possessed knowl-
edge of rich mine far away among the
mountains, and to which he had promised
to guide him and his company and by
courage and SKILL he would soon return to
claim her hand from her ambitious, avari-
cious parents


"Remain true to me, Lima, and resist
their scheming. Wait for me but two
years, my darling, and if, at the end of that
time, you do not hear of me, know that |
have perished in the attempt to win you" !"


He then gave her cutting from grape
vine, telling her to carry it to her new home
and plant it, keeping it as reminder of
him, and that while it lived and fourished,
she might know he loved her and was true
to her. The cutting was in the form of a
riding whip, and as such she was to carry
it, for her journey was to be reformed on
horseback.


Vowing eternal fidelity, the lovers part
ed, and, the next morning, Don and Dona
Feliz, with their daughter and attendants,
started on their journey; while Carlos Il
Co., with their Indian guide, wended their
way, full of hope and confidence, over the
mountain trail.


Marcellina, as may he supposed, made
little use Of her grapevine switch to urge
her mustang along the weary way between
Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. Arriving
at their destination-four miles from the
Mission of Santa Barbara first act was
to plant the cutting upon the side-hill, with
many tears and prayers to the Virgin for
the success and safety of her lover.


The vine grew and fourished with won.
derful luxuriance, and gladdened the heart
of the waiting maiden, who could hardly
have borne the burden of anxiety and sus-
pense without its silent encouragement !;
for the Don and Dona had found, as they
thought, suitable companion for their
daughter, in Spaniard Of reputed great
wealth, who promised them liberal compen-
sation for her hand. He was short, of good
circumference, and grizzled with years,
but to counterbalance these defects in a
lover, his fingers and shirt front shone with
gems. Mareellina's violent opposition,
however, while it did not move them to re
nounce their purpose: induced them to
postpone the marriage, in the hope that she
would forget her former love, and become
more reconciled to their will


In the interval thus granted, the time for
the return of Carlos would expire; and
Marcellina prayed daily for the arrival of
her betrothed, with the fortune that was to
find favor 10 the eyes of her parents The
two years were rapidly drawing to close,
and yet no sign or token had come, save
what she found in the vigorous growth of
her cherished vine. At length her parents,
pressed with poverty and weary of the pro-
longed indulgence to what they considered
an idle fancy, fixed tie day for the wedding
with the suitor Of their choice, whose only
recommendation was his wealth.


The eve of Marcellina's wedding day
was tine second anniversary of the parting
In the olive grove, when Carlos told her
that If he did not return or send her word
within two years, she might know he was
dead. She had crept away from the scene
OF busy preparation within her home, and,
hiding herself beneath the shadow of her
beloved vine-which was now large enough
to shelter her from casual observation in
the uncertain gloaming-she sobbed and
wept, calling upon the Virgin, in hopeless
anguish, to take her away to the spirit
world, where she believed Carlos to be.


Approaching footsteps arrested her at
tention. She started guilty and attempt
ed to hide her tears, for she dared not let
her parents know she still mourned her
absent lover


"Lina-Linap' greeted her ears in a
familiar voice, and stayed her fight. Trsm-
bdngly she awaited the near approach of
the intruder, when with one wild, joyous
cry OF "Carlos!' she dropped into his arms,
her beautiful head pressed close to his
throbbiug heart.


1t was, indeed, Carlos, returned at last,
faithful to his promise, bringing with him
fortune at least equal to that of her aged
and detested suitor.


Carlos, with faith in his love and conf
dence in his ultimate success, followed the
Indian across the Coast Range into the
heart of the Sierras, where he proved the
honesty Of his guide and the truth Of his