CONTENTS
ATTHEMISSIONOFSANCARMEL
ABLUEGRASSPENELOPE
LEFTOUTONLONESTARMOUNTAIN
ATTHEMISSIONOFSANCARMEL
PROLOGUE
Itwasnoonofthe10thofAugust，1838。ThemonotonouscoastlinebetweenMontereyandSanDiegohadsetitshardoutlinesagainstthesteadyglareoftheCalifornianskyandthemetallicglitterofthePacificOcean。Thewearysuccessionofrounded，dome—likehillsobliteratedallsenseofdistance;therarewhalingvesselorstillrarertrader，driftingpast，sawnochangeintheserustyundulations，barrenofdistinguishingpeakorheadland，andbaldofwoodedcrestortimberedravine。Thewitheredranksofwildoatsgaveadullprocessionofuniformcolortothehills，unbrokenbyanyreliefofshadowintheirsmooth，roundcurves。Asfarastheeyecouldreach，seaandshoremetinonebleakmonotony，fleckedbynopassingcloud，stirredbynosignoflifeormotion。Evensoundwasabsent;theAngelus，rungfromtheinvisibleMissiontowerfarinland，wasdrivenbackagainbythesteadynorthwesttrades，thatforhalftheyearhadsweptthecoastlineandleftitabradedofallumbrageandcolor。
Buteventhismonotonysoongavewaytoachangeandanothermonotonyasuniformanddepressing。Thewesternhorizon，slowlycontractingbeforeawallofvapor，byfouro’clockhadbecomeamerecold，steelystripofsea，intowhichgraduallythenortherntrendofthecoastfadedandwaslost。Asthefogstolewithsoftstepsouthward，alldistance，space，character，andlocalityagainvanished;thehillsuponwhichthesunstillshoneborethesamemonotonousoutlinesasthosejustwipedintospace。Lastofall，beforetheredsunsanklikethedescendinghost，itgleameduponthesailsofatradingvesselcloseinshore。Itwasthelastobjectvisible。Adampbreathbreatheduponit，asofthandpassedovertheslate，thesharppencillingofthepicturefadedandbecameaconfusedgraycloud。
Thewindandwaves，too，wentdowninthefog;thenowinvisibleandhushedbreakersoccasionallysentthesurfoverthesandinaquickwhisper，withgraveintervalsofsilence，butwithnocontinuousmurmurasbefore。Inacurvingbightoftheshorethecreakingofoarsintheirrowlocksbegantobedistinctlyheard，buttheboatitself，althoughapparentlyonlyitslengthfromthesands，wasinvisible。
\"Steady，now;wayenough。\"Thevoicecamefromthesea，andwaslow，asifunconsciouslyaffectedbythefog。\"Silence！\"
Thesoundofakeelgratingthesandwasfollowedbytheorder，\"Sternall！\"fromtheinvisiblespeaker。
\"Shallwebeachher？\"askedanothervaguevoice。
\"Notyet。Hailagain，andalltogether。\"
\"Ahhoy——oi——oi——oy！\"
Therewerefourvoices，butthehailappearedweakandineffectual，likeacryinadream，andseemedhardlytoreachbeyondthesurfbeforeitwassuffocatedinthecreepingcloud。Asilencefollowed，butnoresponse。
\"It’snousetobeachherandgoashoreuntilwefindtheboat，\"
saidthefirstvoice，gravely;\"andwe’lldothatifthecurrenthasbroughtherhere。Areyousureyou’vegottherightbearings？\"
\"Asnearasamancouldoffashorewithnotablastedpinttotakehisbearingsby。\"
Therewasalongsilenceagain，brokenonlybytheoccasionaldipofoars，keepingtheinvisibleboat—headtothesea。
\"Takemywordforit，lads，it’sthelastwe’llseeofthatboatagain，orofJackCranch，orthecaptain’sbaby。\"
\"ItDOESlookmightyqueerthatthepaintershouldslip。JackCranchain’tthemantotieagrannyknot。\"
\"Silence！\"saidtheinvisibleleader。\"Listen。\"
Ahail，sofaintanduncertainthatitmighthavebeenthelong—
deferred，far—offechooftheirown，camefromthesea，abreastofthem。
\"It’sthecaptain。Hehasn’tfoundanything，orhecouldn’tbesofarnorth。Hark！\"
Thehailwasrepeatedagainfaintly，dreamily。Totheseamen’strainedearsitseemedtohaveanintelligentsignificance，forthefirstvoicegravelyresponded，\"Aye，aye！\"andthensaidsoftly，\"Oars。\"
Thewordwasfollowedbyasplash。Theoarsclickedsharplyandsimultaneouslyintherowlocks，thenmorefaintly，thenstillfainter，andthenpassedoutintothedarkness。
Thesilenceandshadowbothfelltogether;forhoursseaandshorewereimpenetrable。Yetattimestheairwassoftlymovedandtroubled，thesurroundinggloomfaintlylightenedaswithamistydawn，andthenwasdarkagain;ordrowsy，far—offcriesandconfusednoisesseemedtogrowoutofthesilence，and，whentheyhadattractedthewearyear，sankawayasinamockingdream，andshowedthemselvesunreal。Nebulousgatheringsinthefogseemedtoindicatestationaryobjectsthat，evenasonegazed，movedaway;
therecurringlapandrippleontheshinglesometimestookuponitselfthesemblanceoffaintarticulatelaughterorspokenwords。
Buttowardsmorningacertainmonotonousgratingonthesand，thathadformanyminutesalternatelycheatedandpiquedtheear，asserteditselfmorestrongly，andamoving，vacillatingshadowinthegloombecameanopaqueobjectontheshore。
Withthefirstraysofthemorninglightthefoglifted。Astheundrapedhillsonebyonebaredtheircoldbosomstothesun，thelonglineofcoaststruggledbacktolifeagain。Everythingwasunchanged，exceptthatastrandedboatlayuponthesands，andinitssternsheetsasleepingchild。
CHAPTERI。
The10thofAugust，1852，broughtlittlechangetothedullmonotonyofwind，fog，andtreelesscoastline。Onlytheseawasoccasionallyfleckedwithracingsailsthatoutstrippedtheold，slow—creepingtrader，orwasattimesstreakedandblurredwiththetrailingsmokeofasteamer。Therewereafewstrangefootprintsonthosevirginsands，andafreshtrack，thatledfromthebeachovertheroundedhills，droppedintotheboskyrecessesofahiddenvalleybeyondthecoastrange。
ItwasherethattherefectorywindowsoftheMissionofSanCarmelhadforyearslookeduponthereverseofthatmonotonouspicturepresentedtothesea。Itwasherethatthetradewinds，shornoftheirfuryandstrengthintheheated，oven—likeairthatrosefromthevalley，losttheirwearywayinthetangledrecessesofthewoodedslopes，andbreathedtheirlastatthefootofthestonecrossbeforetheMission。Itwasonthecrestofthoseslopesthatthefoghaltedandwalledinthesun—illuminedplainbelow;itwasinthisplainthatlimitlessfieldsofgrainclothedthefatadobesoil;heretheMissiongardensmiledoveritshedgesoffruitfulvines，andthroughtheleavesoffigandgnarledpeartrees：anditwasherethatFatherPedrohadlivedforfiftyyears，foundtheprospectgood，andhadsmiledalso。
FatherPedro’ssmilewasrare。HewasnotaLasCasas，noraJuniperoSerra，buthehadthedeepseriousnessofalldisciplesladenwiththeresponsiblewordingofagospelnottheirown。Andhissmilehadanecclesiasticalaswellasahumansignificance，thepleasantestobjectinhisprospectbeingthefairandcurlyheadofhisboyacolyteandchorister，Francisco，whichappearedamongthevines，andhissweetestpastoralmusic，thehighsopranohummingofachantwithwhichtheboyaccompaniedhisgardening。
Suddenlytheacolyte’schantchangedtoacryofterror。RunningrapidlytoFatherPedro’sside，hegraspedhissotana，andeventriedtohidehiscurlsamongitsfolds。
\"’St！’st！\"saidthePadre，disengaginghimselfwithsomeimpatience。\"Whatnewalarmisthis？IsitLuzbelhidingamongourCatalanvines，oroneofthoseheathenAmericanosfromMonterey？Speak！\"
\"Neither，holyfather，\"saidtheboy，thecolorstrugglingbackintohispalecheeks，andanapologetic，bashfulsmilelightinghiscleareyes。\"Neither;butoh！suchagross，lethargictoad！Anditalmostleapeduponme。\"
\"Atoadleapeduponthee！\"repeatedthegoodfatherwithevidentvexation。\"Whatnext？Itellthee，child，thosefoolishfearsaremostunmeetforthee，andmustbeovercome，ifnecessary，withprayerandpenance。Frightenedbyatoad！BloodoftheMartyrs！
’Tislikeanyfoolishgirl！\"
FatherPedrostoppedandcoughed。
\"IamsayingthatnoChristianchildshouldshrinkfromanyofGod’sharmlesscreatures。AndonlylastweekthouwastdisdainfulofpoorMurieta’spig，forgettingthatSanAntoniohimselfdidelectonehisfaithfulcompanion，eveninglory。\"
\"Yes，butitwassofat，andsouncleanly，holyfather，\"repliedtheyoungacolyte，\"anditsmeltso。\"
\"Smeltso？\"echoedthefatherdoubtfully。\"Haveacare，child，thatthisisnotluxuriousnessofthesenses。Ihavenoticedoflateyougatherovermuchofrosesandsyringa，excellentintheirwayandinmoderation，butstillnottobecomparedwiththeflowerofHolyChurch，thelily。\"
\"Butliliesdon’tlookwellontherefectorytable，andagainsttheadobewall，\"returnedtheacolyte，withapoutofaspoiltchild;
\"andsurelytheflowerscannothelpbeingsweet，anymorethanmyrrhorincense。AndIamnotfrightenedoftheheathenAmericanoseitherNOW。Therewasasmalloneinthegardenyesterday，aboylikeme，andhespokekindlyandwithapleasantface。\"
\"Whatsaidhetothee，child？\"askedFatherPedro，anxiously。
\"Nay，thematterofhisspeechIcouldnotunderstand，\"laughedtheboy，\"butthemannerwasasgentleasthine，holyfather。\"
\"’St，child，\"saidthePadreimpatiently。\"Thylikingsareasunreasonableasthyfears。Besides，haveInottoldtheeitillbecomesachildofChristtochatterwiththosesonsofBelial？
Butcanstthounotrepeatthewords——theWORDShesaid？\"hecontinuedsuspiciously。
\"’TisaharshtonguetheAmericanosspeakintheirthroat，\"repliedtheboy。\"Buthesaid’Devilishnisse’and’pretty—as—a—girl，’andlookedatme。\"
Thegoodfathermadetheboyrepeatthewordsgravely，andasgravelyrepeatedthemafterhimwithinfinitesimplicity。\"Theyarebuthereticalwords，\"herepliedinanswertotheboy’sinquiringlook;\"itiswellyouunderstandnotEnglish。Enough。
Runaway，child，andbereadyfortheAngelus。Iwillcommunewithmyselfawhileunderthepeartrees。\"
Gladtoescapesoeasily，theyoungacolytedisappeareddownthealleyoffigtrees，notwithoutafurtivelookatthepatchesofchickweedaroundtheirroots，thepossibleambuscadeofcreepingorsaltantvermin。Thegoodpriestheavedasighandglancedroundthedarkeningprospect。Thesunhadalreadydisappearedoverthemountainwallthatlaybetweenhimandthesea，rimmedwithafaintwhitelineofoutlyingfog。Acoolzephyrfannedhischeek;itwasthedyingbreathofthevientosgeneralesbeyondthewall。AsFatherPedro’seyeswereraisedtothisbarrier，whichseemedtoshutouttheboisterousworldbeyond，hefanciedhenoticedforthefirsttimeaslightbreachintheparapet，overwhichanadvancedbannerofthefogwasfluttering。Wasitanomen？Hisspeculationswerecutshortbyavoiceathisveryside。
Heturnedquicklyandbeheldoneofthose\"heathens\"againstwhomhehadjustwarnedhisyoungacolyte;oneofthatstragglingbandofadventurerswhomtherecentgolddiscoverieshadscatteredalongthecoast。Luckilythefertilealluviumofthesevalleys，lyingparallelwiththesea，offeredno\"indications\"toattractthegoldseekers。NeverthelesstoFatherPedroeventheinfrequentcontactwiththeAmericanoswasobjectionable;theywereatonceinquisitiveandcareless;theyaskedquestionswiththesharpperspicacityofcontroversy;theyreceivedhisgravereplieswiththefrankindifferenceofutterworldliness。Powerfulenoughtohavebeentyrannicaloppressors，theyweresingularlytolerantandgentle，contentingthemselveswithaplayful，good—naturedirreverence，whichtormentedthegoodfathermorethanopposition。
Theywerefelttobedangerousandsubversive。
TheAmericano，however，whostoodbeforehimdidnotoffensivelysuggestthesenationalqualities。Amanofmiddleheight，stronglybuilt，bronzedandslightlygrayfromthevicissitudesofyearsandexposure，hehadanairofpracticalseriousnessthatcommendeditselftoFatherPedro。Tohisreligiousminditsuggestedself—
consciousness;expressedinthedialectofthestrangeritonlymeant\"business。\"
\"I’mrathergladIfoundyououtherealone，\"beganthelatter;\"itsavestime。Ihaven’tgottotakemyturnwiththerest，inthere\"——heindicatedthechurchwithhisthumb——\"andyouhaven’tgottomakeanappointment。YouhavegotaclearfortyminutesbeforetheAngelusrings，\"headded，consultingalargesilverchronometer，\"andIreckonIkingitthroughmypartofthejobinsideoftwenty，leavingyoutenminutesforremarks。Iwanttoconfess。\"
FatherPedrodrewbackwithagestureofdignity。Thestranger，however，laidhishanduponthePadre’ssleevewiththeairofamananticipatingobjection，butneverrefusal，andwenton。
\"Ofcourse，Iknow。Youwantmetocomeatsomeothertime，andinTHERE。Youwantitinthereg’larstyle。That’syourwayandyourtime。Myansweris：itain’tMYwayandMYtime。Themainideaofconfession，Itakeit，isgettin’atthefacts。I’mreadytogive’emifyou’lltake’emouthere，now。Ifyou’rewillingtodroptheChurchandconfessional，andallthatsorto’thing，I，onmyside，amwillingtogiveuptheabsolution，andallthatsorto’
thing。Youmight，\"headded，withanunconscioustouchofpathosinthesuggestion，\"heaveinawordortwoofadviceafterIgetthrough;forinstance，whatYOU’Ddointhecircumstances，yousee！
That’sall。Butthat’sasyouplease。Itain’tpartofthebusiness。\"
Irreverentasthisspeechappeared，therewasreallynotraceofsuchintentioninhismanner，andhisevidentprofoundconvictionthathissuggestionwaspractical，andnotatallinconsistentwithecclesiasticaldignity，wouldalonehavebeenenoughtotouchthePadre，hadnotthestranger’sdominantpersonalityalreadyoverriddenhim。Hehesitated。Thestrangerseizedtheopportunitytotakehisarm，andleadhimwiththehalffamiliarityofpowerfulprotectiontoabenchbeneaththerefectorywindow。Takingouthiswatchagain，heputitinthepassivehandsoftheastonishedpriest，saying，\"Timeme，\"clearedhisthroat，andbegan：——
\"Fourteenyearsagotherewasashipcruisin’inthePacific，jestoffthisrange，thatwaseznighontoaHellafloatasanythingriggedkinbe。Ifachapmanagedtododgethecap’en’sbelayin—pinforatime，hewasboundtobefetchedupintheribsatlastbythemate’sboots。TherewasachapknockeddowntheforehatchwithabrokenlegintheGulf，andanotherjumpedoverboardoffCapeCorrientes，crazyasaloon，alongaclipoftheheadfromthecap’en’strumpet。Them’sfacts。Theshipwasabrigantine，tradingalongtheMexicancoast。Thecap’enhadhiswifeaboard，alittletimidMexicanwomanhe’dpickedupatMazatlan。Ireckonshedidn’tgetonwithhimanybetterthanthemen，forsheupsanddiesoneday，leavin’herbaby，ayear—oldgal。Oneofthecrewwasfondo’thatbaby。Heusedtogettheblacknursetoputitinthedingy，andhe’dtowitastern，rockingitwiththepainterlikeacradle。Hedidit——hatin’thecap’enallthesame。Onedaytheblacknursegotoutofthedingyforamoment，whenthebabywasasleep，leavin’himalonewithit。Anideatookholdonhim，jestfromcussedness，you’dsay，butitwaspartlyfromrevengeonthecap’enandpartlytogetawayfromtheship。Theshipwaswellinshore，andthecurrentsettin’towardsit。Heslippedthepainter——thatman——andsethimselfadriftwiththebaby。Itwasacrazyact，you’dreckon，fortherewasn’tanyoarsintheboat;buthehadacrazyman’sluck，andhecontrived，byscullingtheboatwithoneoftheseatshetoreout，tokeepheroutofthebreakers，tillhecouldfindabightintheshoretorunherin。Thealarmwasgivenfromtheship，butthefogshutdownuponhim;hecouldheartheotherboatsinpursuit。Theyseemedtocloseinonhim，andbythesoundhejudgedthecap’enwasjustabreastofhiminthegig，bearingdownuponhiminthefog。Heslippedoutofthedingyintothewaterwithoutasplash，andstruckoutforthebreakers。Hegotashoreafterhavin’beenknockeddownanddraggedinfourtimesbytheundertow。Hehadonlyoneideathen，thankfulnessthathehadnottakenthebabywithhiminthesurf。
Youkinputthatdownforhim：it’safact。Hegotoffintothehills，andmadehiswayuptoMonterey。\"
\"Andthechild？\"askedthePadre，withasuddenandstrangeasperitythatbodednogoodtothepenitent;\"thechildthusruthlesslyabandoned——whatbecameofit？\"
\"That’sjustit，thechild，\"assentedthestranger，gravely。
\"Well，ifthatmanwasonhisdeath—bedinsteadofbeingheretalkingtoyou，he’dswearthathethoughtthecap’enwassuretocomeuptoitthenextminit。That’safact。Butitwasn’tuntilonedaythathe——that’sme——ranacrossoneofthatcrewinFrisco。
’Hallo，Cranch，’sezhetome，’soyougotaway，didn’tyou？Andhow’sthecap’en’sbaby？Grownayounggalbythistime，ain’tshe？’’Whatareyoutalkinabout，’ezI;’howshouldIknow？’Hedrawsawayfromme，andsez，’D———it，’sezhe，’youdon’tmeanthatyou’……Igrabshimbythethroatandmakeshimtellmeall。Andthenitappearsthattheboatandthebabywereneverfoundagain，andeverymanofthatcrew，cap’enandall，believedI
hadstolenit。\"
Hepaused。FatherPedrowasstaringattheprospectwithanuncompromisingrigidityofheadandshoulder。
\"It’sabadlookoutforme，ain’tit？\"thestrangercontinued，inseriousreflection。
\"HowdoIknow，\"saidthepriestharshly，withoutturninghishead，\"thatyoudidnotmakeawaywiththischild？\"
\"Begpardon。\"
\"Thatyoudidnotcompleteyourrevengeby——by——killingit，asyourcomradesuspectedyou？Ah！HolyTrinity，\"continuedFatherPedro，throwingouthishandswithanimpatientgesture，asiftotaketheplaceofunutterablethought。
\"HowdoYOUknow？\"echoedthestrangercoldly。
\"Yes。\"
Thestrangerlinkedhisfingerstogetherandthrewthemoverhisknee，drewituptohischestcaressingly，andsaidquietly，\"BecauseyouDOknow。\"
ThePadrerosetohisfeet。
\"Whatmeanyou？\"hesaid，sternlyfixinghiseyesuponthespeaker。
Theireyesmet。Thestranger’sweregrayandpersistent，withhangingcornerlidsthatmighthaveconcealedevenmorepurposethantheyshowed。ThePadre’swerehollow，open，andthewhitesslightlybrown，asifwithtobaccostains。Yettheywerethefirsttoturnaway。
\"Imean，\"returnedthestranger，withthesamepracticalgravity，\"thatyouknowitwouldn’tpaymetocomehere，ifI’dkilledthebaby，unlessIwantedyoutofixthingsrightwithmeupthere，\"
pointingskywards，\"andgetabsolution;andI’vetoldyouTHAT
wasn’tinmyline。\"
\"Whydoyouseekme，then？\"demandedthePadre，suspiciously。
\"BecauseIreckonIthoughtamanmightbeallowedtoconfesssomethingshortofamurder。Ifyou’regoingtodrawthelinebelowthat——\"
\"Thisisbutsacrilegiouslevity，\"interruptedFatherPedro，turningasiftogo。Butthestrangerdidnotmakeanymovementtodetainhim。
\"Haveyouimploredforgivenessofthefather——themanyouwronged——
beforeyoucamehere？\"askedthepriest，lingering。
\"Notmuch。Itwouldn’tpayifhewasliving，andhediedfouryearsago。\"
\"Youaresureofthat？\"
\"Iam。\"
\"Thereareotherrelations，perhaps？\"
\"None。\"
FatherPedrowassilent。Whenhespokeagain，itwaswithachangedvoice。\"Whatisyourpurpose，then？\"heasked，withthefirstindicationofpriestlysympathyinhismanner。\"Youcannotaskforgivenessoftheearthlyfatheryouhaveinjured，yourefusetheintercessionofholyChurchwiththeHeavenlyFatheryouhavedisobeyed。Speak，wretchedman！Whatisityouwant？\"
\"Iwanttofindthechild。\"
\"Butifitwerepossible，ifshewerestillliving，areyoufittoseekher，toevenmakeyourselfknowntoher，toappearbeforeher？\"
\"Well，ifImadeitprofitabletoher，perhaps。\"
\"Perhaps，\"echoedthepriest，scornfully。\"Sobeit。Butwhycomehere？\"
\"Toaskyouradvice。Toknowhowtobeginmysearch。Youknowthiscountry。Youwereherewhenthatboatdriftedashorebeyondthatmountain。\"
\"Ah，indeed。Ihavemuchtodowithit。Itisanaffairofthealcalde——theauthorities——ofyour——yourpolice。\"
\"Isit？\"
ThePadreagainmetthestranger’seyes。Hestopped，withthesnuffboxhehadsomewhatostentatiouslydrawnfromhispocketstillopeninhishand。
\"Whyisitnot，Senor？\"hedemanded。
\"Ifshelives，sheisayoungladybythistime，andmightnotwantthedetailsofherlifeknowntoanyone。\"
\"Andhowwillyourecognizeyourbabyinthisyounglady？\"askedFatherPedro，witharapidgesture，indicatingthecomparativeheightsofababyandanadult。
\"IreckonI’llknowher，andherclothestoo;andwhoeverfoundherwouldn’tbefoolenoughtodestroythem。\"
\"Afterfourteenyears！Good！youhavefaith，Senor——\"
\"Cranch，\"suppliedthestranger，consultinghiswatch。\"Buttime’sup。Businessisbusiness。Good—by;don’tletmekeepyou。\"
Heextendedhishand。
ThePadremetitwithadry，unsympatheticpalm，assereandyellowasthehills。Whentheirhandsseparated，thefatherstillhesitated，lookingatCranch。Ifheexpectedfurtherspeechorentreatyfromhimhewasmistaken，fortheAmerican，withoutturninghishead，walkedinthesameserious，practicalfashiondowntheavenueoffigtrees，anddisappearedbeyondthehedgeofvines。Theoutlinesofthemountainbeyondwerealreadylostinthefog。FatherPedroturnedintotherefectory。
\"Antonio。\"
Astrongflavorofleather，onions，andstableprecededtheentranceofashort，stoutvaquerofromthelittlepatio。
\"SaddlePintoandthineownmuletoaccompanyFrancisco，whowilltakelettersfrommetotheFatherSuperioratSanJoseto—morrowatdaybreak。\"
\"Atdaybreak，reverendfather？\"
\"Atdaybreak。Harkye，gobythemountaintrailsandavoidthehighway。Stopatnoposadanorfonda，butifthechildisweary，restthenawhileatDonJuanBriones’orattheranchooftheBlessedFisherman。Havenoconversewithstragglers，leastofallthosegentileAmericanos。So……\"
ThefirststrokesoftheAngeluscamefromthenearertower。WithagestureFatherPedrowavedAntonioaside，andopenedthedoorofthesacristy。
\"AdMajoremDeiGloria。\"
CHAPTERII
ThehaciendaofDonJuanBriones，nestlinginawoodedcleftofthefoot—hills，washidden，asFatherPedrohadwiselyreflected，fromthestrayingfeetoftravelersalongthedustyhighwaytoSanJose。
AsFrancisco，emergingfromthecanada，putspurstohismuleatthesightofthewhitewashedwalls，Antoniogrunted。
\"Ohaye，littlepriest！thouwasttiredenoughamomentago，andthoughwearenotthreeleaguesfromtheBlessedFisherman，thoucouldstscarcesitthysaddlelonger。MotherofGod！andalltoseethatlittlemongrel，Juanita。\"
\"But，goodAntonio，Juanitawasmyplay—fellow，andImaynotsoonagainchancethisway。AndJuanitaisnotamongrel，nomorethanIam。\"
\"Sheisamestiza，andthouartachildoftheChurch，thoughthisfollowingofgypsywenchesdoesnotshowit。\"
\"ButFatherPedrodoesnotobject，\"urgedtheboy。
\"Thereverendfatherhasforgottenhewaseveryoung，\"repliedAntonio，sententiously，\"orhewouldn’tsetfireandtowtogether。\"
\"Whatsayestthou，goodAntonio？\"askedFranciscoquickly，openinghisblueeyesinfrankcuriosity;\"whoisfire，andwhoistow？\"
Theworthymuleteer，utterlyabashedandconfoundedbythisdisplayoftheacolyte’sdirectsimplicity，contentedhimselfbyshrugginghisshoulders，andavague\"Quiensabe？\"
\"Come，\"saidtheboy，gayly，\"confessitisonlytheaguardienteoftheBlessedFishermanthoumissest。Neverfear，Juanitawillfindtheesome。Andsee！hereshecomes。\"
Therewasaflashofwhiteflouncesalongthedarkbrowncorridor，thetwinkleofsatinslippers，theflyingoutoflongblackbraids，andwithacryofjoyayounggirlthrewherselfuponFranciscoasheenteredthepatio，andnearlydraggedhimfromhismule。
\"Haveacare，littlesister，\"laughedtheacolyte，lookingatAntonio，\"ortherewillbeaconflagration。AmIthefire？\"hecontinued，submittingtothetwosoundingkissestheyounggirlplaceduponeithercheek，butstillkeepinghismischievousglanceuponthemuleteer。
\"Quiensabe？\"repeatedAntonio，gruffly，astheyounggirlblushedunderhissignificanteyes。\"Itisnoaffairofmine，\"headdedtohimself，asheledPintoaway。\"PerhapsFatherPedroisright，andthisyoungtwigoftheChurchisasdryandsaplessashimself。
Letthemestizaburnifshelikes。\"
\"Quick，Pancho，\"saidtheyounggirl，eagerlyleadinghimalongthecorridor。\"Thisway。ImusttalkwiththeebeforethouseestDonJuan;thatiswhyIrantointerceptthee，andnotasthatfoolAntoniowouldsignify，toshamethee。Wastthouashamed，myPancho？\"
Theboythrewhisarmfamiliarlyroundthesupple，staylesslittlewaist，accentedonlybythebeltofthelightflouncedsaya，andsaid，\"Butwhythishasteandfeverishness，’Nita？AndnowIlookatthee，thouhastbeencrying。\"
Theyhademergedfromadoorinthecorridorintothebrightsunlightofawalledgarden。Thegirldroppedhereyes，castaquickglancearoundher，andsaid，——
\"Nothere，tothearroyo，\"andhalfleading，halfdragginghim，madeherwaythroughacopseofmanzanitaandalderuntiltheyheardthefainttinklingofwater。\"Dostthouremember，\"saidthegirl，\"itwashere，\"pointingtoanembayedpoolinthedarkcurrent，\"thatIbaptizedthee，whenFatherPedrofirstbroughttheehere，whenwebothplayedatbeingmonks？Theyweredearolddays，forFatherPedrowouldtrustnoonewiththeebutme，andalwayskeptusnearhim。\"
\"AyeandhesaidIwouldbeprofanedbythetouchofanyother，andsohimselfalwayswashedanddressedme，andmademybednearhis。\"
\"Andtooktheeawayagain，andIsawtheenottillthoucamestwithAntonio，overayearago，tothecattlebranding。Andnow，myPancho，Imayneverseetheeagain。\"Sheburiedherfaceinherhandsandsobbedaloud。
Thelittleacolytetriedtocomforther，butwithsuchabstractionofmannerandinadequacyofwarmththatshehastilyremovedhiscaressinghand。
\"Butwhy？Whathashappened？\"heaskedeagerly。
Thegirl’smannerhadchanged。Hereyesflashed，andsheputherbrownfistonherwaistandbegantorockfromsidetoside。
\"ButI’llnotgo，\"shesaidviciously。
\"Gowhere？\"askedtheboy。
\"Oh，where？\"sheechoed，impatiently。\"Hearme，Francisco;thouknowestIam，likethee，anorphan;butIhavenot，likethee，aparentintheHolyChurch。For，alas，\"sheadded，bitterly，\"Iamnotaboy，andhavenotalovelyvoiceborrowedfromtheangels。I
was，likethee，afoundling，keptbythecharityofthereverendfathers，untilDonJuan，achildlesswidower，adoptedme。Iwashappy，notknowingandcaringwhoweretheparentswhohadabandonedme，happyonlyintheloveofhimwhobecamemyadoptedfather。Andnow——\"Shepaused。
\"Andnow？\"echoedFrancisco，eagerly。
\"Andnowtheysayitisdiscoveredwhoaremyparents。\"
\"Andtheylive？\"
\"MotherofGod！no，\"saidthegirl，withscarcelyfilialpiety。
\"Thereissomeone，athing，amereDonFulano，whoknowsitall，itseems，whoistobemyguardian。\"
\"Buthow？tellmeall，dearJuanita，\"saidtheboywithafeverishinterest，thatcontrastedsostronglywithhispreviousabstractionthatJuanitabitherlipswithvexation。
\"Ah！How？SantaBarbara！anextravaganzaforchildren。A
necklaceoflies。Iamlostfromashipofwhichmyfather——Heavenresthim——isGeneral，andIampickedupamongtheweedsonthesea—shore，likeMosesinthebulrushes。Aprettystory，indeed。\"
\"Oh，howbeautiful！\"exclaimedFrancisco，enthusiastically。\"Ah，Juanita，wouldithadbeenme。\"
\"THEE！\"saidthegirlbitterly，——\"thee！No！——itwasagirlwanted。
Enough，itwasme。\"
\"Andwhendoestheguardiancome？\"persistedtheboy，withsparklingeyes。
\"Heishereevennow，withthatpompousfooltheAmericanalcaldefromMonterey，awretchwhoknowsnothingofthecountryorthepeople，butwhohelpedtheotherAmericantoclaimme。Itellthee，Francisco，likeasnotitisallafolly，somesenselessblunderofthoseAmericanosthatimposesuponDonJuan’ssimplicityandloveforthem。\"
\"Howlookshe，thisAmericanowhoseeksthee？\"askedFrancisco。
\"WhatcareIhowhelooks，\"saidJuanita，\"orwhatheis？HemayhavethefourS’s，forallIcare。Yet，\"sheaddedwithaslighttouchofcoquetry，\"heisnotbadtolookupon，nowIrecallhim。\"
\"Hadhealongmoustacheandasad，sweetsmile，andavoicesogentleandyetsostrongthatyoufeltheorderedyoutodothingswithoutsayingit？Anddidhiseyereadyourthoughts？——thatverythoughtthatyoumustobeyhim？\"
\"Saintspreservethee，Pancho！Ofwhomdostthouspeak？\"
\"Listen，Juanita。Itwasayearago，theeveofNatividad，hewasinthechurchwhenIsang。LookwhereIwould，Ialwaysmethiseye。WhenthecanticlewassungandIwasslippingintothesacristy，hewasbesideme。Hespokekindly，butIunderstoodhimnot。Heputintomyhandgoldforanaguinaldo。IpretendedI
understoodnotthatalso，andputitintotheboxforthepoor。Hesmiledandwentaway。OftenhaveIseenhimsince，andlastnight，whenIlefttheMission，hewasthereagainwithFatherPedro。\"
\"AndFatherPedro，whatsaidheofhim？\"askedJuanita。
\"Nothing。\"Theboyhesitated。\"Perhaps——becauseIsaidnothingofthestranger。\"
Juanitalaughed。\"Sothoucanstkeepasecretfromthegoodfatherwhenthoucarest。Butwhydostthouthinkthisstrangerismynewguardian？\"
\"Dostthounotsee，littlesister？hewaseventhenseekingthee，\"
saidtheboywithjoyousexcitement。\"Doubtlessheknewwewerefriendsandplaymates——maybethegoodfatherhastoldhimthysecret。Foritisnoidletaleofthealcalde，believeme。Iseeitall！Itistrue！\"
\"Thenthouwiltlethimtakemeaway，\"exclaimedthegirlbitterly，withdrawingthelittlehandhehadclaspedinhisexcitement。
\"Alas，Juanita，whatavailsitnow？IamsenttoSanJose，chargedwithalettertotheFatherSuperior，whowillgivemefurtherorders。Whattheyare，orhowlongImuststay，Iknownot。ButI
knowthis：thegoodFatherPedro’seyesweretroubledwhenhegavemehisblessing，andheheldmelonginhisembrace。PrayHeavenI
havecommittednofault。StillitmaybethatthereputationofmygifthathreachedtheFatherSuperior，andhewouldadvanceme。\"
AndFrancisco’seyeslitupwithyouthfulprideatthethought。
NotsoJuanita。Herblackeyessnappedsuddenlywithsuspicion，shedrewinherbreath，andclosedherlittlemouthfirmly。Thenshebeganacrescendo。
MotherofGod！wasthatall？Washeachild，tobesentawayforsuchtimeorforsuchpurposeasbestpleasedthefathers？Washetoknownomorethanthat？WithsuchgiftsasGodhadgivenhim，washenotatleasttohavesomewordindisposingofthem？Ah！
SHEwouldnotstandit。
Theboygazedadmiringlyatthepiquantenergyofthelittlefigurebeforehim，andenviedhercourage。\"Itisthemestizoblood，\"hemurmuredtohimself。Thenaloud，\"Thoushouldsthavebeenaman，’Nita。\"
\"Andthouawoman。\"
\"Orapriest。Eh，whatisthat？\"
Theyhadbothrisen，Juanitadefiantly，herblackbraidsflyingasshewheeledandsuddenlyfacedthethicket，Franciscoclingingtoherwithtremblinghandsandwhitenedlips。Astone，loosenedfromthehillside，hadrolledtotheirfeet;therewasacracklinginthealdersontheslopeabovethem。
\"Isitabear，orabrigand？\"whisperedFrancisco，hurriedly，soundingtheuttermostdepthsofhisterrorinthetwowords。
\"Itisaneavesdropper，\"saidJuanita，impetuously;\"andwhoandwhy，Iintendtoknow，\"andshestartedtowardsthethicket。
\"Donotleaveme，goodJuanita，\"saidtheyoungacolyte，graspingthegirl’sskirt。
\"Nay;runtothehaciendaquickly，andleavemetosearchthethicket。Run！\"
Theboydidnotwaitforasecondinjunction，butscuttledaway，hislongcoatcatchinginthebrambles，whileJuanitadartedlikeakittenintothebushes。Hersearchwasfruitless，however，andshewasreturningimpatientlywhenherquickeyefelluponaletterlyingamidstthedriedgrasswheresheandFranciscohadbeenseatedthemomentbefore。Ithadevidentlyfallenfromhisbreastwhenhehadrisensuddenly，andbeenoverlookedinhisalarm。ItwasFatherPedro’slettertotheFatherSuperiorofSanJose。
Inaninstantshehadpounceduponitasviciouslyasifithadbeentheinterlopershewasseeking。SheknewthatsheheldinherfingersthesecretofFrancisco’ssuddenbanishment。Shefeltinstinctivelythatthisyellowishenvelope，withitsredstringanditsblotchofredseal，washissentenceandherown。Thelittlemestizahadnotbeenbroughtuptorespecttheintegrityofeitherlocksorseals，bothbeingunknowninthepatriarchallifeofthehacienda。Yetwithacertainfeminineinstinctshelookedfurtivelyaroundher，andevenmanagedtodislodgetheclumsywaxwithoutmarringtheprettyeffigyofthecrossedkeysimpresseduponit。Thensheopenedtheletterandread。
Suddenlyshestoppedandputbackherhairfromherbrowntemples。
Thenasuccessionofburningblushesfollowedeachotherinwavesfromherneckup，anddiedindropsofmoistureinhereyes。Thiscontinueduntilshewasfairlycrying，droppingtheletterfromherhandsandrockingtoandfro。Inthemidstofthisshequicklystoppedagain;thecloudsbroke，asunshineoflaughterstartedfromhereyes，shelaughedshyly，shelaughedloudly，shelaughedhysterically。Thenshestoppedagainassuddenly，knittedherbrows，swoopeddownoncemoreupontheletter，andturnedtofly。
Butatthesamemomenttheletterwasquietlybutfirmlytakenfromherhand，andMr。JackCranchstoodbesideher。
Juanitawascrimson，butunconquered。Shemechanicallyheldoutherhandfortheletter;theAmericantookherlittlefingers，kissedthem，andsaid：——
\"Howareyouagain？\"
\"Theletter，\"repliedJuanita，withastrongdispositiontostampherfoot。
\"But，\"saidCranch，withbusinessdirectness，\"you’vereadenoughtoknowitisn’tforyou。\"
\"Norforyoueither，\"respondedJuanita。
\"True。ItisfortheReverendFatherSuperiorofSanJoseMission。
I’llgiveittohim。\"
Juanitawasbecomingalarmed，firstatthisprospect，secondatthepowerthestrangerseemedtobegainingoverher。SherecalledFrancisco’sdescriptionofhimwithsomethinglikesuperstitiousawe。
\"ButitconcernsFrancisco。Itcontainsasecretheshouldknow。\"
\"Thenyoucantellhimit。Perhapsitwouldcomeeasierfromyou。\"
Juanitablushedagain。\"Why？\"sheasked，halfdreadinghisreply。
\"Because，\"saidtheAmerican，quietly，\"youareoldplaymates;youareattachedtoeachother。\"
Juanitabitherlips。\"Whydon’tyoureadityourself？\"sheaskedbluntly。
\"BecauseIdon’treadotherpeople’sletters，andifitconcernsmeyou’lltellme。\"
\"WhatifIdon’t？\"
\"ThentheFatherSuperiorwill。\"
\"IbelieveyouknowFrancisco’ssecretalready，\"saidthegirl，boldly。
\"Perhaps。\"
\"Then，MotherofGod！SenorCrancho，whatdoyouwant？\"
\"IdonotwanttoseparatetwosuchgoodfriendsasyouandFrancisco。\"
\"Perhapsyou’dliketoclaimusboth，\"saidthegirl，withasneerthatwasnotdevoidofcoquetry。
\"Ishouldbedelighted。\"
\"Thenhereisyouroccasion，Senor，forherecomesmyadoptedfather，DonJuan，andyourfriend，SenorBr——r——own，theAmericanalcalde。\"
Twomenappearedinthegardenpathbelowthem。Thestiff，glazed，broad—brimmedblackhat，surmountingadarkfaceofQuixoticgravityandromanticrectitude，indicatedDonJuanBriones。Hiscompanion，lazy，specious，andred—faced，wasSenorBrown，theAmericanalcalde。
\"Well，Ireckonwekinaboutcallthethingfixed，\"saidSenorBrown，withalargewaveofthehand，suggestingasweepingawayofalltrivialdetails。\"EzIwassayingtotheDonyer，whentwohigh—tonedgentslikeyouandhimcometogetherinadelicatematterofthiskind，itain’tnohosstradenorsharppractice。
TheDonisthatloftyinprinciplethathe’swillin’tosacrificehisaffectionsforthegoodofthegal;andyou，onyourhand，kalkilatetoseeallhe’sdoneforher，andgoyourwholepilebetter。You’llmakethelegalformalitiesgood。IreckonthatoldInjinwomanwhocansweartothefindingofthebabyontheshorewillsetthingsallrightyet。Forthemattero’that，ifyouwantanythinginthewayofacertificate，I’monhandalways。\"
\"Juanitaandmyselfareatyourdisposition，caballeros，\"saidDonJuan，withagraveexaltation。\"NeverletitbesaidthattheMexicannationwasoutdonebythegreatAmericanosindeedsofcourtesyandaffection。LetitratherstandthatJuanitawasasacredtrustputintomyhandsyearsagobythegoddessofAmericanliberty，andnurturedintheMexicaneagle’snest。Isitnotso，mysoul？\"headded，morehumanly，tothegirl，whenhehadquiterecoveredfromtheintoxicationofhisownspeech。\"Welovethee，littleone，butwekeepourhonor。\"
\"There’snothingmeanabouttheoldman，\"saidBrown，admiringly，withaslightdroppingofhislefteyelid;\"hisheadislevel，andhegoeswithhisparty。\"
\"Thoutakestmydaughter，SenorCranch，\"continuedtheoldman，carriedawaybyhisemotion;\"buttheAmericannationgivesmeason。\"
\"Youknownotwhatyousay，father，\"saidtheyounggirl，angrily，exasperatedbyaslighttwinkleintheAmerican’seye。
\"Notso，\"saidCranch。\"PerhapsoneoftheAmericannationmaytakehimathisword。\"
\"Then，caballeros，youwill，forthemomentatleast，possessyourselvesofthehouseanditspoorhospitality，\"saidDonJuan，withtime—honoredcourtesy，producingtherustickeyofthegateofthepatio。\"Itisatyourdisposition，caballeros，\"herepeated，leadingthewayashisguestspassedintothecorridor。
Twohourspassed。Thehillsweredarkeningontheireasternslopes;theshadowsofthefewpoplarsthatsparsedlydottedthedustyhighwaywerefallinginlongblacklinesthatlookedlikeditchesonthedeadlevelofthetawnyfields;theshadowsofslowlymovingcattlewereminglingwiththeirownsilhouettes，andbecomingmoreandmoregrotesque。Akeenwindrisinginthehillswasalreadycreepingfromthecanadaasfromthemouthofafunnel，andsweepingtheplains。Antoniohadforgatheredwiththeservants，hadpinchedtheearsofthemaids，hadpartakenofaguardiente，hadsaddledthemules，——Antoniowasbecomingimpatient。
AndthenasingularcommotiondisturbedthepeacefulmonotonyofthepatriarchalhouseholdofDonJuanBriones。Thestagnantcourtyardwassuddenlyalivewithpeonsandservants，runninghitherandthither。Thealleysandgardenswerefilledwithretainers。Aconfusionofquestions，orders，andoutcrysrenttheair，theplainsshookwiththegallopingofadozenhorsemen。FortheacolyteFrancisco，oftheMissionSanCarmel，haddisappearedandvanished，andfromthatdaythehaciendaofDonJuanBrionesknewhimnomore。
CHAPTERIII
WhenFatherPedrosawtheyellowmulesvanishunderthelowbranchesoftheoaksbesidethelittlegraveyard，caughtthelastglitterofthemorningsunonPinto’sshiningheadstall，andheardthelasttinkleofAntonio’sspurs，somethingverylikeamundanesighescapedhim。Tothesimplewonderofthemajorityofearlyworshipers——thehalf—breedconvertswhorigorouslyattendedthespiritualministrationsoftheMission，andatethetemporalprovisionsofthereverendfathers——hedeputedthefunctionsofthefirstmasstoacoadjutor，and，breviaryinhand，soughttheorchardofvenerablepeartrees。Whethertherewasanyoccultsympathyinhisreflectionswiththecontemplationoftheirgnarled，twisted，gouty，andknottylimbs，stillbearinggraciousandgoodlyfruit，Iknownot，butitwashisprivateretreat，andunderoneofthemostrheumaticandmisshapentrunkstherewasarudeseat。HereFatherPedrosank，hisfacetowardsthemountainwallbetweenhimandtheinvisiblesea。Therelentless，dry，practicalCaliforniansunlightfallingonhisfacegrimlypointedoutanightofvigilandsuffering。Thesnuffyyellowofhiseyeswasinjectedyetburning，histempleswereridgedandveinedlikeatobaccoleaf;theodorofdesiccationwhichhisgarmentsalwaysexhaledwashotandfeverish，asifthefirehadsuddenlyawakenedamongtheashes。
OfwhatwasFatherPedrothinking？
Hewasthinkingofhisyouth，ayouthspentundertheshadeofthosepeartrees，eventhenvenerableasnow。Hewasthinkingofhisyouthfuldreamsofheathenconquest，emulatingthesacrificesandlaborsofJuniperoSerra;adreamcutshortbytheordersofthearchbishop，thatsenthiscompanion，BrotherDiego，northonamissiontostrangelands，andcondemnedhimtotheisolationofSanCarmel。Hewasthinkingofthatfiercestrugglewithenvyofafellowcreature’sbetterfortunethat，conqueredbyprayerandpenance，lefthimpatient，submissive，anddevotedtohishumblework;howheraisedupconvertstothefaith，eventakingthemfromthebreastofhereticmothers。
Herecalledhowonce，withthezealofpropagandismquickeningintheinstinctsofachildlessman，hehaddreamedofperpetuatinghisworkthroughsomesinlesscreationofhisown;ofdedicatingsomevirginsoul，oneoverwhomhecouldhavecompletecontrol，restrictedbynohumanpaternalweakness，tothetaskhehadbegun。
Buthow？OfalltheboyseagerlyofferedtotheChurchbytheirparentsthereseemednonesufficientlypureandfreefromparentaltaint。Herememberedhowonenight，throughtheintercessionoftheBlessedVirginherself，ashefirmlythenbelieved，thisdreamwasfulfilled。AnIndianwomanbroughthimaWaugeechild——ababy—
girlthatshehadpickeduponthesea—shore。Therewerenoparentstodividetheresponsibility，thechildhadnopasttoconfront，exceptthememoryoftheignorantIndianwoman，whodeemedherdutydone，andwhoseinterestceasedingivingittothePadre。Theaustereconditionsofhismonkishlifecompelledhimtothefirststepinhisadoptionofit——theconcealmentofitssex。
Thiswaseasyenough，asheconstitutedhimselffromthatmomentitssolenurseandattendant，andboldlybaptizeditamongtheotherchildrenbythenameofFrancisco。Noothersknewitsorigin，norcaredtoknow。FatherPedrohadtakenamuchachofoundlingforadoption;hisjealousseclusionofitandhispersonalcarewasdoubtlesssomesacerdotalformulaatoncehighandnecessary。
Herememberedwithdarkeningeyesandimpededbreathhowhisclosecompanionshipanddailycareofthishelplesschildhadrevealedtohimthefascinationsofthatpaternitydeniedtohim;howhehaddeemedithisdutytostruggleagainstthethrillofbabyfingerslaiduponhisyellowcheeks，thepleadingofinarticulatewords，theeloquenceofwonder—seeingandmutelyquestioningeyes;howhehadsuccumbedagainandagain，andthenstrugglednomore，seeingonlyinthemthesuggestionofchildhoodmadeincarnateintheHolyBabe。Andyet，evenashethought，hedrewfromhisgownalittleshoe，andlaiditbesidehisbreviary。ItwasFrancisco’sbabyslipper，aduplicatetothosewornbytheminiaturewaxenfigureoftheHolyVirginherselfinhernicheinthetransept。
Hadhefeltduringtheseyearsanyqualmsofconscienceatthisconcealmentofthechild’ssex？None。Fortohimthebabewassexless，asmostbefittedonewhowastoliveanddieatthefootofthealtar。TherewasnoattempttodeceiveGod;whatmatteredelse？Norwashewithholdingthechildfromtheministrationsofthesacredsisters;therewasnoconventneartheMission，andaseachyearpassed，thedifficultyofrestoringhertothepositionanddutiesofhersexbecamegreaterandmoredangerous。Andthentheacolyte’sdestinywassealedbywhatagainappearedtoFatherPedroasadirectinterpositionofProvidence。Thechilddevelopedavoiceofsuchexquisitesweetnessandpuritythatanangelseemedtohavestrayedintothelittlechoir，andkneelingworshipersbelow，transported，gazedupwards，halfexpectantofaheavenlylightbreakingthroughthegloomoftherafteredceiling。ThefameofthelittlesingerfilledthevalleyofSanCarmel;itwasamiraclevouchsafedtheMission;DonJosePeraltaremembered，ahyes，tohaveheardinoldSpainofboychoristerswithsuchvoices！
Andwasthissacredtrusttobewithdrawnfromhim？Wasthislifewhichhehadbroughtoutofanunknownworldofsin，unstainedandpure，consecratedanddedicatedtoGod，justinthedawnofpowerandpromiseforthegloryoftheMotherChurch，tobetakenfromhisside？Andatthewordofaself—convictedmanofsin——amanwhosetardyrepentancewasnotyetabsolvedbytheHolyChurch。
Never！never！FatherPedrodweltuponthestranger’srejectionoftheministrationsoftheChurchwithapitiablesatisfaction;hadheacceptedit，hewouldhavehadasacredclaimuponFatherPedro’ssympathyandconfidence。Yetheroseagain，uneasilyandwithirregularstepsreturnedtothecorridor，passingthedoorofthefamiliarlittlecellbesidehisown。Thewindow，thetable，andeventhescanttoiletteutensilswerefilledwiththeflowersofyesterday，someofthemwitheredanddry;thewhitegownofthelittlechoristerwashangingemptilyagainstthewall。FatherPedrostartedandtrembled;itseemedasifthespirituallifeofthechildhadslippedawaywithitsgarments。
Inthatslightchill，whicheveninthehottestdaysinCaliforniaalwaysinvestsanyshadowcastinthatwhitesunlight，FatherPedroshiveredinthecorridor。Passingagainintothegarden，hefollowedinfancythewayfaringfigureofFrancisco，sawthechildarriveattheranchoofDonJuan，andwiththefatefulblindnessofalldreamersprojectedapicturemostunlikethereality。HefollowedthepilgrimseventoSanJose，andsawthechilddeliverthemissivewhichgavethesecretofhersexandconditiontotheFatherSuperior。ThattheauthorityatSanJosemightdissentwiththePadreofSanCarmel，ordeclinetocarryouthisdesigns，didnotoccurtotheone—idea’dpriest。Likeallsolitarypeople，isolatedfrompassingevents，hemadenoallowancesforoccurrencesoutsideofhisroutine。Yetatthismomentasuddenthoughtwhitenedhisyellowcheek。WhatiftheFatherSuperiordeemeditnecessarytoimpartthesecrettoFrancisco？Wouldthechildrecoilatthedeception，and，perhaps，ceasetolovehim？Itwasthefirsttime，inhissupremeselfishness，hehadtakentheacolyte’sfeelingsintoaccount。Hehadthoughtofhimonlyasoneowingimplicitobediencetohimasatemporalandspiritualguide。
\"ReverendFather！\"
Heturnedimpatiently。Itwashismuleteer，Jose。FatherPedro’ssunkeneyebrightened。
\"Ah，Jose！Quickly，then;hastthoufoundSanchicha？\"
\"Truly，yourreverence！AndIhavebroughtherwithme，justassheis;thoughifyourreverencemakemoreofherthantofillthesix—footholeandsayaprayeroverher，I’llgivethemulethatbroughtherhereforfoodforthebull’shorns。Sheneitherhearsnorspeaks，butwhetherfromweaknessorsheerwantonness，Iknownot。\"
\"Peace，then！andletthytonguetakeexamplefromhers。Bringherwiththeeintothesacristyandattendwithout。Go！\"
FatherPedrowatchedthedisappearingfigureofthemuleteerandhurriedlyswepthisthin，dryhand，veinedandribbedlikeabrownNovemberleaf，overhisstonyforehead，withasoundthatseemedalmostarustle。Thenhesuddenlystiffenedhisfingersoverhisbreviary，droppedhisarmsperpendicularlybeforehim，andwitharigidstepreturnedtothecorridorandpassedintothesacristy。
Foramomentinthehalf—darknesstheroomseemedtobeempty。
Tossedcarelesslyinthecornerappearedsomeblanketstoppedbyafewstragglingblackhorsetails，likeanunstrandedriata。A
tremblingagitatedthemassasFatherPedroapproached。HebentovertheheapanddistinguishedinitsmidsttheglowingblackeyesofSanchicha，theIndiancentenarianoftheMissionSanCarmel。
Onlyhereyeslived。Helpless，boneless，andjelly—like，oldagehadovertakenherwithamildformofdeliquescence。
\"Listen，Sanchicha，\"saidthefather，gravely。\"Itisimportantthatthoushouldstrefreshthymemoryforamoment。Lookbackfourteenyears，mother;itisbutyesterdaytothee。Thoudostrememberthebaby——alittlemuchachathoubroughtestmethen——
fourteenyearsago？\"
Theoldwoman’seyesbecameintelligent，andturnedwithaquicklooktowardstheopendoorofthechurch，andthencetowardsthechoir。
ThePadremadeamotionofirritation。\"No，no！Thoudostnotunderstand;thoudostnotattendme。Knowestthouofanymarkofclothing，trinket，oramuletfounduponthebabe？\"
Thelightoftheoldwoman’seyeswentout。Shemighthavebeendead。FatherPedrowaitedamoment，andthenlaidhishandimpatientlyonhershoulder。
\"Dostthoumeantherearenone？\"
Arayoflightstruggledbackintohereyes。
\"None。\"
\"Andthouhastkeptbackorputawaynosignnormarkofherparentage？Tellme，onthiscrucifix。\"
Theeyescaughtthecrucifix，andbecameasemptyastheorbitsofthecarvenChristuponit。
FatherPedrowaitedpatiently。Amomentpassed;onlythesoundofthemuleteer’sspurswasheardinthecourtyard。
\"Itiswell，\"hesaidatlast，withasighofrelief。\"Pepitashallgivetheesomerefreshment，andJosewillbringtheebackagain。Iwillsummonhim。\"
Hepassedoutofthesacristydoor，leavingitopen。Arayofsunlightdartedeagerlyin，andfelluponthegrotesqueheapinthecorner。Sanchicha’seyeslivedagain;morethanthat，asingularmovementcameoverherface。Thehideouscavernsofhertoothlessmouthopened——shelaughed。ThestepofJosewasheardinthecorridor，andshebecameagaininert。
Thethirdday，whichshouldhavebroughtthereturnofAntonio，wasnearlyspent。FatherPedrowasimpatientbutnotalarmed。ThegoodfathersatSanJosemightnaturallydetainAntoniofortheanswer，whichmightrequiredeliberation。IfanymischancehadoccurredtoFrancisco，Antoniowouldhavereturnedorsentaspecialmessenger。Atsunsethewasinhisaccustomedseatintheorchard，hishandsclaspedoverthebreviaryinhislistlesslap，hiseyesfixeduponthemountainbetweenhimandthatmysteriousseathathadbroughtsomuchintohislife。Hewasfilledwithastrangedesiretoseeit，avaguecuriosityhithertounknowntohispreoccupiedlife;hewishedtogazeuponthatstrand，perhapstheveryspotwhereshehadbeenfound;hedoubtednothisquestioningeyeswoulddiscoversomeforgottentraceofher;underhispersistentwillandaidedbytheHolyVirgin，theseawouldgiveupitssecret。Helookedatthefogcreepingalongthesummit，andrecalledthelatestgossipofSanCarmel;howthatsincetheadventoftheAmericanositwasgraduallyencroachingontheMission。Thehatednamevividlyrecalledtohimthefeaturesofthestrangerashehadstoodbeforehimthreenightsago，inthisverygarden;sovividlythathesprangtohisfeetwithanexclamation。Itwasnofancy，butSenorCranchhimselfadvancingfromundertheshadowofapeartree。
\"IreckonedI’dcatchyouhere，\"saidMr。Cranch，withthesamedry，practicalbusinessfashion，asifhewasonlyresuminganinterruptedconversation，\"andIreckonIain’tgoingtokeepyouaminitlongerthanIdidt’otherday。\"Hemutelyreferredtohiswatch，whichhealreadyheldinhishand，andthenputitbackinhispocket。\"Well！wefoundher！\"
\"Francisco，\"interruptedthepriestwithasinglestride，layinghishanduponCranch’sarm，andstaringintohiseyes。
Mr。CranchquietlyremovedFatherPedro’shand。\"Ireckonthatwasn’tthenameasIcaughtit，\"hereturneddryly。\"Hadn’tyoubettersitdown？\"
\"Pardonme——pardonme，Senor，\"saidthepriest，hastilysinkingbackuponhisbench，\"Iwasthinkingofotherthings。You——you——
cameuponmesuddenly。Ithoughtitwastheacolyte。Goon，Senor！Iaminterested。\"
\"Ithoughtyou’dbe，\"saidCranch，quietly。\"That’swhyIcame。
Andthenyoumightbeofservicetoo。\"
\"True，true，\"saidthepriest，withrapidaccents;\"andthisgirl，Senor，thisgirlis——\"
\"Juanita，themestiza，adopteddaughterofDonJuanBriones，overontheSantaClareValley，\"repliedCranch，jerkinghisthumboverhisshoulder，andthensittingdownuponthebenchbesideFatherPedro。
Thepriestturnedhisfeverisheyespiercinglyuponhiscompanionforafewseconds，andthendoggedlyfixedthemupontheground。
Cranchdrewaplugoftobaccofromhispocket，cutoffaportion，placeditinhischeek，andthenquietlybegantostrapthebladeofhisjack—knifeuponhisboot。FatherPedrosawitfromunderhiseyelids，andeveninhispreoccupationdespisedhim。
\"Thenyouarecertainsheisthebabeyouseek？\"saidthefather，withoutlookingup。
\"Ireckonasnearasyoucanbecertainofanything。Heragetallies;shewastheonlyfoundlinggirlbabybaptizedbyyou，youknow，\"——hepartlyturnedroundappealinglytothePadre，——\"thatyear。Injinwomansaysshepickedupababy。Lookslikeaprettyclearcase，don’tit？\"
\"Andtheclothes，friendCranch？\"saidthepriest，withhiseyesstillontheground，andaslightassumptionofeasyindifference。
\"Theywillbeforthcoming，likeenough，whenthetimecomes，\"saidCranch;\"themainthingatfirstwastofindthegirl;thatwasMY
job;thelawyers，Ireckon，canfittheproofsandsaywhat’swanted，lateron。\"
\"Butwhylawyers，\"continuedPadrePedro，withaslightsneerhecouldnotrepress，\"ifthechildisfoundandSenorCranchissatisfied？\"
\"Onaccountoftheproperty。Businessisbusiness！\"
\"Theproperty？\"
Mr。Cranchpressedthebackofhisknife—bladeonhisboot，shutitupwithaclick，andputtingitinhispocketsaidcalmly，——
\"Well，Ireckonthemillionofdollarsthatherfatherleftwhenhedied，whichnaturallybelongstoher，willrequiresomeproofthatsheishisdaughter。\"
Hehadplacedbothhishandsinhispockets，andturnedhiseyesfulluponFatherPedro。Thepriestarosehurriedly。
\"Butyousaidnothingofthisbefore，SenorCranch，\"saidhe，withagestureofindignation，turninghisbackquiteuponCranch，andtakingasteptowardstherefectory。
\"WhyshouldI？Iwaslookingafterthegirl，nottheproperty，\"
returnedCranch，followingthePadrewithwatchfuleyes，butstillkeepinghiscareless，easyattitude。
\"Ah，well！Willitbesaidso，thinkyou？Eh！Bueno。Whatwilltheworldthinkofyoursacredquest，eh？\"continuedthePadrePedro，forgettinghimselfinhisexcitement，butstillavertinghisfacefromhiscompanion。
\"Theworldwilllookaftertheproofs，andIreckonnotbotheriftheproofsareallright，\"repliedCranch，carelessly;\"andthegirlwon’tthinktheworseofmeforhelpinghertoafortune。
Hallo！you’vedroppedsomething。\"Heleapedtohisfeet，pickedupthebreviarywhichhadfallenfromthePadre’sfingers，andreturnedittohimwithaslighttouchofgentlenessthatwasunsuspectedintheman。
Thepriest’sdry，tremuloushandgraspedthevolumewithoutacknowledgment。
\"Buttheseproofs？\"hesaidhastily;\"theseproofs，Senor？\"
\"Oh，well，you’lltestifytothebaptism，youknow。\"
\"ButifIrefuse;ifIwillhavenothingtodowiththisthing！IfIwillnotgivemywordthatthereisnotsomemistake，\"saidthepriest，workinghimselfintoafeverishindignation。\"Thattherearenotslipsofmemory，eh？Ofsomanychildrenbaptized，isitpossibleformetoknowwhich，eh？AndifthisJuanitaisnotyourgirl，eh？\"
\"Thenyou’llhelpmetofindwhois，\"saidCranch，coolly。
FatherPedroturnedfuriouslyonhistormentor。Overcomebyhisvigilandanxiety。Hewasobliviousofeverythingbutthepresenceofthemanwhoseemedtousurpthefunctionsofhisownconscience。
\"Whoareyou，whospeakthus？\"hesaidhoarsely，advancinguponCranchwithoutstretchedandanathematizingfingers。\"Whoareyou，SenorHeathen，whodaretodictatetome，aFatherofHolyChurch？
Itellyou，Iwillhavenoneofthis。Never！Iwillnot。Fromthismoment，youunderstand——nothing。Iwillnever……\"
Hestopped。ThefirststrokeoftheAngelusrangfromthelittletower。Thefirststrokeofthatbellbeforewhosemagicexorcismallhumanpassionsfled，thepeacefulbellthathadforfiftyyearslulledthelittlefoldofSanCarmeltoprayerandrest，cametohisthrobbingear。Histremblinghandsgropedforthecrucifix，carriedittohisleftbreast;hislipsmovedinprayer。Hiseyeswereturnedtothecold，passionlesssky，whereafewfaint，far—
spacedstarshadsilentlystolentotheirplaces。TheAngelusstillrang，histremblingceased，heremainedmotionlessandrigid。
TheAmerican，whohaduncoveredindeferencetotheworshiperratherthantherite，waitedpatiently。TheeyesofFatherPedroreturnedtotheearth，moistasifwithdewcaughtfromabove。HelookedhalfabsentlyatCranch。
\"Forgiveme，myson，\"hesaid，inachangedvoice。\"Iamonlyawornoldman。Imusttalkwiththeemoreofthis——butnotto—
night——notto—night;——to—morrow——to—morrow——to—morrow。\"
Heturnedslowlyandappearedtoglideratherthanmoveunderthetrees，untilthedarkshadowoftheMissiontowermetandencompassedhim。Cranchfollowedhimwithanxiouseyes。Thenheremovedthequidoftobaccofromhischeek。
\"JustasIreckoned，\"remarkedhe，quiteaudibly。\"He’scleangoldonthebedrockafterall！\"