A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 A ROMANCE 
 OP THE CALIFORNIAS
 
 From a (tainting bu Jessie Qillespk 
 
 PAJA RITA
 
 A FLOWER 
 OF MONTEREY 
 
 A ROMANCE OF THE CALIFORNIAS 
 BY KATHERINE B. HAMILL 
 
 WITH ILLUSTRATIONS IN FULL COLOR 
 
 BY 
 
 JESSIE GILLESPIE AND EDMUND H. GARRETT 
 
 BOSTON 
 THE PAGE COMPANY 
 
 MDCCCCXXI 
 
 118578
 
 Copyright, 1921, by 
 THE PAGE COMPANY 
 
 All rights reserved 
 
 First Impression, April. 1921
 
 PS 
 
 33-15" 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTEB PAGE 
 
 I ON THE BEACH AT MONTEREY .... 1 
 
 II SENORA SOFIA . . 9 
 
 III SENORITA MARIE 22 
 
 IV AT THE MISSION 30 
 
 V PAJARITA 37 
 
 VI THE RUNAWAYS 48 
 
 VII THE RETURN OF PAJARITA 55 
 
 VIII DON Luis PAYS A CALL 66 
 
 IX THE ESCAPE OF MARTA 72 
 
 X A SECRET NO LONGER 76 
 
 XI PAJARITA VISITS THE PADRE PRESIDENT 90 
 
 XII DON JOSE Is WORRIED 106 
 
 XIII THOUGHTS AND MISGIVINGS 120 
 
 XIV SIR VANCOUVER VISITS MONTEREY . . 126 
 XV A WELCOME FROM THE PADRE PRESIDENT 139 
 
 XVI JOHN ASTERLY 148 
 
 XVII PAJARITA ATTENDS THE BALL "... 157 
 
 XVTII DON JOSE TAKES COUNSEL 169 
 
 XIX AT THE GRATING 182 
 
 XX A TREATY AND A PLEDGE 196 
 
 XXI THE DEDICATION OF THE CHAPEL 210
 
 VI 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 XXII SENORITA MARIE MAKES A VISIT . . 224 
 
 XXIII JOHN ASTERLY SHOWS His PLANS . 234 
 
 XXIV How FLOWERS ARE GATHERED BY 
 
 Two 245 
 
 XXV DON JOSE TELLS His SISTER .... 261 
 
 XXVI DON Luis IN DISGRACE 269 
 
 XXVII THE "CHARM-STICK" 279 
 
 XXVIII THE HEART OF JOHN ASTERLY ... 293 
 
 XXIX THE GOOD SHIP " BUENAVENTURA " . 304 
 
 XXX THE HEART OF PAJARITA 327
 
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 PAJARITA Frontispiece 
 
 FACING PAGE 
 
 SENORITA MARIE DE SOLVESTRO ; 1
 
 From a painting by Edmund H. Garrett 
 
 <DE
 
 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 ON THE BEACH AT MONTEREY 
 
 AT break of day the tongues of the mission 
 bells sing out a clear, silvery summons for all 
 souls to arise and worship. It would seem as if, 
 not content that men alone should glorify the 
 Creator, the bells call for the dawn. Joyously 
 it spreads its homage over land and sea. The 
 calm shimmering bay becomes as the lining of a 
 wondrous sea shell, and the thickly wooded hills, 
 and the little town that nestles in a cove at their 
 base, are transformed by the reflection from the 
 rising sun. Mass over, the people return to their 
 homes, the priests and neophytes to their labors. 
 On this beautiful November morning, when in 
 other parts of the world nature is frozen into sub 
 missive silence, California is vibrant with joyous 
 life. Every creature responds to the rapture ex 
 pressed, man, no less than the larks that lilt in 
 the meadows, or the robins that whistle in the 
 oaks. 
 
 Don Jose de Allegmissio turned from the 
 monolith at the chapel entrance, where he had 
 been talking with Father Juposa, and with rapid
 
 2 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 strides walked toward the water s edge. The 
 Padre watched with a yearning expression the 
 erect figure as it slipped farther and farther 
 away toward the horizon, then, unwrapping the 
 limp, brown robe from about his enfeebled limbs 
 where the mischievous breeze had chased it, en 
 tered the chapel. 
 
 Each day of Don Jose s life was regulated ac 
 cording to schedule. Aroused by the early 
 chimes, he attended mass, following his devo 
 tional with an excursion in the form of long 
 walks either over the mountain s side, or along 
 the water s edge. This started the day aright 
 and fully equipped him for the duties of the 
 Gobernador proprietario of the Calif ornias. 
 This morning he swung along with even gait, 
 arms swinging at his sides and his sombrero- 
 covered head held high. Why he chose the divid 
 ing line for his tramp this morning he did not 
 know. He walked several miles along the rugged 
 coast. At times he scattered whole flocks of anx 
 ious sea-gulls from their solid resting place to 
 see them soar through the clear air, then light on 
 the waves. Noting the position of the sun, Don 
 Jose turned back to continue his walk in the di 
 rection of the Presidio. Upon reaching the rim 
 of the full moon bay he threw off his sombrero 
 and seated himself on the quiet beach. A gentle 
 breeze, wafted in from the water, fanned away 
 the beads of moisture from his brow. It was a 
 glorious day. He lay flat on his back, his hands 
 pillowing his head, and half closed his eyes.
 
 ON THE BEACH 
 
 Slowly Don Jose became aware of another s 
 presence not far off from where he lay. At first 
 he observed the object dimly, then, as his interest 
 grew, his vision widened over the form of an un 
 known youth. The lad lay prone, watching with 
 a far-away, absent gaze, a school of dolphins 
 spouting iridescent sprays as they tumbled and 
 splashed in the sparkling water. His body was 
 as quiescent as the sands he lay upon, but his 
 luminous, blue eyes were as deep and full of mo 
 tion as the sapphire sea. A cheek rested on a 
 palm, the elbow supporting it sunk into the 
 sands. The yellow sunlight danced among the 
 stocky curls, making them the replica of spun 
 gold. Don Jose studied each detail separately, 
 absorbed in the task. Being a naturally method 
 ical man, he completed an outward, before tak 
 ing an inward inventory. 
 
 " Muchacho! " he called. 
 
 The voice startled the boy like a bolt from the 
 sky, bringing him to his feet. His eyes dilated. 
 Never before had he seen a man so splendidly 
 dressed a uniform of mingled black and red, 
 silver and gold. It was not the color that star 
 tled the boy, so much as the lavish richness of 
 the silver braid and gilded spangles displayed on 
 jacket and tall sombrero. His eye caught the 
 silver embroidery on the high deer-skin boots and 
 the silver spurs that had been pushed high on the 
 instep so as not to impede walking. Again Don 
 Jose spoke to the boy. 
 
 "Muchacho! Where did you come from? "
 
 4 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " I , I do not understand you, sir." 
 
 "Ah, muchacho mio!" A light shone in Don 
 Jose s eyes. " English you speak ! " 
 
 A smile started the dimples at the boy s mouth, 
 and a light in his eyes. The smile drew Don 
 Jose. "You have been in Monterey long? " 
 
 " I was pushed off here yesterday ! " 
 
 "Pushed? I do not understand! Come, mu 
 chacho, sit here," he smoothed a ruffled bank of 
 sand, " and tell me what you mean." 
 
 The boy obeyed instantly, slipping lithely to 
 the spot. " I was on the trading boat that came 
 yesterday. The skipper brought me ashore and 
 told me I could not return with them; so they 
 hove off without me." A lump had gathered in 
 his throat. 
 
 " Why did he do that, boy? " 
 
 " Because my father, he he died on board, 
 and was thrown to the sea-wolves, and since then 
 the sailors have been seeing ghosts." 
 
 " Muchacho, tell me about it." 
 
 " My father s frigate sailed around the Horn 
 and anchored at Manzanilla. A week we stayed 
 at that port. After the frigate left Manzanilla 
 and we had been under sail two days, my father 
 became sick. Before another port could be 
 reached he died and was thrown overboard. 
 From then on, the ship s luck changed. A storm 
 struck the boat at San Lucas, the rigging and 
 masts were broken and torn, and the sailors be 
 came mutinous. The skipper said it was be 
 cause of me. He told me they believed the devil
 
 ON THE BEACH 
 
 would follow the ship while the dead man s child 
 was on board." 
 
 " Continue, muchacho ! " 
 
 " The only way the skipper could quiet them 
 was to promise that when another port was 
 reached I was to be taken ashore and left. So 
 when Monterey was sighted they hove to, and, 
 leaving me, pushed off." 
 
 " Did the skipper tell you all this while you 
 were on the frigate? " 
 
 " No, seiior. It was after we landed on this 
 beach. He told me that the sailors would kill 
 me if I went back to them." 
 
 Don Jose had lived too long, and had had too 
 severe experiences in his rule of the Californias, 
 to allow sentiment to play a part in his life. 
 Most people thought him austere, but all thought 
 him just. Aside from his sister Sofia, the Cali 
 fornias was his only family, and he studied to 
 protect them as such. 
 
 " Gielol" He shrugged his shoulders, twirl 
 ing a nicely curled mustache to its tip. A deep 
 annoyance, which the child could not understand, 
 showed in his face. He bit his underlip thought 
 fully before asking : " Now, my boy, what are you 
 going to do? " 
 
 The boy was dexterously burrowing a hole into 
 the sand with a dirty little foot. He looked up 
 quickly : " I am going to stay here until another 
 boat comes, then I am going to Boston, and there 
 I shall find those devils, and I am going to have 
 them choked ! "
 
 6 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " Caramba! " The boy fortunately missed the 
 expression in Don Jose s eyes. " You are how 
 old?" 
 
 " Sixteen, senor! " 
 
 " Quef " Don Jos6 firmly believed the boy 
 was lying and that the slight form told the tale 
 of no more than twelve summers. " Your name, 
 now, mttchaekat" 
 
 "Peter!" 
 
 " Que? No. No!" For some seconds, he 
 looked thoughtfully at the boy, then a pleased 
 smile lighted his face. " Listen, muchacho! " 
 
 "Pajarito, amarillito, 
 Colorcito de limon, " 1 
 
 " Tis you ! Pajarito is your name by right, 
 like you the name? " 
 
 The boy s smile again won Don Jose". 
 
 " Yes, senor, when you say it. I guess it is as 
 good as Peter and will do while I am here." 
 
 " Very well then, it will be my name for you. 
 Now your other name, your real one? " 
 
 " No ! I have only the one." A silence 
 followed ; the man studying the boy, the boy the 
 distance away beyond the horizon. A wist- 
 fulness had crept into the deep, lonely eyes. 
 
 The man s voice startled the boy. " Pajarito, 
 come ! I will take you to a home until the ship 
 comes." 
 
 " Your home, senor? " 
 
 i Little bird, yellow bird, 
 Golden of wing,
 
 " Jesus, no ! " * 
 
 The small head was thrown back defiantly. 
 " I will not go ! " 
 
 " Virgen Santissima! What, then you intend 
 to stay on the beach until a ship comes? " 
 
 The boy pressed a thoughtful finger to his lips, 
 his head tilted in musing. He moved closer to 
 Don Jose s side and slipped a small hand into 
 the large one. " I will be your boy until the ship 
 comes ! " 
 
 The man drew his hand awa^ somewhat 
 roughly. 
 
 " Dios! I need not a boy. Too many there 
 are now they make one distracted! " 
 
 The boy frowned : " I ll be a good worker, 
 senor." 
 
 " No No ! There are many to work, I need 
 no more, the place is full of little Indian brats ! " 
 
 The boy turned to him quickly : " I hate you ! 
 You are like those sailor devils, you push a boy 
 off the earth because he is small and can t fight 
 you ! " 
 
 " Ah ! " drawled the man. " You think you 
 get what you want if you fight? " 
 
 " You ve got to fight for some things ! " 
 
 " Would you be a soldier, and fight for your 
 King? " 
 
 The boy thought for some moments : " I d fight 
 for a chance to be your boy ! " 
 
 The Governor lifted his brows in surprise: 
 " Then if you were my boy, what then? " 
 
 " I d fight for you, until I was big enough to
 
 8 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 chase down those thieves, then I d choke them 
 until they screamed like sea-devils." 
 
 The Governor, with hands clasped behind him, 
 walked back and forth a few paces, then stopped 
 short and called : 
 
 " Pajarito, come you quick ! Holy Virgin ! 
 The sun! Do you see the sun, muchachof It 
 says the breakfast will be gone." 
 
 A triumphant joy beamed in the boy s anxious 
 face. 
 
 Don Jose muttered thoughtfully as they neared 
 the Presidio : " Mother of Christ ! Sofia will be 
 cross, very cross."
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 SENORA SOFIA 
 
 THE space of a gun-shot from the water s edge 
 stood the Presidio of Monterey. The sunlight 
 gleamed on the tiled roofs of the white adobe 
 cottages that formed a rectangle. Within this 
 space were several cannon, some resting on the 
 smooth, hard earth, others raised on improvised 
 bases, ready for defense. 
 
 Don Jose with the boy passed through the main 
 entrance into the square, and, ignoring the won 
 dering glances, entered his own open doorway. 
 The soft, yellow light flooded the small, white- 
 walled room, known as the Governor s estudio. 
 It was furnished with a long table and several 
 small red-wood benches, the latter covered 
 with stretched hides. Along the walls were 
 shelves, some completely, others partially filled 
 with books an unus.ua! collection for that 
 time. 
 
 Senora Sofia opened a side door and entered 
 as the two reached the threshold. The full 
 silken skirts of the matronly woman rustled 
 loudly, almost drowning her languid tones: 
 
 " Mio brother, very long have I waited your 
 return. Holy mother! What have you? " Her 
 
 indolence vanished. 
 
 9
 
 10 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 Don Jose looked at the child and noticed his 
 breakfast muy pronto, the child is faint." 
 
 " Holy Saints ! " the woman gasped, and left 
 hastily. 
 
 Don Jose picked the lad up and carried him 
 into the dining-room. At the long table he 
 seated the boy on a bench beside his own. Se- 
 nora Sofia from her seat noticed, and a gasp was 
 the only sign of her astonishment. " An out 
 rageous example," she thought, " a child at table 
 with its elders ! " 
 
 Don Jose, ignorant of establishing a precedent, 
 sat immobile of feature, oblivious of surround 
 ings. Rather above the medium height, and be 
 low the average weight, with fair hair and blue 
 eyes, he drew attention, gained respect, and held 
 the general regard, despite his austerity. His 
 thoughts were well weighed, his acts decisive. 
 Not yet forty-five years of age, Don Jos6 im 
 pressed others with his capacity and judgment. 
 The Spaniard is indolent by tendency, and, be 
 cause in his habitat nature provides for his needs 
 superabundantly, his livelihood becomes a sine 
 cure. Don Jose by mere contrast stood out pre 
 eminently among his associates. 
 
 Presently Don Jose noticed the child was not 
 eating. He had drunk the thick, sweet choco 
 late, but the unfamiliar food he had barely 
 tasted. 
 
 " Muchacho, eat the food, it is what you 
 need ! "
 
 SENORA SOFIA 11 
 
 " It is hot, sir ! " He put a protesting fist 
 against his burning lips. 
 
 " Humph ! It is a sensitive palate you have." 
 
 The boy met the clear, direct eyes of the man, 
 then, dropping his own, picked up the round 
 cake and ate it without a word. A gleam came 
 into the man s eyes. Donna Sofia watched, a 
 slow wrath stirring her sluggish blood. She was 
 burning with curiosity and something deeper; 
 Don Jose had not consulted her as to bringing 
 this strange youth into their home. Not for a 
 kingdom, however, would she broach the subject ; 
 she would await his pleasure. 
 
 Senora Sofia was more than a personality, she 
 was a sister of the Gobernador proprietario of 
 the Californias. Her brother s home she man 
 aged with mathematical precision. This trait 
 was suggested by the curve of her upper lip, 
 made thin from constant pressure, and by the 
 subtle quietness that with her became a force. 
 This characteristic spoke from her eyes, which at 
 times were velvety as the petals of a brown pansy, 
 and at other times as glinting as steel in the sun 
 light. Her over-plump form told of past ease 
 and luxury; and her hair, parted in the middle 
 and as sleek and black as night, suggested mental 
 tranquillity. 
 
 The Comandante of the Presidio came in be 
 fore the meal was finished. After the greeting 
 was over, the Governor explained the boy s pres 
 ence. 
 
 " Caramba! " blurted the brusque Comand-
 
 12 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 ante, " the hounds slip by in spite of the strictest 
 vigilance." 
 
 " True ! " The Governor frowned thought 
 fully and hesitated before continuing. " But, by 
 the souls of our fathers, it must be stopped. Ad 
 venturers and explorers shall not be allowed fu 
 ture privileges. It is simply breeding hornets 
 that will become a swarm some time and sting 
 us, perhaps to death. Do not permit them to 
 land. Under no consideration must they gain a 
 knowledge of our defenses." 
 
 "Holy Saints! You say defenses ? It is 
 amusing to hear one use the word in connection 
 with our crumbling forts." 
 
 " True, true ! However, we were not discuss 
 ing the condition of our defenses, that subject 
 will rest until later." This was a sensitive point 
 with the Governor. 
 
 " Dios, no ! Not the time for the subject now 
 it can wait, eh? Caramba! Is it not the sub 
 ject that is continually uppermost in our minds? 
 Are we preventing the vipers from slipping 
 through the grass, and can we prevent them in 
 the future, under the existing conditions? 
 Saints of heaven, no! What protection have 
 we against an enemy? Our forts are but 
 crumbling monuments of past hopes, our 
 dwellings, are they not going the way of the 
 defenses? " 
 
 " Calm yourself, senor. You well know the 
 nature of my last report to our worthy viceroy 
 in Mexico."
 
 SENORA SOFIA 13 
 
 " That I do, but what encouragement in the 
 reply? " 
 
 " None, that is for the present need, for tis 
 boats we are urgent for just now ; however, to me 
 there is a glimmer of hope between the lines, as 
 I interpret it." 
 
 " Humph ! A glimmer indeed, and that is all. 
 It is but the tinsel of hypocritical delay. Know 
 you not, senor, that were the glimmering hopes, 
 which alone have been given to sustain us, mate 
 rialized in action, our fortresses could defy the 
 world s forces? " 
 
 " You are right ! " The Governor pushed back 
 his seat and after passing the cigarettes to the 
 Comandante lighted one for himself and puffed 
 at it thoughtfully for a second. " It is a weak 
 ness of Charles to put off for a more convenient 
 time the most important duties, relying on 
 chance to avert calamity." 
 
 " Caramba! Si, senor, si. Charles of Spain 
 concerns not himself over weighty matters until 
 they press upon him in sore consequences. Tis 
 enough for him that Spain s emblem waves over 
 the Californias, and we are duly encouraged with 
 1 glimmering hopes. The irate man puffed vig 
 orously at the half-smoked cigarette, then with 
 an impatient gesture, threw it contemptuously 
 to the floor. " Does it move him to rage, think 
 you, to know that Kussian vipers are carrying 
 away enough furs from our coast to set the Cali 
 fornias on their feet, and all because we have not 
 the ships with which to protect our coasts? "
 
 14 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 The Governor s eyes narrowed, he waited, then 
 spoke thoughtfully. 
 
 " Senor, it is our own problem, not Spam s. 
 We can handle it to our best ability or leave it. 
 However, it is a difficult feat to walk the waves, 
 for, as you have said, if we would handle the sit 
 uation immediately, it must be with boats. I 
 would advise patience and prudence." 
 
 With a muttered oath the lusty Comandante 
 got to his feet. " The thieving, blood-sucking 
 vipers know we have no ships, and, for the pres 
 ent at least, they are reaping a rich spoil." 
 
 " The situation is clear, Senor Comandante. 
 There are other ways to protect a garden than 
 by hedging it about, and we will find the way. 
 As I said, I have gained something from the 
 viceroy s statement; the Californias must rely 
 on their own efforts." 
 
 " Caramba! Twas what the viceroy voiced? " 
 
 " 8i, and more : Charles is concerned over Eng 
 land s threats of war. It seems that England s 
 inquisitorial sailing along shores not her own has 
 given Senor Martinez an opportunity to seize 
 some of her ships; this action enraged England 
 to the point of hostilities. Charles now can 
 think of nothing else than possible complacencies 
 to calm the British bulldog." 
 
 " Dios! The British bulldog has ever watched 
 with green eyes Spain s fair possessions. May 
 the devil s own wrath sink all their ships. What 
 more said he, senor? " 
 
 " That chance has placed opportunity at our
 
 SENORA SOFIA 15 
 
 door, and we are to promote the welfare of the 
 Californias through wisdom and grave discre 
 tion, independent of Spain s- financial aid. In 
 other words, Spain will extend but moral sup 
 port. See you not then possibilities for us in 
 personal action, and the hopes that we ourselves 
 can materialize? " 
 
 " No, seiior, frankly I can not." 
 
 Don Jose took him by the arm. " Come, we 
 will talk further on the subject in my study." 
 Arm in arm they left the room. 
 
 Donna Sofia and Pajarito were still at table 
 when the door closed behind the two men. 
 Donna Sofia was lingering over a delectable 
 dainty, but Pajarito had finished his meal and 
 was passing away the time in tracing the irregu 
 lar designs in the Indian woven mats that lay 
 over the adobe floor. An Indian servant, enter 
 ing to speak to her mistress, drew Sofia s atten 
 tion away from the boy. As the two were leav 
 ing the room Pajarito jumped to his feet. Un 
 able to suppress his pent-up feelings longer, he 
 slipped behind Donna Sofia and executed a queer 
 little dance with tip-toeing antics. Donna Sofia, 
 suddenly recalling the boy, turned to see this 
 gay performance. It loomed an impish omen of 
 her future, should the boy remain an inmate of 
 the household. The fire in her brown eyes 
 fascinated the boy, whose expression, as she 
 jerked him by the arm, half dragging him to 
 the window seat, changed from mischief to 
 defiance.
 
 16 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " There you stay, you little foreign imp, until 
 I return ! " 
 
 With an angry swish she left the room. No 
 sooner had the door closed behind her than 
 Pajarito, not losing sight of an opportunity, flew 
 through an open doorway into the sunny patio. 
 
 The patio was a large square, rimmed on three 
 sides by a corridor from which doors opened into 
 the casa. On the fourth side a rose-covered wall 
 closed in the square. In the center was a gur 
 gling fountain. The water as it fell splashed a 
 bed of lilies floating in the basin. Sunshine and 
 flowers filled the place and in designs of sym 
 metry and beauty, ferns, palms and tropical trees 
 formed fairy nooks. 
 
 Pajarito s heart leaped as he bounded over the 
 winding walks. Waving his arms above his 
 head, he landed in the midst of a group of Indian 
 children on a hand-turning " cartwheel." Per 
 turbation and interest woke at once in the little, 
 brown faces. 
 
 " Hello ! " laughed the flushed Pajarito, as he 
 brushed the damp curls from his eyes. " Can 
 any of you do that? " 
 
 Language is essential for clear apprehension 
 among men, but, in the boy s world, it weighs less 
 than actions. The timid, brown boys held back 
 from the strange youth until won through sheer 
 admiration. One little fellow with squat, grimy 
 body and flat face gained Pajarito s favor by his 
 persistency in trying to imitate the stranger s 
 antics. The Indian boy s small, beady eyes shone
 
 SENORA SOFIA 17 
 
 adoration while he watched Pajarito, then copied 
 his antics. On and on they tumbled over the 
 sandy paths and the grassy beds chasing the 
 birds from the heavy rose-laden vines, and scat 
 tering the bees from the flowers. The patio rang 
 with childish glee. The unusual sounds, occur 
 ring especially during the hours of siesta, drew 
 Donna Sofia and a half dozen servants to the en 
 trances. Blank consternation made rigid the 
 woman s face and attitude. Her cap was awry, 
 and her sleepy face scarlet. She called to the 
 boys in irate tones. Only the Indian boys 
 obeyed; Pajarito stood watching Donna Sofia 
 wave indignant arms. His unresponsiveness ex 
 asperated the woman; she turned to a maid at 
 her side, who went directly to Pajarito and took 
 his arm. He switched himself away with impa 
 tience and stood looking defiantly at the girl. 
 Angry words fell from Donna Sofia s rigid lips. 
 Peremptorily she again ordered the maid. A 
 fearful, appealing light flashed into the large lu 
 minous eyes of the Indian girl ; the boy looked in 
 her face for a second, then swung defiantly to 
 Sofia s side. She grasped his arm with little 
 gentleness, and muttering angry epithets led him 
 into the house and to a small room where a nar 
 row bed, in spotless white, stood in a corner. 
 
 " You will undress and go to bed, si? When 
 I wish you to leave the room I shall send for 
 you." With a quick turn she went out, closing 
 and locking the door after her. 
 
 Siesta is a custom with the Spaniards, but to
 
 18 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 Pajarito, born on American soil, and reared with 
 no restrictions, the idea of going to bed in the 
 daytime was more than absurd, and in this in 
 stance real tyranny. The room was small and 
 the ceiling low, and to this boy who had sailed 
 the wide, open seas and with a freedom unknown 
 to most children, it was an actual cell. He beat 
 at the imaginary shackles that seemed to bind 
 him; he rushed from the closed door to a small 
 window, grated with rods and festooned outside 
 with rose vines and great clusters of Castilian 
 roses. It was too high from the ground. In a 
 fever of anxiety he scanned the room ; there was 
 nothing that could assist him but the stately 
 prie-dieu with its kneeling-stool before it. Kick 
 ing the stool aside Pajarito tumbled the assem 
 blage of sacred images on his bed and dragged 
 the prie-dieu to the grating. For a second, to 
 gain his breath, he sat on the wide sill. The 
 monotonous echo of the pounding surf came to 
 his ears. It .seemed to come as a voice from 
 home, and a sob rose in his throat. With stren 
 uous effort he beat at the bars. Again and again 
 he used all his strength, then in a spasm of fury 
 he threw himself across the bed. Deep, angry 
 sobs shook his slight frame. Boiling and toss 
 ing, he pounded the coverlet with clinched fists. 
 Loneliness, the trying experiences of an un 
 usual day, and the foreign people and customs 
 all were tragedies to the boy. The storm raged 
 awhile, then gradually subsided, but no sunshine 
 followed for the lonely little heart. His mind
 
 SENORA SOFIA 19 
 
 traveled over the circumstances that had indeed 
 made his case pitiful. 
 
 A month since, his father, Captain Weather 
 man, had sailed from Boston on a freighting 
 cruise, taking with him his only child. Falling 
 ill, and failing to receive the needed treatment, 
 the captain had died and was thrown overboard, 
 even as the boy had related to Don Jose. The 
 sailors, not wishing to be encumbered with the 
 spoiled child of their captain, and being, like 
 all seamen, superstitious of dead men s belong 
 ings, left him on the beach at Monterey. Should 
 the child not rebel against a fate that had cast 
 him mercilessly upon a strange land and among 
 foreign people? 
 
 He lay thinking over the events of the day. 
 With a determined swing he arose from the bed 
 and again climbed to the wide sill. Running his 
 hand along the edge of the casing he felt a hinge. 
 Quickly he peered into the thick foliage, eagerly 
 he pried and pushed. Not having the required 
 strength, he reached for the kneeling stool. At a 
 single blow, the grating loosened. Euthlessly he 
 tore the vines and roses from the grating, and in 
 an instant was on the sandy walk in the patio. 
 Stealthily he crept behind the shrubs until he 
 reached the end wall. Planting his feet firmly 
 on a sturdy creeper, he scaled the wall, ripping 
 his clothing and flesh on the sharp thorns. 
 From the top of the thick wall he dropped to the 
 other side. Looking then neither to the right nor 
 the left he flew like a bird on the breeze to the
 
 20 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 water s edge. On and on he ran until, breath 
 less, and with a pounding heart, he fell face 
 downward on the damp sands. " If I were only 
 a bird ! " he whispered. " I could fly home." 
 The thought brought blinding tears. There was 
 no home for him anywhere now. He lay there 
 awhile watching a flock of sea-gulls sporting on 
 the waves. 
 
 It was only after he had fallen asleep, soothed 
 by the crooning surf, that Juan, the Indian boy, 
 crept from behind the rocks and sat beside him, 
 a self-appointed sentinel. 
 
 Twilight shut out the blue of the horizon be 
 hind which the sun had just slipped, and shadows 
 of softened gray crept in from the sea shrouding 
 the purple of mountain tops and the gold of a 
 sunset sky. A fog as opalescent and lightly 
 floating as a maiden s veil had dampened the 
 clothing of the two children. 
 
 Don Jose and his criado found the two fast 
 asleep, the one sprawled flat, his arm pillowing 
 his curly head, the Indian boy, some distance 
 back, in sitting posture, his knees supporting his 
 drooping head. The latter jumped to his feet as 
 the two men dismounted. The strange boy slept 
 on. The long, unusual day had completely ex 
 hausted him. Thoughtfully Don Jose stood over 
 the boy. Something, perhaps the air that hangs 
 about and distinguishes a foreigner from the na 
 tives, made the slender form pathetic. Don Jose 
 stooped and roused him. 
 
 " Muchacho! "
 
 SENORA SOFIA 21 
 
 With a dazed expression on his sleepy face, 
 Pajarito got to his feet. Slowly memory re 
 called past events. 
 
 " I do not want to go back ! " 
 
 "Why?" 
 
 " I , I do not know/ a lump choked the 
 words in his throat. He flung himself again on 
 the sands. 
 
 " But, you are brave, my little guest? " 
 
 The boy got to his feet instantly. " Yes, I am 
 brave ! " 
 
 " That is what I believe, nino. Now we under 
 stand each other? " 
 
 " Yes, sefior. I could almost love you now." 
 This brought a merry laugh from both. 
 
 " Good ! The almost must soon become the 
 certainty, let us hope, then we will be fast 
 friends." 
 
 " How could I ever be anything else to such 
 a friend as you ! " 
 
 Many years later Don Jose would recall this 
 scene and this careless conversation. The small 
 group returned to the Presidio and the Gov 
 ernor s casa, which was to be a home to the little 
 outcast.
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 SENORITA MARIE 
 
 MILITARY drill, every afternoon following 
 siesta, was really a social feature. In the open 
 square opposite the verandas, erect men attired 
 in uniforms of brilliant hues marched and coun 
 termarched to the music produced by a small 
 band of Indians from string instruments, then 
 with much pomp and ceremony saluted the flag 
 of Spain, while the cannon shouted a valediction 
 of the vanishing sun. 
 
 The yellow sunlight shining free and full on 
 the gaudy uniforms, the sparkling reflection on 
 the silver and gold braids, yellow and scarlet 
 facings, and the more somber, softening effects 
 of the leathern jackets of the privates, made a 
 brilliant and beautiful picture. 
 
 On the pagoda-roofed porches, extending along 
 the front of the cottages and interlaced with 
 thick vines supporting clusters of fragrant Cas- 
 tilian roses, there were assembled the families 
 of the Presidio. An unusually attractive group 
 was gathered on the Comandante de Solvestro s 
 veranda. Senora Delfina, wife of the Comand 
 ante, held her seat " in state " beside her serving 
 table. At her right was the Padre Juposa, and 
 
 at her left Donna Sofia, the Governor s sister, 
 
 22
 
 SENQRITA MARIE 23 
 
 About the porch were grouped the many young 
 folk, made up of the aristocracy of the Presidio. 
 Pretty senoritas in voluminous, gay skirts, and 
 flimsy rebosas, resembling butterflies; young 
 caballeros gaudily attired in spangled bolero 
 jackets and gaudy sashes, gallant cavaliers with 
 clanking spurs, and tasseled sombreros, the lat 
 ter held in graceful pose as they talked, or 
 bowed with courtly deference before enchanting 
 beauty. 
 
 Marie, only daughter of the Comandante, sat 
 apart on the steps, about her a group of ardent 
 admirers. With chin resting in her palm she 
 watched with appraising eyes the marching men 
 on the campus. An audacious caballero lounged 
 close at her feet. The air was scented with roses 
 and the more pungent tang of salt that came in 
 land with the ocean breeze; its charm was one 
 with the inspiring strains from the martial band. 
 The caballero drew closer to Marie and whis^ 
 pered : 
 
 " Mother of my soul, you are beautiful, Seno* 
 rita Marie, and I adore you ! " 
 
 Her attention seemed riveted on the campus. 
 The passionate avowal was ignored. 
 
 " Buenos dias, seiiorita ! You are driving my 
 soul to perdition ! " 
 
 Slowly the wide fan ceased waving and two 
 midnight eyes turned toward the caballero. She 
 allowed the spangled fan to rest just below the 
 long, curling lashes, exposing two sparkling, tan 
 talizing eyes. For a moment she scanned the
 
 24 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 face of the man, a handsome face, but meaning 
 less except where indulgence had drawn volup 
 tuous lines. 
 
 " Si, seiior? Then I am mistaken in thinking 
 it is your habits that are sending you fast on 
 your way to that place, Don Luis? Pardon." 
 She had yawned a trifle. 
 
 " Mother of my soul ! You cause me anguish. 
 I can think of nothing but you, seuorita." 
 
 " You astonish me, Don Luis. I had no idea 
 of any capacity in you for concentration." 
 Smiling she arose to her feet. The drill had 
 drawn to a close, and the men were scattering 
 in all directions. The Comandante, big, breath 
 less, and flushed, accompanied by the Governor 
 and Captain Sol, entered the porch. At that mo 
 ment Indian maids appeared with wines, dulces, 
 chocolate and cigarettes. The young folk gath 
 ered about the new comers, and all was noisy 
 glee. 
 
 " Caramba! I could drink an ocean of wine 
 with such a thirst as I have ! " puffed the Com 
 andante advancing to Donna Dalfina. Seeing 
 the venerable priest, he stopped and bent low 
 over his extended hand. 
 
 " Valedor, buen Padre Juposa. I am at your 
 service. No ! pray drink first, and you Don Jose 
 Governor, eh ; vaya, well, to please you with 
 out further ceremony for I choke." Again the 
 wine went round, and hospitably the Comand 
 ante joined with all. At last, seating himself, 
 he turned to the Governor.
 
 SENORITA MARIE 25 
 
 " Seilor Governor ! the men showed the spirit 
 of their country this day, si? " 
 
 The Governor was sipping his wine slowly 
 and thoughtfully between long puffs of smoke. 
 After a rather long silence he blew the smoke 
 high above his brows and spoke carefully as if 
 planning his words: 
 
 " The spirit of the country is steeped in in 
 dolence." Then he added as if in afterthought, 
 " The drill was good and spoke much for your 
 excellent discipline." 
 
 " Caramba! " roared the irate Comandante, 
 " you lack enthusiasm ! Tis not all in the train 
 ing, senor ; the feeling back of the effort has some 
 thing to do with results." 
 
 " There may be actual spirit there ; but, in 
 any case, I do not doubt that if your present pa 
 tience and enthusiasm endure, the results will be 
 satisfactory." This was said with great earnest 
 ness, yet behind the half lowered lids twinkled 
 a covert amusement. The Comandante s ambi 
 tious faith in his unambitious and distinctly in 
 dolent troops was something to be humored with 
 Castilian courtesy behind a cryptic word or 
 smile. 
 
 Don Jose then turned to the Comandante s 
 daughter, and lifting her hand kissed it gal 
 lantly. 
 
 " Seiiorjta Marie, I am at your service." 
 
 She flashed him a smile that went beyond him 
 to include Captain Sol just then approaching the 
 veranda. The Captain s eyes beamed greeting
 
 26 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 and intense admiration. Bowing low over her 
 hand, he breathed: 
 
 " Senorita, you are adorable ! " 
 
 Marie, radiant, divided her attention between 
 her admirers. No two men in the Presidio 
 pleased her more. Artfully she kept her eyes 
 speaking first to the one, and then to the other, 
 succeeding in holding both peacefully at her side. 
 As an Indian maid drew near, Marie turned to 
 her: " Bueno! Here, senores, are the cigarettes 
 and the dulces. Will your choice be sweets, or 
 smoke? Que! No sweets? Our Governor is 
 very wise; the soothing leaves steady the mind, 
 while sweets are for us weaker ones who need 
 no mental antidote." 
 
 " The senorita s beauty makes unnecessary 
 any other charm." 
 
 " Gracias! Very pretty, and worthy our buen 
 Governor; and you, Captain Sol?" 
 
 " The dulces are much to my liking, senorita, 
 they are several degrees nearer your ultimate 
 sweetness." 
 
 " Tis spice and condiments I should offer, 
 to compete with your flattery." Tilting her 
 pretty head, she walked away; then cast back a 
 tantalizing smile from behind her spread fan. 
 Captain Sol could not resist the invitation. He 
 followed, gaining her side where she stood among 
 a group of merry young folk, sedulously watched 
 over by faithful duennas. 
 
 Don Jose went to the Padre Juposa : " Padre, 
 I will walk with you when you take your leave."
 
 SENQRITA MARIE 27 
 
 The gentle father sat enjoying the comfort of 
 the hour. 
 
 " You are in haste? " he asked. Don Jose un 
 derstood the padre s reluctance to shorten an 
 enjoyable moment, so added quickly, to the relief 
 of the priest. " No, good padre, time is as etern 
 ity ever waiting." 
 
 " True, son. Never is there a shortage in the 
 Californias of either leisure or bounty." He 
 smacked his finely curved lips over the sparkling 
 wine. " Tis a gift of God ! I am at your serv 
 ice when you will, son." 
 
 " In a moment then, buen Padre." Don Jose 
 turned from the priest and again joined the Com- 
 andante w r ho was leisurely enjoying a special 
 wine brewed at the Santa Barbara mission. The 
 Comandante was now fully restored to tranquil 
 lity, and his naturally loud voice was good na- 
 tured and genial. The Comandante Solestro was 
 a true blue-blood of old Spain, therefore, a born 
 royalist, though he would impugn the merits of 
 Spain s reigning monarch, and bluster with a 
 show of sincerity in his harmless attacks. At all 
 times he displayed a love of power. Impulsive 
 by nature, but firm and impregnable in principle, 
 he guided the military force of the Presidio with 
 ardent enthusiasm mingled with an exacting and 
 absolute patriotism. Creating enemies by his 
 frank, official arrogance, he converted them 
 shortly into friends by his genuine good will. 
 This seeming antithesis of disposition was mani 
 fested also in his household, where he was def-
 
 28 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 initely the master, though a fond husband, and 
 even an indulgent father. Of medium stature, 
 he was thick set, and of florid color. His thick 
 gray hair refused to lie flat, and bristling gray 
 whiskers shot out like tusks from his square 
 jaw. 
 
 He turned to Don Jose as the latter drew near, 
 his glance expressing genuine fondness. He 
 cherished hopes that matrimonial ties would 
 strengthen his fondness into paternal affection. 
 But, alas ! his Marie s choice was as yet very un 
 certain. Some believed Marie had no heart, but 
 to all appearances, at least, she had not lost it to 
 another, though many had sought to possess it. 
 She was but sixteen, yet fully developed. Of only 
 medium height, she impressed one as being taller 
 because of the consummate dignity with which 
 she carried herself. Her skin was clear white, 
 that priceless mark of the pure Castilian race, her 
 teeth small and perfect, her eyes blue-black and 
 fringed with long curling lashes. All this 
 beauty was accentuated by her indolent grace 
 and air of repose. Women thought her scorn 
 ful; men always declared her charming. 
 Whether scornful or gracious the difference of 
 opinion lay in her capricious will to deliberately 
 flout or please. 
 
 The Comandante was speaking of his daugh 
 ter to the Governor, when the Padre Juposa drew 
 near. Instantly Don Jose rose to his feet : 
 
 "One moment, Padre bucno!" With courtly 
 grace he separately kissed the hand of the wife
 
 SENORITA MARIE 29 
 
 and daughter of the Comandante, then taking 
 his sister s arm followed the priest. 
 
 When the three reached the doorway of the 
 Governor s casa, unusual sounds of music and 
 hilarity came from the direction of the salla. 
 Donna Sofia would have hastened in first, but 
 Don Jose gently drew her back, and himself led 
 the way. Entering the casa the group stood un 
 observed in the doorway, quietly watching the 
 scene.
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 AT THE MISSION 
 
 IN the center of the room was a half circle of 
 little bronzed forms with happy faces; before 
 these were candles burning in the sacred candle 
 sticks and burnished gold candelabrum, the lat 
 ter Sofia s most precious treasure, an heirloom 
 brought from Spain. The tapering flames cast 
 a softened glow upon the eager faces turned to 
 Pajarito as he danced the " Sailor s Horn Pipe " 
 to Juan s accompaniment on his guitar. Back 
 and forth went Pajarito s arms in lively motion, 
 his sandaled feet blithely tripping the measure, 
 his body swaying lithely, and his bobbing curls 
 keeping even tempo with tune and toes. A deep 
 joy was in his face, and his eyes shone brighter 
 than the tapering flames of the candles. His 
 whole being seemed to vibrate rhythm. 
 
 Donna Sofia, unable to contain herself longer, 
 stepped into the midst of the group, scattering 
 the frightened Indians in all directions. Pa 
 jarito, unabashed at the intrusion, ran to Don 
 Jose. The boy s ruddy cheeks were aglow : " Oh, 
 daddy-don, we have had a grand time! I had 
 only to close my eyes now and then to seem on 
 
 the ocean. When I would just peep at the bob- 
 so
 
 AT THE MISSION 31 
 
 bing lights, I could see glints of moonlight on 
 the waves." 
 
 Don Jose stood still and cool, but deep in his 
 eyes was a tinge of mirth. In Donna Sofia s 
 burned flames of wrath. 
 
 " Brother mio, an outrage is this performance ! 
 The little heathen with his uncouth manners! 
 Do you see the blessed candlesticks and the 
 holy candles? and oh, dios! My precious can 
 delabrum ! " Trembling with indignation she 
 marched from the room. 
 
 Don Jose put his hand on Pajarito s head. 
 " Immediately put the things away in their right 
 places. Use care, muchacho great care, then 
 follow^ me ! " 
 
 Three weeks had passed since Don Jose had 
 taken Pajarito from the beach to his home in the 
 Presidio. After .witnessing the scene in the salla, 
 Don Jose, Donna Sofia and the Padre Juposa all 
 realized the change that had taken place in their 
 otherwise uneventful lives. To Don Jose the 
 change was more than agreeable, it brought a 
 new interest an added zest, and an emotion 
 he had never manifested, and did not know he 
 possessed. To Donna Sofia it brought nothing 
 but unrest annoyance outweighing the ad 
 vantage of the new spirit of youth alive in the 
 house. As yet to the good priest it was as the 
 wind may blow. 
 
 Don Jose and the father watched the boy re 
 place the precious articles, neither uttering a
 
 32 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 word. When Pajarito finished, Don Jose called 
 the domo : 
 
 " Tell your mistress I shall go to the Mission." 
 With Padre Juposa and Pajarito accompanying 
 him he left the casa. 
 
 On their way up the hillside road that led to 
 the Carmelo Mission, the two men talked ear 
 nestly together. The gentle father argued; the 
 worldly man was decided and firm. When al 
 most at the plateau where the Mission buildings 
 stood, Don Jose spoke to the lad at his side. 
 
 " Pajarito, each day you are to come to the 
 Mission for instruction from Padre Juposa." 
 
 The old man, short and slender almost to 
 emaciation, put his hand on Pajarito s curly head 
 and smiled into the upturned face. Pajarito, 
 easily captivated by a show of friendliness, 
 slipped his hand into the Father s, and in this 
 way the three neared the chapel. 
 
 The buildings, comprising the chapel, the 
 cloisters of the priests, the store rooms, shops, 
 smithy, and major-domo s quarters, together 
 with the neophytes huts, formed a quadrangle. 
 These, adobe made, were white-washed and 
 roofed with tiles. The chapel and the priest s 
 quarters faced the wide expanse of blue sea. The 
 bells, three in number, as yet hung from a hori 
 zontal pole supported by two props. These were 
 a few feet from the improvised chapel that had 
 been erected for use until the permanent build 
 ing should be completed. The time was not far 
 distant when its dedication would take place,
 
 AT THE MISSION 33 
 
 when the older one, that snuggled close to the 
 other, would be torn down. 
 
 Padre Juposa parted with them at the chapel 
 entrance, leaving Don Jose and Pajarito to enter 
 alone. The two crossed themselves and knelt in 
 silent reverence. A holy calm was accentuated 
 by the odor of incense that permeated the dimly 
 lighted interior. At the altar stood the officiat 
 ing priest. The tall, white candles that burned 
 before the tabernacle and the Sacred Image illu 
 minated the holy man as if with heavenly light. 
 The air was cool and thick with a dampness ris 
 ing from the earthen floor. 
 
 Don Jose and Pajarito, with the priests and 
 the neophytes, knelt with bowed heads, until the 
 deep, sonorous voice of the priest began its chant 
 ing ; then like an echo voices of the choir took up 
 the antiphonal refrain. 
 
 After services Don Jose stood back waiting for 
 the others to pass out, then followed the strag 
 gling groups. At the monolith two Indian 
 women lingered; one was silent and resentful, 
 the other noisy and taunting. With smiling 
 malice the woman whispered sly insinuations. 
 Suddenly there was a flash of steel in the sun 
 light and the jeers ceased as the taunting woman 
 fell. 
 
 Instantly a crowd of excited neophytes and 
 priests circled about them. Beside her victim 
 stood the culprit, motionless, with downcast eyes, 
 the knife still clinched in her hand. From the 
 Mission building came two brown-cassocked
 
 34 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 priests. One was the Padre Juposa, the other 
 the Father President, who walked with a quiet 
 dignity to the throng which separated to admit 
 them as they neared the scene, then closed again 
 about them. 
 
 " Children ! " The President spoke command- 
 ingly, waving his hand over the heads of the 
 group. " Go to thy labors ! I will attend to 
 Marta and to her sin. Marta, come thou here. 
 Give a reason why thou hast sinned against God 
 and man? " 
 
 No answer. 
 
 " Speak, woman ! " 
 
 Again no response. Only the near pounding 
 of the ocean surf was heard. 
 
 The Padre President turned to a sturdy young 
 Indian at his side. 
 
 " Ponto ! If thou knowest aught of any cause 
 for this act, speak quickly ! " 
 
 The Indian hesitated. His shifting eyes rested 
 for a second on the woman with the knife. She, 
 stoical and silent, did not move even a muscle. 
 
 " Ann and Marta enemies, holy Padre." 
 
 " The Lord grant them mercy ! " 
 
 " Dead squaw taunt Marta about dead mother. 
 Ann she jealous of Marta, because Owyee, he like 
 Marta best. Marta no like kill, but Indian must 
 kill when say bad thing about dead." 
 
 The reverend father motioned him back. 
 
 " Ponto, carry the body to the patio ! " 
 
 " Marta, come ! " Turning to the Governor, 
 who had been a silent spectator, he said : " Senor
 
 AT THE MISSION 35 
 
 Governor, thou too wilt accompany Padre Juposa 
 and me to my study? " 
 
 The little group was soon gathered in the 
 large, bright room, bare, except for a table, a 
 few benches, a prie-dieu, and some holy pictures 
 and books. The Padre President s thin lips were 
 drawn together. He spoke in tense, sharp tones : 
 " The iniquity must cease ! This is not the first 
 time murder has been committed by our women. 
 Peace and holiness shall abound ! And, as serv 
 ants of God in this vineyard, we will labor until 
 this lust for bloodshed is crushed out. Our Lord 
 has said : I will walk contrary unto you also in 
 fury ; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times 
 for your sins. " 
 
 The gentle Padre Juposa was sorrowful. " It 
 is a pity ! Marta has been one of the most faith 
 ful and obedient of our women." 
 
 " True, Padre! However, an example must be 
 made. Marta s sin shall be atoned. Senor Gov 
 ernor, what hast thou to say? " 
 
 " It is an affair of the church," Don Jose spoke 
 in low, studied tones. " Not of the Presidio ! " 
 
 " Thou art ever just, senor, for as thou hast 
 said it is an affair of the church ! Let it remain 
 so, and as the Lord teacheth by precept may I, 
 his servant deal just judgment according to 
 my light. Marta ! Speak, woman, for thine own 
 salvation ! " 
 
 The Indian woman lifted her drooping eyelids, 
 and shrugging her shoulders muttered : " Ponto, 
 he say all. I can no more say ! "
 
 36 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " Dost thou not know, woman, that chastise 
 ment follows sin?" 
 
 No response. 
 
 " May the Lord have mercy on you a sinner. 
 Go ! and purge your soul in penance." Turning 
 to Padre Juposa, " Have the woman put in chains 
 until she becomes sensible of her sin ! " 
 
 Father Juposa looked at the woman, a deep 
 pity in the tender eyes. 
 
 " Marta, my child, come ! " For an instant she 
 lifted her lids and looked into the Padre s face, 
 then followed. The venerable, white-haired 
 priest, the woman and the Indian servant, Ponto, 
 left the room. 
 
 The Padre President and Don Jose had ap 
 parently forgotten the quiet child who stood by a 
 window peering into the patio. Pajarito had 
 been a silent though not a peaceful witness of 
 the sensational scene. His heart grieved with a 
 great sorrow for the unfortunate woman. From 
 the window he watched the two heavy balls 
 fastened to her ankles with chains and a lump 
 gathered in his throat. Turning with a shudder 
 from the window, he gripped Don Jose s hand 
 scarcely heeding the Padre s kind adios. On the 
 way homeward, Don Jose noticed the child s pre 
 occupation, and attempted to change his thought 
 by planning his future studies, but it was not 
 until they reached the patio, where Pajarito 
 found Juan lightly strumming his guitar, that 
 the oppressive gloom lifted.
 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 PAJARITA 
 
 THE next day Pajarito, with Juan at his heels, 
 climbed the sandy road to the Mission. The two 
 loitered on the way, for the day was young and 
 autumn had strewn her glowing treasures broad 
 cast. An ocean flung mist was lifting, leaving 
 behind clusters of glistening drops on foliage and 
 flowers. The birds called from oak to spruce 
 and responses came clearly from the low-lying 
 meadows. 
 
 Pajarito s short life had been an unusual one, 
 two-thirds of it having been spent on the sea and 
 the other part with grown people, chiefly indoors. 
 This day was such a one as he had often dreamed 
 of, when, with will free, skies blue, flowers bloom 
 ing, and the birds calling, he could roam the land 
 and revel in its beauty, unchecked by ship bound 
 ary or human will. After the lesson hours were 
 over the two children started over the hills. In 
 spite of the hour being that set for the midday 
 meal, and the protests of their empty stomachs, 
 the children answered the call of outdoor charm. 
 Their long jaunt took them through forest and 
 by blue sea and it was late in the afternoon when 
 they reentered the patio and threw themselves 
 beside the cool fountain. They were dusty, hun- 
 
 37
 
 38 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 gry, and tired, and their thoughts were chiefly 
 occupied with planning how food might be ob 
 tained perhaps without personal discovery. 
 
 Fate settled the question when an Indian maid 
 appeared and, hastily seizing Juan, jerked him 
 to his feet. She muttered something in their 
 own tongue and Juan s eyes bulged with terror. 
 He was made to strip to his waist. Then Pa 
 jarito understood that Juan, for some unaccount 
 able reason, was to be strapped. In a moment 
 Donna Sofia entered followed by an Indian with 
 a whip in his hand. Pajarito quivered with a 
 new sensation. An ungovernable rage swept 
 over him. The whip writhed upward through 
 the air swung by a practiced arm, and Pajarito, 
 with a scream of anguish, threw himself before 
 Juan s shrinking form. The blow fell across the 
 wihite boy s shoulders. 
 
 Donna Sofia s usually repressed expression 
 changed to astonishment. A sudden gleam 
 flashed in her eyes, then faded out. A groan 
 escaped Pajarito s whitened lips. His body 
 straightened defiantly as he stood before Sofia. 
 
 " How dare you ! You are cruel Donna 
 Sofia!" 
 
 The woman raised her arm to strike, but, be 
 fore it fell, Don Jose entered the patio and stood 
 beside them. 
 
 Donna Sofia s arm dropped to her side. She 
 turned to go with an indignant manner. 
 
 " Wait, Sofia ! " Don Jose looked about him. 
 " What is the occasion for this disturbance? "
 
 PAJARITA 39 
 
 Sofia stopped abruptly and gave her brother 
 an angry look. " Nothing more than the usual 
 trouble resulting from insubordination." 
 
 " On whose part? " He glanced quickly at the 
 scene before him. Juan, stripped of his blouse, 
 squatted at Pajarito s feet. Pajarito s eyes were 
 on the ground ; his face was drawn and colorless ; 
 his manner defiant. Don Jose turned again to 
 his sister awaiting her answer. 
 
 " On whose part is it usually? Has there been 
 either peace or order in this house since that for 
 eign boy entered it? " 
 
 A pained expression came into Don Jose s eyes. 
 Pajarito looked up quickly, startled and hurt, 
 then again his eyes turned to the ground. 
 
 Don Jose spoke low : " Sofia, that remark is 
 unworthy of you." 
 
 "Dios!" A flush spread over Sofia s angry, 
 clouded countenance. " When am I ever to cease 
 hearing your censure of my actions and com 
 ments? There was a time 
 
 " Sofia," he interrupted her, " you misunder 
 stand my motive " 
 
 " That I do not ! You are biased with pref 
 erence ! " She turned abruptly and entered the 
 house. 
 
 Don Jose waited a moment. The servants 
 stood about, not knowing just what was expected 
 of them. He ordered them to their tasks and 
 then turned to Pajarito, " Come to my study ! " 
 
 Juan had gone but a few paces from Pajarito 
 when Don Jose disappeared into the casa. He
 
 40 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 ran back and fell on his knees before the pale boy. 
 
 " Don Pajarito, why why take thrash for 
 Juan he sorry, mucha sorry." 
 
 Tears fell from the dark cheeks- and moistened 
 the white lad s hands which the Indian fondled. 
 Pajarito s expression softened. 
 
 " Do not trouble yourself, Juan. I am glad 
 that you didn t get the lash, because it was not 
 your fault. You must -forget it." 
 
 " Juan no glad no forget." 
 
 Pajarito put his hand over the Indian s thick, 
 straight hair, " Of course you will, Juan. Go 
 now quickly ! " 
 
 Pajarito started toward the house then 
 stopped. For the first time in his life he felt a 
 great fear overcome him. A feeling, heretofore, 
 unexperienced. A presentiment of impending 
 trouble made him chilly, and for the moment he 
 forgot the smarting wound that lay across his 
 shoulders. A wild impulse came to run away. 
 He glanced quickly here and there, then a hope 
 lessness overcame it and he sank to the ground. 
 A tight feeling bound his heart and something 
 hurt his throat. Again and again Sofia s angry 
 words returned to the boy; these hurt him in a 
 strange, new way. 
 
 Pajarito was small quite small for his age, 
 for he was sixteen. But his mind was keen and 
 his intuition was far in advance of his years. 
 Until this moment, he had never troubled him 
 self with misgivings. He had followed his own 
 impulses, had been careless of consequences and
 
 PAJARITA 41 
 
 thought only of himself. Now new sensations 
 rushed through him. He knew he should go di 
 rectly to Don Jose s study, but something within 
 him gave him a feeling of such dread that he felt 
 he could not move. He wondered what he should 
 do. After several moments he rose and swinging 
 his lithe, little frame with determination entered 
 the casa. Before the lad had quite reached the 
 study door he lost his air of courage and again 
 he hesitated. In another moment he squared his 
 shoulders and opened the door. 
 
 Don Jose was seated at his writing table. He 
 looked across at the boy who entered the room, 
 leaving the door ajar behind him. 
 
 " Pajarito, I have been thinking over what hap 
 pened in the patio, and I have come to the con 
 clusion that you are old enough to understand 
 and reason out many things. I have much 
 against Donna Sofia s will given you a home 
 with us. That alone should impel you to sub 
 mission. However, if your own sense of obliga 
 tion does not prompt you, I must in all justice 
 to her insist on your obedience." 
 
 Don Jose s tone, his attitude and the signifi 
 cance of what he said cruelly awakened Pajarito. 
 His pride and self-will rose in rebellion, but he 
 swallowed the angry retort that rose to respond, 
 and bit his lips in silence. Don Jose continued : 
 " I cannot and will not have Donna Sofia trou 
 bled and distempered continually over trifles 
 that you should prevent occurring. You should 
 study to please and serve her. There are, as you
 
 42 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 know, established rules in the casa of which she 
 is justly proud; you must observe these. One 
 of the most vital to her is the meal hour." 
 
 The child remained silent. He stood with 
 back against the casing of the door, his eyes 
 downcast. Don looked at the sullen child and 
 his temper grew. 
 
 " To-day you did not return immediately from 
 the Mission after your lessons were over. Why 
 was that?" 
 
 " I " Pajarito struggled with himself. " I 
 did not wish to." 
 
 " Caramba! And do you not understand that 
 there are others who may have wishes? " 
 
 No answer. 
 
 " If you cannot be considerate of us, how do 
 you expect us to be considerate to you? " 
 
 A sudden wail burst from the child. "I I 
 - do not care whether you are or not I 
 I do not want to be here I want to go 
 away." 
 
 Don Jose scrutinized the child thoughtfully. 
 "Where to, Pajarito?" 
 
 "I I do not know." Mournfully. 
 
 " You would rather go away than be obedient 
 to those who have befriended you? " 
 
 " Yes, I would ! Nobody wants me ! " 
 
 " Are you doing the things that will make us 
 want you?" 
 
 No answer for several moments. 
 
 " Answer me, Pajarito." 
 
 " I do not know."
 
 PAJARITA 43 
 
 " Yes, you do ! You remember that day so long 
 ago on the beach you told me you were brave. 
 Are you when you shirk your duty? You also 
 said that you would fight to be my boy. Are you 
 making a good fight when you are cowardly about 
 gratitude and honor? " 
 
 The boy s eyes opened wide with astonishment. 
 He looked straight into Don Jose s face. His 
 lips began to tremble. 
 
 " Will you answer me truthfully, Pajarito? " 
 
 " Oh I " 
 
 " Come here, my boy." Pajarito went and 
 stood by the table. " Now, we shall have a clear 
 understanding. You are, first, going to be quite 
 honest, then " 
 
 "I I cannot!" 
 
 The room seemed to whirl about to the boy. A 
 dread the same he had experienced in the patio 
 came over him. All at once the realization 
 came that he had not been honest and that now 
 he could not be. A fear gripped his heart. If 
 Don Jose should learn the truth what then? 
 The questions which Don Jose urged him to an 
 swer honestly, were nothing in comparison to the 
 great questioning secret in his heart that until 
 to-day had not been of a moment s consideration. 
 What should he do what? " 
 
 The appealing anguish in the boy s eyes trou 
 bled Don Jose. 
 
 " You say, boy, that you cannot be honest with 
 me? " Don Jos6 looked puzzled. 
 
 " I want to be, but "
 
 44 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " Go on, boy, speak fearlessly." Don Jose 
 looked at the lad with new interest. 
 
 " But, if I be honest in all things I might 
 lose everything." 
 
 " You are brave, Pajarito? " 
 
 The lad dropped on his knees and put his face 
 in his hands. 
 
 " No, no ! I am not brave nor honest. I never 
 until now dreamed that I was false." 
 
 Don Jose placed his hand on the boy s head and 
 gently stroked the shining hair. " If, Pajarito, 
 you have innocently held back a secret that I or 
 others should know, then, it was not falseness on 
 your part, but ignorance. Tell me all now and 
 have done with it." 
 
 " Oh, daddy, daddy-don, I am afraid." 
 
 The man thought deeply. He was greatly per 
 turbed. As Governor of the Californias he had 
 had many trying problems, but none that baffled 
 him more than this. He could not understand 
 Pajarito s wavering, undecided state of mind, 
 though, he did understand through the child s 
 anguish that his secret was more than a trifling 
 matter. 
 
 " What secret could you hold, my boy, that 
 you would fear to tell me? Can you not trust 
 one who has tried to befriend you in all ways? " 
 
 For a moment Pajarito looked into Don Jose s 
 eyes. Something he saw there encouraged him. 
 He spoke quickly. 
 
 " That day on the beach when you found me, 
 I wore an old suit a boy s suit. You called
 
 PAJARITA 45 
 
 me boy so I I let it seem so. I thought 
 it no harm. When you asked my name I gave 
 you the pet one my father used on the boat. It 
 all went on so easily. You seemed willing to 
 take me as I was. I feared if you knew the truth 
 it might be different." 
 
 Don Jose s eyes did not leave the child s face. 
 He listened with incredulity, then a stupefaction 
 settled over him for a moment. Slowly, almost 
 absently he wiped away the beads of perspira 
 tion that stood on his forehead. The full sense 
 of the child s avowal came to him in a great 
 shock. He pushed the child from his knees, 
 started to his feet and paced the floor without a 
 word. The child, no longer Pajarito, but Pa- 
 jarita, still on the floor, waited, fearing the 
 worst. 
 
 " Pajarita," Don Jose turned abruptly in his 
 pacing, " why did you deceive me? " 
 
 " You accepted me for what I appeared with 
 out question. It all seemed so easy that way, 
 and I feared you would not have me had you 
 known the truth." 
 
 " Did the sailors know of this when you were 
 on board your father s frigate? " 
 
 " No, no ! No one knew but father." 
 
 " Why did he allow this disguise? " 
 
 " All were dead at home ; he wished me to ac 
 company him on his voyage. It seemed the best 
 way." 
 
 Don Jose frowned. " Pajarita," sternly, " you 
 should not have permitted a moment s deception.
 
 46 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 I am grieved angry there will be annoy 
 ances trouble " 
 
 " Daddy daddy-don please " 
 
 He did not heed the cry but paced the floor. 
 As he made an abrupt turn in the direction of the 
 half-opened door leading into the waiting-room 
 of the casa, he stepped back amazed. 
 
 " Caramba! " he muttered between his teeth. 
 Going to the door he threw it wide open. Stand 
 ing back a step from the doorway was Don Luis 
 Fages. He had been there some time listening 
 to the voices in the study. He had barely time 
 to spring backward before Don Jose was before 
 him. 
 
 " You vile eavesdropper ! " Don Jose gasped ; 
 "you walk into my home and wait at an open 
 door to listen ! " 
 
 Don Luis struggled to explain that he had 
 entered to ask for books for Senorita Marie. 
 " The door was ajar, sefior, I hesitated to dis 
 turb you, thinking you would cease so that I - 
 His face showed the guilt he could have concealed 
 had Don Jose not taken him unaware. Don Jose 
 sprang at him in fury. He shook him ; slapped 
 his face between angry exclamations and then 
 threw him from the room. When Don Jose re 
 turned to his study Pajarita had gone. Seating 
 himself at his table and resting his head in his 
 hands he tried to think out the baffling problem 
 that had suddenly fallen upon his quiet house 
 hold as a very thunderbolt from the skies. Some
 
 PAJARITA 47 
 
 time later he ordered his horse and without a 
 word to the household he rode far over the moun 
 tain trail that wound its way about the foot of 
 Mount Lobos.
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 THE RUNAWAYS 
 
 A CALM evening settled over the Presidio. 
 Twilight hung gray and cool over the homes of 
 the few Calif ornians aliens from home lands 
 to whom its peace was dear. In the casa of 
 the Governor all was quiet, if not peaceful. 
 Donna Sofia in her own room knelt before the 
 statue of the Blessed Virgin chanting her 
 prayers. The rosary gleamed under the candle 
 flame. As she came to the beads devoted to the 
 " Mysteries of the Sorrowful," she lingered, re 
 peating the words again and again. 
 
 Don Jose in his study sat laboring over re 
 ports that would go to Mexico, apparently ab 
 sorbed in his task. The Indian servants had left 
 the casa for their huts at the rear of the Presidio. 
 Alone in the room next to Donna Sofia s was Pa- 
 jarita. She had climbed to the wide sill of the 
 grating and with her head resting on her hand, 
 sat thinking over what had happened in the 
 study that afternoon. She had run from Don 
 Jose s study while he was punishing Don Luis 
 Fages, and going to a far corner in the patio, 
 where she could conceal herself behind the dense 
 growth of ferns and shrubs, had thrown herself 
 
 on the earth and buried her face in her hands. 
 
 48
 
 THE RUNAWAYS 49 
 
 Anger, mortification, resentment and self-pity 
 had all mingled within her in a stubborn conflict. 
 She had but one desire and that burned through 
 her mind like a hot needle. Juan had found her 
 there; he squatted close beside her without a 
 word. His presence and silence were at the time 
 comforting. They stood for sympathy and 
 brought a change of thought. Like an inspira 
 tion came the way to escape. Many times Juan 
 had told her about the Indian tribe that was sta 
 tioned on the mountain side away from the Pre 
 sidio. He had told her glowing stories of their 
 bravery and hospitality in his simple, abrupt 
 manner. She had him relate it all over again. 
 The thought came then, if Juan would take her 
 to the band, they might help her escape from the 
 Californias. 
 
 As she sat now on the sill of the grating, she 
 went over all these things. A rapping at the 
 window aroused her from her reverie. She rose 
 to her knees and called out anxiously. 
 
 " Juan, Juan ! " she called in a low voice. 
 
 " Si, seuor." 
 
 " Climb up, Juan, and help pull open the grat 
 ing ! " The boy obeyed. 
 
 Pajarita cast through the opening a small bun 
 dle, then jumped from the sill to the green sod 
 beneath. Creeping to the rear buildings to 
 gether they scoured the kitchen for food, walking 
 on tiptoe and whispering, fearful of making the 
 slightest noise. They were well on their way be 
 fore they began talking over their plans. With
 
 50 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 nothing to disturb them and no sound near ex 
 cept the swish of the restless waves, Pajarita en 
 deavored to make clear her plans to the stolid 
 Indian. 
 
 " Juan, you will take me to your people? " 
 
 " Si, senor." 
 
 " Do you think they will have me, Juan? " 
 
 " Si, senor." 
 
 " Cielo! All you say is f Si, seuor. Do you 
 understand me? " 
 
 " Si, senor." 
 
 " Juan, I forbid you to say that again ! " 
 
 " Si, senor." 
 
 She flew at the boy, " You ," then laughed 
 gleefully. " Stupid ! " she exclaimed. " You 
 know the way to the Indians, and they will not 
 not harm me? No, no! do not answer, only 
 shake your head. Oh! Juan, aren t the waves 
 noisy to-night, they seem to be scolding us. 
 Come! We must hurry. It is terribly dark, 
 Juan, can you find the way? " 
 
 He assured her, and they began their long 
 tramp. Juan carried the bundles. He seemed to 
 understand the responsibility thrust upon him. 
 This was a great moment in his life! With his 
 idol beside him he could conquer the world. 
 Pajarita had dared to stand between him and the 
 whip and Juan s admiration had sprung into 
 worship. Gladly would he suffer death for the 
 white boy. As they trudged along, neither 
 aware of what lay before them, or of the conse 
 quences of their wilfulness, Juan answered Paja-
 
 THE RUNAWAYS 51 
 
 rita s broken words as best he could. She talked 
 to keep her courage up and to justify her actions. 
 Juan answered simply to please. When the 
 moon rose in full radiance and their eyes grew 
 accustomed to nocturnal shadows and sounds, 
 Pajarita was less fearful, but she shivered 
 with cold. At last unable to go farther she 
 stood still, her teeth chattering : " Juan, I am 
 cold." 
 
 Unwfapping an Indian blanket from about his 
 shoulders, he twined it about Pajarita. 
 
 " That is better, Juan, but let us run." 
 
 Hand in hand they started. They were both 
 burdened so that running was difficult and the 
 effort sent the blood beating through their veins 
 and brought gasping breaths. 
 
 " St-o-p ! " Pajarita presently sank breathless 
 to the ground and for some time could not go on 
 again. Then, openly bold, but with inward quak 
 ing, she rose and went on. 
 
 They traveled from the beach to the hills over 
 and through thick chaparral, resting on fallen 
 trees or low stumps. When night was almost 
 spent Juan made a bed for her under a low bush, 
 and she went to sleep. When she awoke he had 
 a fire burning, and together they ate. The day 
 gave her better courage, brighter spirits, and 
 resolutely she cast aside regretful thoughts. 
 She justified herself in the belief that Don Jose 
 did not want her a girl under his roof, espe 
 cially after her deceit. She would not allow her 
 self to regret or dwell on the affection she had
 
 52 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 for him nor on the great kindness he had shown 
 her. She was going away and that was the end 
 of it. 
 
 They reached their destination next day just 
 as the twilight fell on the Indian camp. Juan 
 knew the tribe and ran before to explain their 
 presence. Quickly the Indians brought forth 
 food and offered them a place by the glowing 
 fire. 
 
 Comparatively, it was but a few years before 
 this time that the band of weary, ailing, hungry 
 men had landed on the beach of Monterey and 
 claimed it in the name of the King of Spain. 
 Under the great oak whose branches spread wide 
 over the water s edge and were bathed when the 
 waves rolled high, Father Serra held mass, nam 
 ing the cove Monterey or King of the Moun 
 tains. The Indians had up to this time held 
 possession. Through the year that followed the 
 sole aim of the increasing band of priests was to 
 convert these heathens to the Catholic faith. 
 Many were brought to the fold through mesmeric 
 influence, some through fear or superstition, but 
 none through faith or understanding, for the 
 California Indian totally lacked mental or spir 
 itual insight or intuition. The tribe on the hill 
 side that Pajarita and Juan had joined had kept 
 aloof from the church whose bondage they feared, 
 though keeping in close communication with the 
 movements of the Mission and Presidio Indians. 
 It was not long, therefore, after the Father-Presi 
 dent s verdict in the case of Marta that it reached
 
 THE RUNAWAYS 53 
 
 Owyee, Chief of her tribe. Enraged at what they 
 considered injustice to one of their race they 
 swore vengeance and were preparing to march to 
 the Mission at the earliest possible time. 
 
 Their plans were to conceal themselves a short 
 distance from the buildings and, as the neophytes 
 were leaving the chapel after vespers, spy out 
 Marta, get possession of her and then get away 
 as quickly as possible. Owyee gave orders that 
 only if the Mission people offered resistance were 
 the Indians to attack. 
 
 Pajarita, absorbed in the mysteries of an In 
 dian camp, watched their movements with inter 
 est. While the squaws prepared the meal and 
 kept the huge fire blazing with great logs the 
 men whittled arrows, deftly fastened on the slate 
 heads and fitted them to their bows. When they 
 had finished a great number they got to their 
 feet and formed a circle about the fire. The half- 
 naked forms dancing, chanting and writhing in 
 unholy shapes terrorized the girl, for the whole 
 took on a sinister significance. Drawing Juan 
 back into the shadows she tried to question him 
 as to their motive. With the aid of gesticula 
 tions, the use of the name Marta and the arrows, 
 he made her comprehend. When convinced of 
 the object of the war-like preparation a great 
 fear surged in the girl s heart. What if death 
 should threaten Don Jose and those others 
 who had given her shelter! 
 
 At any cost she must warn them ! Whisper 
 ing, she made Juan understand that they must
 
 54 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 retrace their steps; and after the Indian boy 
 had managed to get food into a little bag for 
 their journey, the two slipped away stealthily 
 into the night.
 
 THE RETURN OF PAJARITA 
 
 ON the morning after the children s escape 
 Don Jose rose early and, not finding Pajarita 
 awaiting to accompany him, left for the Mission 
 without her. He missed the cheery companion 
 ship and decided not to take the long jaunt that, 
 heretofore, had always acted as a tonic for the 
 day. He was surprised not to find Pajarita 
 awaiting his return to the casa, and at breakfast 
 he could no longer control his impatience. 
 
 "Donna Sofia!" He spoke abruptly, "You 
 have in the past been methodical; why do you 
 now shirk? " 
 
 " The Saints in heaven ! Brother mio, it is 
 you that have changed your habits ; mine are the 
 same." 
 
 " Has it not been a rule w r ith you to have all 
 at table on time where is Pajarito, and why 
 did you not see that the child was ready for 
 mass?" 
 
 Donna Sofia shrugged her shoulders. " It has 
 always been a rule with me to have all at table 
 on time, when that rule has not been interfered 
 with, but you, brother, have sanctioned disobedi 
 ence in one that has no right to membership in 
 this family." 
 
 55
 
 56 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " Qui! You say no right? Does not my ap 
 proval imply right? " 
 
 " Si, when you use good judgment." 
 
 ff Caraml>a, woman ! What mean you? " 
 
 " This, brother. You bring a waif into our 
 well-organized home, which you permit him al 
 most to govern; and you ask why am I not me 
 thodical ! It is not Donna Sofia who now rules 
 this house. Yesterday Pajarito interfered with 
 Juan s punishment and you shielded Pajarito. 
 Think you it is right? No! You ask why Pa 
 jarito is not at breakfast on time! He left the 
 casa last night after having robbed the kitchen ! " 
 
 Don Jose jumped to his feet. " You say the 
 child left last night! Where did Pajarito go, 
 Sofia? " 
 
 " That I do not know ! He took Juan with 
 him and this I say, when they return this time 
 Pajarito will not interfere with Juan s punish 
 ment. I have forbidden the " 
 
 " Silence ! You are quite sure Pajarito has 
 gone? " 
 
 " Quite sure! " 
 
 " Dios! " The man looked troubled, he paced 
 the floor several times then stopped before his 
 sister. " Sofia, I am grieved ! It was my wish 
 that Pajarito make this his home, but you have 
 driven the child away." 
 
 " That I have not done ! But if of his own will 
 he has gone " She threw out her hands as she 
 shrugged her shoulders, " There will be less trou 
 ble for us."
 
 THE RETURN OF PAJARITA 57 
 
 Don Jose s eyes widened with wonder. " Can 
 you, my sister, show such indifference such in- 
 hospitality? It is beneath you, Sofia!" With 
 out another word he swung from the room. In 
 the patio he called for the major-domo. The man 
 came quickly, but not quick enough to avoid the 
 sharp reprimand : " Pedro ! why are you not at 
 hand when I need you? Order the mare saddled 
 immediately ! No talk, go ! " 
 
 All that day Don Jose and his criado rode. 
 Don Jose s temper grew as the day declined and 
 the fog descended. When night fell, he sharply 
 declared that they would return to the Presidio. 
 He was moody and taciturn at the evening meal 
 and with Donna Sofia manifesting a disconcert 
 ing silence the repast was a gloomy affair. The 
 heavy fog made further traveling impossible that 
 night, but at dawn Don Jose and his criado cov 
 ered the ground about the Presidio and for some 
 distance around the Mission without meeting any 
 one who had seen or heard of the two children. 
 
 After mass Don Jose consulted with the Coin- 
 andante. The Comandante listened attentively, 
 then expressed the opinion that the children 
 might have been harmed by the wild animals 
 that prowled about at night. 
 
 Senorita Marie overheard the remark and an 
 swered her father s disheartening statement 
 rather impatiently. 
 
 " No, no ! Senor Governor, not that, let us 
 believe that they are but lost, and you will find 
 them."
 
 58 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 A grateful light came into Don Jose s eyes. 
 He stooped and kissed her hand. " Senorita 
 Marie is very kind." She smiled charmingly. 
 His face lost the worried expression for a mo 
 ment under the influence of her sympathy and 
 loveliness. " I will ride toward the north this 
 day," he continued, " and if I fail to find them, 
 I shall go to the Indian camps." 
 
 " Very good ! " The Comandante was alert, 
 " And the troops will go with you if you wish. 
 It is a chance I have longed for to pepper 
 their red hides." 
 
 " Seuor, I am grateful. I will go now, the 
 time flies. Adios, good friends." 
 
 " Senor Governor," Marie spoke softly, " we 
 are ever at your service with great joy. Si, 
 father mio? " 
 
 " Caramba, yes ! " The Comandante answered 
 earnestly. " Because of the great love we bear 
 you, dear friend, we would sacrifice much to 
 aid you. Our household is at your service, Don 
 Jose, and we mourn until your peace of mind is 
 restored." 
 
 " Good friends, my heart lies at your feet ! 
 Pray that we may find the little Pajarito un 
 harmed. Adios" 
 
 Senorita Marie took his hand. " The saints 
 guide you and the holy Virgin fill your heart 
 with peace. Adios." 
 
 A new loveliness shone in Marie s face. It 
 touched Don Jose s heart and made it beat oddly. 
 Quickly he bowed himself out of the doorway.
 
 THE RETURN OF PAJARITA 59 
 
 At the entrance the criado waited beside the two 
 horses. Mounting they rode swiftly away. 
 
 Dusk was crowding close on the heels of de 
 parting day when Don Jose reined in his steam 
 ing horse and peered anxiously into the shadows 
 made by the heavy growth of trees and shrub 
 bery. The nervous horses pricked their ears and 
 snorted. Thoughtfully Don Jose noted their in 
 stinctive alertness and obeying the hint turned 
 his horse from the trail, bidding his criado to do 
 likewise. A scarcely audible sound reached 
 them a sound that might have been the sigh 
 ing of the pines, or the gentle breathing of Na 
 ture slowly sinking to slumber. The sound 
 gradually became a distinct rustling as of foot 
 steps treading on leaves and boughs. Then ap 
 peared two shadowy forms. 
 
 " Pajarita ! " Don Jose spoke doubtfully, not 
 
 sure as yet if the objects were beasts or humans 
 
 - so indistinct were they in the deep gloom. It 
 
 was a half-smothered call, but vibrant with hope. 
 
 "Oh, Dios! Daddy daddy-don! How did 
 you know? " 
 
 In an instant the man was on the ground be 
 side the trembling girl. He gathered her in his 
 arms. " I did not know, Pajarita, little daugh 
 ter. I have been looking for you for two days. 
 Why did you go, Pajarita? Did you not know 
 that I should be anxious?" 
 
 " I am very, very sorry, if you worried. I 
 went because because I believed you would not 
 care for for me now."
 
 60 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " Pajarita, I want you very much. Will you 
 come now and stay with me? " 
 
 She laughed half hysterically. " I am so glad. 
 Yes, yes ! I will with joy. Oh, daddy-don, I am 
 glad you came. I tried not to be fearful, but 
 everything was so creepy and it was so dark, 
 and and Oh I had almost forgotten the 
 Indians they are going to the Mission to kill 
 the Padres. That is why I returned so that 
 I could tell you ! " 
 
 Ignoring her excitement Don Jose stroked her 
 curls, " I thought, perhaps you had returned be 
 cause you regretted leaving me, Pajarita." 
 
 " No ! I did not return for that ; but, I did re 
 gret leaving you, daddy-don." 
 
 " Good ! I am pleased to hear you say that ; 
 now we must hurry home." He was about to 
 help her to mount, but she hesitated. 
 
 " Wait, wait ! You must let me tell you about 
 the Indians. They are going to the Mission to 
 get Marta, and they are making arrows. They 
 will kill the Padres, if necessary, to get Marta." 
 
 "No, no! Pajarita mia, they will not harm 
 the Padres. You are overwrought, and tired. 
 Come ! We will travel swiftly to the Presidio." 
 
 " You are stupid, daddy-don ! What I tell you 
 is true. We just left the Indian camp, where 
 Juan and I were going to live, but the Indians 
 were so wild. They jumped about a great fire 
 and looked so fierce they frightened me. Juan 
 told me they were going to the Mission for Marta, 
 Ask him, daddy-don."
 
 THE RETURN OF PAJARITA 61 
 
 Don Jose took Juan by the shoulders and 
 shook him : " Tell the truth, you red-skinned 
 imp ! " 
 
 His imperiousness defeated its own end. The 
 terrified boy could only gasp, " Si, seiior." 
 
 " Very well ! " Don Jose turned to lift Pa- 
 jarita. " We will hurry to the Presidio, and on 
 our way back you can tell me about it, Pa 
 jarita." 
 
 " One thing will you promise, daddy-don? " 
 
 " Si, I am quite sure to promise you anything 
 just now, Pajarita, daughter mia, what? " 
 
 " Valedor bueno, do not allow Juan to be pun 
 ished. It was I who took him away, and, daddy- 
 don, I am grieved to have caused you trouble." 
 
 He drew her to him, " Juan will not be pun 
 ished. Now, Pajarita, will you promise me 
 something? " 
 
 The girl laughed happily, " Si, si a thou 
 sand times I will ! " 
 
 " Swear that you will never again run away 
 from me." 
 
 " By the love I bear our holy Virgin, I swear." 
 
 " That is well. I shall trust you, Pajarita." 
 
 Swiftly and in silence they rode toward the 
 Presidio. 
 
 Don Jose decided while riding to the Presidio 
 with his charge to leave Pajarita at the Com- 
 andante s casa for the night, in case the house 
 hold had not retired. Don Jose wished to have 
 a serious conversation with his sister before tak 
 ing Pajarita again to his own home. First of
 
 62 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 all, she must be made aware of Pajarita s 
 and next, she must understand Pajarita s exact 
 place in the home. 
 
 Lights were shining in some few dwellings 
 when the group on horseback entered the en 
 closure. One bright gleam came from the Com- 
 andante s casa, and with relief, Don Jose drew 
 rein before the veranda. After the domo had 
 taken charge of the horse Don Jose with Pajarita 
 entered the salla where they found the Comand- 
 ante and Captain Sol seated, smoking and talk 
 ing over military matters. At sight of Don 
 Jose and his companion the Comandante s face 
 beamed with welcome. Quickly he got to his feet 
 and ordered refreshments. 
 
 " Caramba! My heart is cheered. Where did 
 you find the wanderer, friend Don Jose? " 
 
 Don Jose told him in a few words. The Com- 
 andante then turned to the girl : " You young imp 
 of Satan! Do you know you have caused our 
 worthy Governor endless trouble? Why did you 
 run away? " 
 
 Pajarita was in no mood to receive the repri 
 mand or to satisfy his curiosity. She did not 
 like the idea of staying all night with this fam 
 ily, but, because Don Jose had thought it best 
 not to disturb Donna Sofia at so late an hour, 
 she consented to do as he wished. She was ut 
 terly weary and very hungry, but she wished for 
 nothing so much as to sleep. Too drowsy to 
 converse, she let her protector explain to the two 
 dons where she had been and why she had re-
 
 THE RETURN OF PAJARITA 63 
 
 turned. While they sipped the wine, Pajarita, 
 finding a soft rug on the floor, slipped to it 
 quietly and was soon fast asleep. The fatherly 
 host noticed the child and rang for a servant. 
 The major-domo came, the other servants having 
 gone to their own huts for the night. 
 
 " Lift the boy so as not to awaken him," the 
 Comandante ordered, " and be sure you cover 
 him with a heavy banket, for the night will bring 
 coldness. No, no ! " he added to the Indian s 
 question. " Do not disturb the women, just put 
 him on a bed as he is and cover him well." 
 
 The three dons continued their conversation 
 when the door closed behind the domo with the 
 sleeping child. Don Jose related the story Pa 
 jarita had told him. 
 
 " As I told you some time since, I feared trou 
 ble would come of Marta s bondage. The pre 
 monition was not an idle one. The heathens 
 have determined to free Marta at any cost and 
 are ready to strike." 
 
 " Dios, the red devils ! " The Comandante was 
 roiled, " But think you it be but a child s prattle 
 this story? " 
 
 "No, Seuor Comandante, I do not! Pajarito 
 is not one to talk idly. The troops must be in 
 readiness to leave the Presidio at a moment s 
 notice." 
 
 The Comandante glanced at Don Jos6 curi 
 ously : " You have much confidence in this stray 
 waif." 
 
 A sudden sharp glance through narrowed lids
 
 64 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 was the only change in the Governor s expres 
 sion. His tones, however, were tense when he 
 answered, " I am not given to acting upon chil 
 dren s tales without firm conviction." 
 
 " A thousand pardons, Senor Governor, if I 
 have blundered. I am at your service when you 
 wish." 
 
 " Bueno. A very good night to you both." 
 Bowing himself from the room he collided with 
 Senorita Marie who was just then entering the 
 doorway. " Senorita Marie, I beg of you a par 
 don for my clumsiness." 
 
 " Clumsiness in a woman betokens careless 
 ness, but in a man " she smiled archly, " it is 
 but the sign of deep concentration. By your ab 
 sorption, senor, I learn there is much on your 
 mind? " 
 
 " You speak the truth, senorita. Yet when 
 I behold you, all else goes from -my thought." 
 
 A flush spread over her face. " Don Jose im 
 plies that I rob him of his better wit. Truly it is 
 a poor service I render him." 
 
 "Ah, senorita, has not proud beauty ever 
 chased away man s reason? " 
 
 "Some have little to lose, senor but with 
 you tis a compliment, I vow." 
 
 " I have still greater praise for you." 
 
 " How so, senor? " 
 
 " Great beauty is a wonderful gift, but, seno 
 rita, a generous heart is a greater possession, and 
 you " 
 
 " Ah, it is then a favor you would seek? "
 
 THE RETURN OF PAJARITA 65 
 
 " By the Saints you possess wisdom with all 
 the other charms. It emboldens me, indeed, to 
 ask a favor : Will you be kind to my little Paja- 
 rito until I return to-morrow? I wish to leave 
 the child with you for the night? " 
 
 Surprised annoyance appeared for an instant 
 on her face. 
 
 " Is the request beyond the granting, seno- 
 rita? " he asked. 
 
 A delightful smile replaced the instant shadow. 
 " No, no ! senor. I am ever at your service." 
 Unfastening a rose from her waist, she tossed it 
 lightly to the don who caught and raised it to 
 his lips. 
 
 Smiling, she hastily left the room.
 
 CHAPTEE VIII 
 
 DON LUIS PAYS A CALL 
 
 PAJARITA was awakened by a near chorus of 
 thrills. Her grating opened into Marie s patio 
 where many birds imported from Spain graced 
 the aviary. These little songsters filled the cool 
 morning air with their untaught melodies. Pa- 
 jarita s weariness had gone with the night. It 
 was now high noon and she was wholly refreshed 
 from the exciting events of the past two days by 
 her long sleep. Tossing back her tangled curls, 
 and straightening her wrinkled blouse, as best 
 she could, she left the room. Outside her door 
 she met an Indian maid who escorted her to the 
 running fountain. Pajarita leaned over the rim 
 of the great basin and looked at her own reflec 
 tion, seeing a tangled mass of curls and a grimy 
 face. She laughed outright, then dipped her 
 head into the clear water. Again and again she 
 repeated this action, each time withdrawing her 
 dripping locks with breathless glee. 
 
 The first intimation to Pajarita that Marie was 
 near was her imperious command to the maid to 
 bring towels. Not a change of expression came 
 over Marie s haughty face as she watched the 
 Indian maid dry Pajarita s hair in the sun ; yet, 
 as the beams glinted among the short, bobbing 
 
 66
 
 DON LUIS PAYS A CALL 67 
 
 locks, she could think of nothing but spun gold. 
 After the completion of Pajarita s toilet, Marie 
 took her to the kitchen where an Indian woman 
 gave her a delicious cup of chocolate, with tortil 
 las and dulces. While Pajarita ate Marie left 
 her and went again to the patio. She had not 
 felt at ease since last night, when Don Jose had 
 asked her special favor for Pajarita. 
 
 The sun filled the patio with a warm, golden 
 light and the air was laden with the scent of 
 many flowers. Marie went to the fountain and 
 seated herself on the rim of the basin. The 
 spray falling in- glistening drops wafted a de 
 lightful coolness, but she heeded neither the 
 scent of flowers, the rainbow hues in the drip 
 ping sprays, nor the floating dampness. She 
 was involved in a labyrinth of perplexities. She 
 dipped her slender hand into the water, trailing 
 it in circles as though to untangle her mental 
 problem by simple motion. 
 
 Marie in her troubled mood was annoyed that 
 Don Jose had asked her favor with such evident 
 earnestness. The sight of the rumpled, gleeful 
 boy only caused her a puzzled impatience. She 
 could not understand why the Governor was so 
 interested in this foreign waif nor why Don Jose 
 should impose the boy upon her special attention. 
 Marie, however, did not realize that it was an 
 unsatisfied yearning in her own heart that trou 
 bled her most, and that the boy was simply a 
 thorn to remind her that Don Jose had other 
 interests aside from her.
 
 68 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 Senorita Marie was a Spaniard with the tur 
 bulent emotions of her race seething in her blood. 
 To these emotions was coupled a reserve born 
 of great pride. Rather would she die than re 
 veal to any one her susceptibility to sentiment. 
 She had consented to Don Jose s wish simply to 
 please him and the realization of the truth pro 
 voked in her a certain disgust with herself. The 
 Governor s interest in Pajarita had from the first 
 irritated her. Perhaps it was because, to her 
 knowledge, the Governor had never before been 
 attracted to any other child than herself. She 
 could never remember a time when Don Jose" had 
 not singled her out from the young folk at the 
 Presidio. This had delightfully strengthened in 
 her the feeling of her own superiority. A surg 
 ing wave of jealousy swept over her now as she 
 thought of the tousled boy. A faint, scarcely 
 sensed suspicion of something she could not 
 fathom awoke within her. Her own impression 
 of the boy had been vague due possibly to her 
 indifference. But even her own father, usually 
 reserved and even intolerant, seemed to favor Pa 
 jarita. 
 
 Carefully and thoughtfully Marie lingered 
 over these vexatious problems. Thoughtful by 
 nature, both imperious and coquettish by inevit 
 able right of beauty and vivacious personality, 
 she was ever self-contradictory through a genuine 
 distaste for the shallow, and a feminine love for 
 conquest. She must be " La Favoritte," any
 
 DON 1 LUIS PAYS A CALL 69 
 
 other inference meant a distinct personal humili 
 ation. 
 
 So deeply lost was she in this introspec 
 tion that she failed to hear footsteps until Don 
 Luis Fages stood before her. A heavy scowl 
 shadowed his countenance and there was an ar 
 rogance of bearing about him that just now made 
 his presence unbearable. He drew nearer and 
 with his sombrero made her a sweeping bow. 
 She could not control her dislike for him longer : 
 " Don Luis, why are you here without my con 
 sent? " 
 
 " Because, senorita, I wished to see you." 
 
 " Ah ! The major-domo was not there to 
 announce you? He no doubt is taking an early 
 siesta to-day? " 
 
 Her cool sarcasm froze the man. " I did not 
 look for the domo, senorita. I knew the way and 
 did not wish to trouble him." 
 
 The ugly frown deepened. 
 
 "Si, senor, you know the way to my pres 
 ence but does that bring you near enough to 
 me to warrant intrusion? " 
 
 " Senorita ! I came here to disclose to you a 
 delightful secret and, if you are true to the 
 traditional instincts of your sex, this at least 
 will bring me a little closer." 
 
 " If it is gossip the habit with you has grown 
 too trite to occasion interest." 
 
 Don Luis attempted to control his impatience, 
 and in a more gracious tone continued. " Do 
 not be so cruel. You make me very unhappy."
 
 70 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " Si, seiior? " She drawled the words half in 
 solently, " Who, but the absolutely heartless, 
 would give Don Luis pain." 
 
 " Senorita, you torture my soul ! You treat 
 me as a worm ! " 
 
 " Truly, Don Luis, your comprehension is 
 keener than I dreamed." 
 
 This was torture of the most exquisite kind. 
 The man got to his feet and turned upon her 
 almost fiercely : 
 
 " You shall not trifle with me. I am not a 
 worm to be crushed under your feet. I love you, 
 senorita. I would die for you ! " 
 
 The girl arose. Into her eyes had come a hos 
 tile challenge. " Heroic truly ! But promise 
 me, senor, at least not to die here. It would be 
 inconvenient annoying, and there is space out 
 side." 
 
 " Senorita Marie, I came to give you news, 
 and, in spite of your indifference, I will not rob 
 you of the choice morsel. It is about Pajarito. 
 You must not speak with that " 
 
 "Dios!" came through her half -opened 
 mouth. " You presume to tell me what I shall 
 do, senor? " 
 
 The glitter in her eyes startled him. He drew 
 closer. " I love you, Marie. I wish to protect 
 you " He attempted to clasp her in his arms. 
 " I love you to distraction, that is why I came 
 to tell you " 
 
 She sprang from him and from her thick coils 
 of hair drew a slim blade. " Go ! " she breathed.
 
 DON LUIS PAYS A CALL 71 
 
 Her face was as white as the lilies that swayed 
 on the water in the basin. 
 
 " Sefiorita, I beg you at least to let me tell you 
 my news ; you will find it well worth hearing." 
 
 His insistence infuriated her, even above the 
 little gnawing desire in her heart to hear his 
 tale. To thrust himself upon her reluctant fa 
 vor to intrude thus boldly upon her seclusion 
 was in itself unpardonable an audacity too 
 daring to warrant her yielding all her dignity for 
 some strange wisp of gossip. 
 
 " Go, senor, while you may or shall it be 
 upon a litter? " 
 
 He left, muttering curses. She sank to the 
 rim of the basin, trembling with rage, the blade 
 still in her hand. " How dare he intrude 
 upon me Dios! How dare he!" she panted. 
 " Love ! Bah ! " Shuddering, she replaced the 
 knife carefully, rearranging the lace rebosa 
 about her head. 
 
 " A secret ! " she mused. " I shall soon learn 
 it, any secret of his will soon be common talk."
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 THE ESCAPE OF MARTA 
 
 AT the El Carmelo Mission the Indians were 
 filing in from the fields, their labors over for the 
 day. Most of them slouched along silently with 
 immobile countenances begrimed with dust and 
 perspiration. Others, mostly the youths, talked 
 in monotones broken by the abrupt gutturals of 
 their tongue. Where the Carmel River mean 
 dered through the Mission purlieus many lin 
 gered to wade in and lap the clear current like 
 tired dogs. 
 
 In the long dining-room that backed the clois 
 tered rooms of the priests all sat to eat the 
 priests at one end of the board, the Indians at the 
 other. It had become a habit with those at table 
 to wait for the woman Marta to drag her heavy 
 chains across the adobe floor before blessings 
 were asked. Marta, ignoring the glances di 
 rected her way, never lifted her eyes. Her for 
 mer sturdy figure had fallen away to tenuity, 
 and her cheek-bones were high and lean. She 
 moved about, indifferent and taciturn, stoically 
 dragging her chains the penalty of an act com 
 mitted in haste and exploited with her every 
 movement. 
 
 The meal over, the lusty-throated bells called 
 
 72
 
 THE ESCAPE OF MARTA 73 
 
 loudly to vespers, and half an hour later few 
 remained outside the chapel. Several loiterers 
 strayed behind Marta, who, with a century of 
 weariness seeming to separate her lagging steps, 
 was endeavoring to reach the chapel in time for 
 mass. When almost to the monolith the woman 
 paused, as if for breath. Without a sign of 
 warning, a stealthily creeping band of naked 
 Indians rounded the corner of the building, and 
 without a sound lifted Marta and bore her away. 
 Astonishment for several moments silenced the 
 gaping stragglers who had been following her. 
 Then a high, shrill cry brought a few priests to 
 the scene. Soon the space before the chapel was 
 filled with excited priests and neophytes. Try 
 as they would the priests could not quiet the 
 tumult. Father Juposa in stern tones ordered 
 the whip to be used if they did not enter the 
 chapel for vespers. Heedless of threats they 
 stayed, talking in high, excited tones. A door 
 opened and from it came the stately Padre Presi 
 dent. His face was as calm as the gentle day. 
 Not until he spoke did they heed his presence, 
 then, as quiet and breathless as when cloistered, 
 they separated with awed attention admitting 
 him to their group. He raised his eyes to the 
 sky and spoke : 
 
 " Children of the one holy faith, be not dis 
 mayed because a serpent has tempted and is try 
 ing to destroy a child of this Mission. God s 
 arm is ever stretched to rescue his own." A 
 low murmuring followed. " Go ! Enter the
 
 74 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 chapel " Before he could continue, the thud 
 of many galloping hoops announced the arrival 
 of the cavalry from the Presidio. The Padre 
 President raised his arm : " Satan shall be ren 
 dered powerless by strength from on high. Chil 
 dren, go thou and enter the house of God ! " 
 
 Many moved toward the chapel entrance, but 
 as the horsemen drew closer the neophytes gath 
 ered about them in tense anticipation. 
 
 The Comandante, with flying mantle, rode at 
 the side of his troops, each man armed and keen 
 for action. At the Mission the Comandante 
 reined to speak to the President. The horses 
 pranced, their eyes dilated with excitement and 
 their bodies quivered from the recent pressure 
 of spurs. 
 
 The shadows of dusk were falling, effacing the 
 fading colors of sunset. A volley of arrows, 
 showered as it were from the gathering shadows, 
 frenzied the restless beasts. Snorting and foam 
 ing they whirled and reared under the cautious 
 handling of their riders. Wild shouts sounded 
 suddenly from the dusk. 
 
 " The Indians in revolt ! " cried the enraged 
 Comandante. He turned his horse to give a 
 sharp command to his eager followers. The 
 horses were reined to order, and the soldiers 
 promptly responded to the assault of arrows by a 
 salvo of gun shots. The fusillade continued on 
 both sides until a piercing shriek from a stricken 
 woman rent the smoke-filled air, then again rang 
 out the Comandante s " Forward I " The frantic
 
 THE ESCAPE OF MARTA 75 
 
 horses needed no urging, though spurs were 
 pressed to their flanks with vicious impulse. On 
 they dashed, shots traveling over their heads in 
 futile, furious aim. 
 
 The shadows had deepened and a creeping fog 
 added still more somber shades to the scene. 
 The answering shots and clattering hoofs became 
 more and more distant, but the victory was not 
 for the cavalry; the shadows had befriended the 
 craftier foe, sheltering them in well-known nooks 
 from the sight of their pursuers. Silence fell 
 about the Mission as the last faint sounds of the 
 galloping troops died away in the distance. The 
 only sign of the past sharp struggle a struggle 
 that had been vain was the lifeless forms of 
 a few naked Indians, bound with loin-clothes, 
 stretched stark on the ground. And Marta was 
 well on her way to the Indian camp, carried by 
 the loyal tribemen who had snatched her from 
 hateful bondage.
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 A SECRET NO LONGER 
 
 THE afternoon went slowly for Pajarita. 
 After she had finished her simple meal in the 
 kitchen she went to the patio and stayed there 
 while the family were at siesta. Marie had ap 
 parently forgotten Pajarita s presence and was 
 with her mother in the donna s alcoba (bed 
 room ) . The gentle sefiora was perturbed at the 
 recent disturbance in regard to Marta, and Marie 
 argued to quiet her. The hour for the evening 
 meal went by unheeded by mother and daughter. 
 The Indian servant came for Pajarita, and guid 
 ing her to the kitchen gave her food. Pajarita, 
 without desire for eating, left untasted the food 
 and returned to the patio. She had thought and 
 worried over the expected Indian skirmish at 
 the Mission, but, unable to talk with any one, 
 had been obliged to content herself with wait 
 ing for Don Jose. She had grown weary and 
 impatient at his prolonged absence. When the 
 hour for drill arrived she thought he would 
 surely come, but the time passed without in 
 cident. Pajarita was sorry she had promised 
 Don Jos6 that she would stay at the Comand- 
 ante s until he came for her, otherwise, she would 
 
 have left in search of him. 
 
 76
 
 A SECRET NO LONGER, 77 
 
 It was twilight when a servant found Pa- 
 jarita where she sat on the veranda, wearied to 
 ennui, and told her she was wanted indoors. 
 Quickly Pajarita followed the criado into the sola 
 de clase. There were the Comandante and Cap 
 tain Sol. They sat together talking over their 
 failure to capture Marta s rescuers. The chase 
 had been fast and furious but vain. Senorita 
 Marie stood before a large frame covered with 
 fine linen from which she drew white threads; 
 Don Luis Pages lounged on the window-seat, and 
 with ingratiating tones was endeavoring to gain 
 Marie s inattentive ear. The Seiioras Delfina 
 and Sofia were together, engaged in reminiscent 
 chat. As Pajarita entered all stopped talking. 
 She stepped within the doorway, then stood wait 
 ing. Quickly her eyes scanned the room for 
 Don Jose; she was disappointed. 
 
 " Caramba! " The Comandante s heavy eye 
 brows, lifting, furrowed his forehead. " Come 
 you here, muchacTio! " 
 
 Pajarita walked to his side. The Comandante 
 took her hand in his and smiled into her face. 
 This big, blustering man loved all children, and 
 they too, in spite of his seeming harshness, were 
 drawn to him. 
 
 " Well, well, you are still here? I did not ex 
 pect it, boy. I feared you had taken another 
 journey, you little vagabond ! " 
 
 " No, senor, I will not take another soon, I 
 promised Daddy-don. But where is he, senor? 
 I am very tired of waiting."
 
 78 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 The big man laughed heartily. " Quit Tired? 
 But I thought you had a good night s rest and 
 a long siesta?" 
 
 "Yes, senor, a good night s rest, but not a 
 long siesta. I was too impatient for Daddy s re 
 turn and anxious to know about the Indians. 
 Did they try to rescue Marta, the Indian 
 woman? " 
 
 This particular subject was wormwood to the 
 Comandante and Pajarita s question irritated 
 him anew. " Dios! the thieving vipers! Would 
 that I could throttle every red-skinned one of 
 them ! 
 
 " That would not be just, senor." 
 
 " Just ! " He laughed uproariously. " You 
 imp of Satan! What know you of justice? 
 You are meddling in matters that concern older 
 heads. The red-skins are a menace to the land." 
 
 The girl s eyes opened wide and she stepped 
 closer. 
 
 " That is not true, senor ! " 
 
 The Comandante partly rose in his chair. 
 
 " The saints in heaven ! A tongue you have 
 that needs curbing." 
 
 "Why should the truth anger you, senor? 
 You are unjust in your rage. The Indians work 
 for you so that you may be idle. Because of 
 this you grow lazy." 
 
 The occupants of the room fairly gaped in 
 astonishment. The Comandante rose to his feet, 
 then settled back in his chair and looked at the 
 child. She appeared comically diminutive to the
 
 A SECRET NO LONGER 79 
 
 big man. Her brightened color, her bobbing 
 curls and her wistful big eyes attracted him, but 
 her spirit won him. 
 
 "You are a baby, son, and should not trouble 
 your pretty head over matters you do not under 
 stand." 
 
 " But, seiior, I do know that the Indians are 
 good. They meant no harm in going for Marta. 
 I too was sorry for her and would like to see her 
 freed from those terrible chains. Of course they 
 do not understand that they should not harm 
 others to free her. I was so frightened when I 
 saw them around that big fire, dancing and 
 screaming. I thought ," she hesitated. " Did 
 they go to the Mission and harm the good padres 
 or did you ? " 
 
 " They went, boy, but they did not harm the 
 padres" 
 
 " I am glad, glad, senor, but Marta what of 
 her? " 
 
 The man frowned. " What is the heathen to 
 you, boy? Clear your mind of nonsense. She is 
 a murderer a she-devil ! " 
 
 " Senor, please do not say that. She is a poor 
 creature. I wish they could have freed her." 
 
 " Then I have news for you, muchacho" 
 
 " They took her? " 
 
 " Yes ! " 
 
 " Oh, senor ! " Pajarita dropped on her knees 
 before the Gomandante. Her eyes shone. " I 
 am glad ! " she hesitated. " But you didn t get 
 there before they ? "
 
 80 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 "No!" abruptly. 
 
 " But, senor, Juan and I ran for miles and 
 miles to tell you, so you could be there in time." 
 
 The Comandante rose hastily. " Get you out, 
 boy ! I will not hear more of your babble ! " 
 
 Pajarita rose also. She squared her shoulders 
 and her eyes shot sparks. 
 
 " You do not like the truth, senor, nor do you 
 always tell it that I have proved. I will tell 
 it for you." She talked fast and furiously. Her 
 face flushed ; her manner excited. " The Indians 
 have spoiled you ! You are too too " 
 she hesitated. " You move too slowly. Tis a 
 habit you should correct not forever laugh 
 at." 
 
 The Comandante, thoroughly nonplussed, 
 dropped into his seat. Before he could get his 
 breath, she started again. 
 
 " Daddy-don said you were a wonderful com 
 mander because you knew how to train the sol 
 diers well, but, senor, I should think you more 
 wonderful if you trained them to move quickly." 
 
 " You little imp of Satan ! " This was the first 
 child that had ever dared to be rude to him and 
 the Comandante knew not whether to thrash the 
 insolent boy, or laugh at his folly. Spanish chil 
 dren were taught to be subservient to their 
 elders in the face of everything. The man 
 mopped his head with a large handkerchief while 
 eyeing the child sternly. " An insolent, un 
 trained boy you are, Pajarito. Come you here 
 and apologize for your rudeness."
 
 A SECRET NO LONGER 81 
 
 " Senor, I will, if you first beg my pardon. 
 You have been rude to me." 
 
 The old soldier stared at the child in an unbe 
 lieving way, then burst into loud laughter. The 
 thing was preposterous enough to be amusing. 
 " How have I been rude, boy? " 
 
 " You have called me miserable names, Senor." 
 
 The man rose with a deep twinkle in his bushy- 
 covered eyes, and bowed gallantly. " I beg your 
 excellency s pardon. My heart is humbled." 
 
 Pajarita smiled into the man s face. Twas 
 the smile that had won Don Jose, that day on 
 the beach. " Thank you, seilor." She bowed as 
 he had done. " I am sorry I was rude to you, 
 senor. Will you pardon me? " 
 
 " That I will, my boy." He seated himself. 
 
 Her eyes danced. " A wonderful man you are 
 as Daddy said." Impulsively she threw her 
 arms about his neck and kissed him on the 
 cheek. 
 
 " Caraniba! " he choked. " I am not so sure 
 which is worse, your sharp retorts or your suf 
 focating amends." The laughter of the two rang 
 out merrily. Each one had completely won over 
 the other. 
 
 The family and their guests remained silent 
 spectators to this scene. Their thoughts and ex 
 pressions ran riot during the conversation be 
 tween the man and the child. Captain Sol and 
 Don Luis Fages alone were amused. 
 
 The embroidery Marie had been working on 
 fell to the floor. She rose to her feet. At the
 
 82 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 beginning of the conversation between her father 
 and the boy, she had listened indifferently ; as it 
 continued, her annoyance grew, and her face as 
 sumed an expression of contempt. Why did her 
 father allow this boy, this waif, to stand before 
 him, the Comandante, and voice such insolence. 
 Her father s surprising tolerance of the youth s 
 impertinence enraged her. She herself would 
 not dare to speak as Pajarita had spoken to her 
 father. She recalled an incident that had hap 
 pened in their home, not very long since, when 
 her father struck his own son across the face be 
 cause of some slight retort. The two had barely 
 parted as friends at the last moment before her 
 brother, Don Charles, had sailed for foreign 
 parts, and she knew only too well that another 
 scene under the same circumstances would re 
 sult in the same act from her father, and yet her 
 brother had reached the age of manhood. Marie 
 turned to Captain Sol. 
 
 " Captain Sol, you are enjoying this courteous 
 colloquy? " 
 
 " Senorita Marie, pardon, but the situation is 
 unique," said the man still smiling. 
 
 " Seiior ! It is infuriating ! " In a flash she 
 turned to her father. 
 
 " Father, would it not be well to close this 
 scene by displaying some of the authority and 
 dignity of which you are so proud?" 
 
 " Caramba! " expostulated the angry parent. 
 
 " Daughter, hold your tongue ! Shall a child 
 of mine dictate to her father? Dios! You have
 
 forgotten your training. Does a Spanish child 
 presume to advise a parent? " 
 
 His attention was drawn to a hand dragging 
 at his sleeve. He turned. Pajarita s eyes were 
 pleading. 
 
 " Senor Comandante, I beg of you to pardon 
 me for causing this trouble. I should not have 
 spoken of the Indians." 
 
 " Nonsense, nonsense ! Those dogs stole a 
 march on us, and have taught us a lesson for the 
 future; promptness of action should be the re 
 ligion of an army. Is it not so. Captain Sol? " 
 
 The latter answered with a smile that was half 
 grimace. He whispered a word at which the 
 Comandante flushed, then the two turned to talk 
 together in low tones. Marie went to the grat 
 ing. There she stood rigidly erect. Her face, 
 framed in the lace rebosa showing white and 
 scornful. 
 
 Don Luis had not taken his eyes from Marie s 
 face. He would have given his soul not to have 
 displeased her as he had done the previous day. 
 He had taken undue liberty in entering her pres 
 ence unannounced, but he had seen an oppor 
 tunity of gaining her favor through telling her 
 Pajarita s secret, for well he knew the knowledge 
 he could impart was worth her attention. He 
 had returned to-day to humble himself for her 
 forgiveness, but she treated him with such cold 
 indifference that he feared almost to stay and 
 endeavor to win a word from her. In this un 
 certain state of mind he lingered on, lured by
 
 84 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 the girl s beauty and his hope of pleasing her. 
 When Pajarita had entered the sala he deter 
 mined to stay on. Carefully he noted Marie s 
 growing anger, and when she returned to the 
 grating he whispered : " Senorita, the delectable 
 secret of which I spoke awaits your will. Tis 
 more delicious than you could conceive of." 
 
 Marie might have been stone for all the heed 
 she gave him. 
 
 The Comandante, engrossed in his conversa 
 tion with Captain Sol, had forgotten Pajarita, 
 and, feeling somewhat forlorn, she rose from her 
 seat and walked toward the doorway. 
 
 " Pajarito ! " the Comandante called. " Come 
 here ! " She went to him. He drew her closer, 
 and scrutinized her face. " You are not going 
 to run away again, mucliachof " He laughed 
 good-naturedly and took her hand in his. 
 " No, senor ! " 
 
 " Bueno! Tis well to be cautious you lack 
 sturdiness and strength." 
 Pajarita shrank. 
 
 " Caramba! " The Comandante noticed her 
 embarrassment. " No offense ! Tis often the 
 slight one that runs longest in the race. You are 
 weary, now, from your long tramp. A year in 
 the Calif ornias will develop you into a modern 
 Antaeus, then we will make of you a soldier, 
 si? " 
 
 Don Luis voiced a low exclamation. Marie 
 turned to him. He did not lose his chance. His 
 lips parted in a furtively exultant smile.
 
 " A miracle must be wrought, senorita, to make 
 a soldier of such as Pajarito." 
 
 Marie, curious at last, chiefly because of the 
 subtle significance of his tone, spoke impa 
 tiently. " Senor, your secret is a live coal, burn 
 ing in your brain. Cast it out before it con 
 sumes you." 
 
 "Ah, then, Senorita Marie is at last inter 
 ested ! " 
 
 " My interest, senor, is not for me but for 
 you ! It is your restlessness I would quell ; your 
 peace of mind suffers! But Cielo! Keep your 
 words ! " Her haughty impatience changed to 
 indifference. She turned again to the grating. 
 
 " Sancissimo! Be not offended, Senorita 
 Marie." His eagerness became anxiety. " Ah, 
 senorita, I pray you listen, you may have all the 
 secrets of my soul for the asking." He leaned 
 closer and whispered. As she heard, her scorn 
 fully tolerant smile vanished. Her eyelids nar 
 rowed as she turned directly opposite to him. 
 
 " You are fond of joking si, Senor Luis? " 
 
 Don Luis shook his head. " Not upon such a 
 subject ! " he declared. Spreading her fan, 
 Marie waved it slowly, trying to assume an in 
 sensibility she did not feel. Marie had felt her 
 own supreme popularity somewhat overshadowed 
 by Pajarita, but had not deigned to give outward 
 sign of the little twinge of jealousy that had 
 moved her. Don .Luis news, however, if true, 
 changed everything. To be supplanted in the 
 smallest way by this waif this girl ! She had
 
 86 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 thought to take time to question, to prove Don 
 Luis gossip, but it was needless. A hundred 
 little things noted, but not marked before, came 
 up to vouch for the truth of the revelation. She 
 turned from the don and moved slowly toward 
 her father. 
 
 " Father mio, it was another son, I thought, 
 would win your favor to take Don Charles 
 place in his absence, as you have so often 
 said?" 
 
 "Si, daughter, you have spoken truly. The 
 chance is at hand why not Pajarito, then?" 
 he said smilingly. 
 
 Marie s opportunity had come quickly, easily. 
 Her lip curled. 
 
 "A daughter? I thought one was all you 
 could possibly endure ! " 
 
 The Comandante turned, the better to look at 
 her. 
 
 " You speak in riddles, daughter. Is it be 
 cause you have lost your mind as well as your 
 manners? " 
 
 The taunt stung Marie to fury. " Quit You 
 forbid a daughter to question your dignity, but 
 let this strange girl this masquerader flout 
 you as she wills ! " 
 
 Marie was superb in her indignation. 
 
 " Virgin Sancissimo ! What mean you? Speak 
 your thoughts, so that your evil suspicions may 
 be destroyed." 
 
 " Wait ! " The Governor s voice sounded from 
 the open doorway. All turned toward him in
 
 A SECRET NO LONGER 87 
 
 amazement. His tones were low. " I overheard 
 Seiiorita Marie s remark " 
 
 "Oh, daddy-don, I am so glad!" Pajarita 
 could not contain herself longer. She knew 
 what was coming and wished to forestall the 
 declaration. 
 
 " Sefior Comandante," she faltered, " I have 
 deceived you ! " 
 
 The man took out his handkerchief and slowly 
 mopped his brow. 
 
 " By the souls of our fathers ! Why did you 
 seem to be a boy? " 
 
 " Because well ! Seiior, I thought you all 
 would care more for me ! " 
 
 " What? " The Comandante continued wip 
 ing the beads of moisture from his face. 
 
 Senora Sofia rose to her feet and walked to her 
 brother. 
 
 " Brother mio, did I not tell you? Now that 
 we have been so humiliated, so basely deceived, 
 what " 
 
 " Silence, sister ! " He laid his hand on his 
 sister s shoulder, " Keep your comments for an 
 other time." He turned to the group about him, 
 " Truly this is a perplexing and unpleasant scene 
 for your home. I am humbled to the earth that 
 it should have happened here. Let me say that 
 until a few days since, I myself did not know 
 what you have just now learned. However, it 
 makes no difference to me. Pajarita will live 
 with, and be one of us. She has no other friends 
 no other shelter."
 
 88 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 The girl s head snuggled close to the man s 
 side. Don Jose patted her curls gently. No one 
 but the Comandante saw the tears that dropped 
 from Pajarita s eyes. 
 
 " Dios bueno! " he ejaculated. " It makes no 
 difference to any of us! Who said so?" He 
 smiled, " I am glad for your decision, Don Jose. 
 I shall need Pajarita to assist me in drilling the 
 soldiers. She has just informed me that they 
 should move more quickly." 
 
 Captain Sol went to Pajarita and smiling said : 
 " Senorita Pajarita, was your advice alone to the 
 soldiers? " 
 
 Her smile grateful relieved, answered his, 
 " You Spaniards are so wonderful in your kind 
 ness and generosity but the sands move 
 quicker." 
 
 " Pajarita, the Spaniards gallop at least in 
 intent." 
 
 " Si, but on horseback, senor, because they are 
 too tired to walk." 
 
 " Cielo! Your tongue and wit, child, are truly 
 feminine in sharpness." 
 
 Pajarita laughed, " A double compliment you 
 give our sex, but, senor, I am wondering why you 
 did not make your analysis an hour since?" 
 
 " Twas because our minds are as lazy as our 
 feet, sit " 
 
 " You Spaniards are too delightful in your 
 willingness to acknowledge a fault, for me to 
 claim one for you. If I have seemed rude, I beg 
 your pardon."
 
 A SECRET NO LONGER 89 
 
 The Comandante was urging his guests to re 
 main and dine, but Seiiora Sofia, with her usual 
 tranquillity ruffled to a nervous tension by the 
 recent events, declared that they must go. 
 
 Don Jose bowed low over his hostess hand, 
 " I beg of you to forget this day s event. My 
 heart is humbled. Command and I am at your 
 service. You, Comandante, friend mio, I am ever 
 indebted to your generosity. Good friends, aclios 
 for this day." The man bowed himself and his 
 companions to the door. Turning at the thresh 
 old, he looked at Don Luis, " Don Luis, by 
 heaven! an excellent tattler you make, but be 
 ware, lest some sharp edged knife deprive you 
 yet of so loose a tongue ! "
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 PAJARITA VISITS THE PADRE PRESIDENT 
 
 THE morning was as clear as the tones of the 
 Mission bells that sang their refrain through the 
 air. The tones were more than sounds; they 
 were voices commanding obedience, and after the 
 manner of all autocrats cast their peremptory 
 summons far and wide. 
 
 The time was ten o clock and the dictum was 
 for prayer. It was a moment set aside for de 
 votional silence and the angelus was the Te 
 Deum. Far and wide over the great expanse of 
 wonderful, sun-kissed country followers of the 
 one faith, from the humblest to the most exalted, 
 bowed themselves in simple worship. 
 
 Don Jose and the girl who rode at his side 
 reined in their horses and dismounted. Don 
 Jose removed his sombrero and held it beneath 
 his bent head and his criado, ever watchful so as 
 to emulate his master s example, did likewise, 
 though the servant s eyes furtively roamed, while 
 the master s closed. 
 
 The benevolence of the Power from above that 
 blesses one and blesses all, was consummate this 
 day, for a smile was upon the face of life. The 
 Californias, like the horn of plenty, were running 
 over with plenary bounty. The sincere devo- 
 
 90
 
 PAJARITA VISITS 91 
 
 tion of these simple-hearted Californians seemed 
 to rebound to them in twofold benefit. Mile 
 after mile stretched out into undulating fields 
 of growing grain where neophytes labored, only 
 resting now as the angelus called. Cattle and 
 sheep grazed on green pastures ; narrow, gurgling 
 streams irrigated rows and rows of fruit trees 
 young, but full of promise; and vineyards 
 sprawled over acres. Well could Don Jose bow 
 his head in worship and thanksgiving, for long 
 and faithfully had he labored for these results. 
 True, he had not labored alone, for the holy 
 Padre President of the Californias Missions was 
 untiring in his energy, but Don Jose, the Gov 
 ernor of the Californias, had been instrumental 
 in annexing and developing ranchos for the bene 
 fit of the Presidio, while the Padre labored for 
 the Missions. 
 
 As the last floating cadence waned Don Jose 
 and Pajarita lifted their heads and their faces 
 reflected the peace and harmony of the country. 
 
 Two years had passed since Don Jose had 
 found this girl on the Monterey beach, and, as 
 much can happen in a day, so very much had 
 place in the months that had followed that event. 
 Pajarita was no longer a delicate, undersized 
 child, but was now a young girl unfolding into 
 perfect womanhood. Though yet a child in im 
 pulsiveness the impulsiveness of joyous youth 
 she was very truly nearing the dividing line 
 when childish impulses would be put aside for 
 maturer yearnings. It would need only a slight
 
 92 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 emotion to rush her beyond that line, and then 
 the awakening would be complete. Very care 
 fully and patiently Don Jose had directed, per 
 suaded, influenced during these two years, and 
 now he waited anxiously for that moment that 
 intense moment when Pajarita would be fully 
 cognizant of herself and her place in life. Why 
 he was concerned over this he did not know 
 only sometimes he wondered if it would make a 
 difference Pajarita had been so completely his 
 own, his very own. From the first his sister had 
 given him to understand she would only tolerate 
 her presence, and, do what he could, he found it 
 impossible to break down the barriers she held 
 between herself and the girl. So he had taken 
 the sole responsibility of Pajarita on his own 
 shoulders, and now sometimes he grew un 
 easy. 
 
 Don Jose had had many problems to furrow 
 his brow since the day in his study when he at 
 tempted his first lesson in discipline, but he had 
 learned many things during these months and 
 the most useful and the greatest of all was to 
 lead with kindness. There had been occasions 
 when he seemed helpless, and at such times the 
 only solution had been a hurt silence on his part ; 
 this always resulted well, for he knew Pajarita 
 could not endure to wound him. With all the 
 anxieties it had been a happy two years for both 
 of them, and now, as Don Jose s eyes looked at 
 his companion s glowing face, he was thankful 
 that heaven had sent him this responsibility.
 
 PAJARITA VISITS 93 
 
 " Pajarita," he asked, " you are happy? " 
 
 She looked at him with a half saucy expres 
 sion, but a deep light played in her eyes, " Daddy- 
 don, I feel as if little bubbles of joy were dancing 
 in me." Then a little more seriously she added, 
 " The day is so glad, it would make all feel happy. 
 Is it not good to be living, daddy? " 
 
 " Si, Pajarita, very good indeed, but especially 
 so, when one is in the Californias." 
 
 " You love the Californias almost more than 
 you love anything else, do you not, daddy?" 
 
 He was thoughtful. " I indeed think well of 
 this country, but then it is a duty with me as 
 well as a great pleasure to have it close at heart." 
 
 " Yes, daddy-don, it is right to love the Cali 
 fornias, but you must not love them more 
 than " 
 
 He smiled whimsically at her puckered lips, 
 "Than si?" 
 
 " You know you must not love anything or any 
 body more than me." 
 
 " Very true, you and Sofia are both very dear 
 to me." 
 
 They were walking and Don Jose was leading 
 the two horses. The criado was far in the rear, 
 half asleep on his jogging horse. With one step 
 of his horse he would be jerked forward, with 
 another backward, and so he lolled, thoroughly 
 enjoying the peace of the moment. Pajarita re 
 mained silent after Don Jose ceased talking. 
 They were on their way to the Presidio from one 
 of the ranchos where Don Jose had gone very
 
 94 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 early that morning on business. He had taken 
 Pajarita with him as he had done very often 
 when going only a short distance. They now had 
 only a few miles to travel. They could feel the 
 salty breeze that came inland from the ocean. 
 It was refreshing, and Don Jose inhaled it greed 
 ily. He loved the invigorating breath of the sea 
 as he loved the land he governed. Though quiet 
 and rather severe to all appearances, Don Jose 
 in the depth of his soul cherished profound emo 
 tion. Silently they continued their walking, 
 each wrapped in serious thought. 
 
 Pajarita was trying to overcome a slight op 
 pression that had sprung up quite unexpectedly 
 just before Don Jose ceased talking. She had 
 been happy and she did not wish now to be 
 gloomy, but, somehow, a burdened, resentful feel 
 ing followed Don Jose s mention of Donna Sofia. 
 Before leaving the casa that morning Sofia had 
 scolded her because of something the Indian serv 
 ant Estia had told her. Pajarita hated the 
 servant. She knew it was because of this hatred 
 Donna Sofia insisted that Estia be Pajarita s 
 duenna. The Indian was ever about, trailing 
 her, ever spying on her actions, and carrying 
 tales to the Senora Sofia; this caused endless 
 trouble for her and she could not seem to alter 
 things. In her heart, she wished to please Sofia, 
 hasten home with intentions that were noble; 
 and, after confession to Padre Juposa, she would 
 but, alas! It is always easier to feel than to 
 act, and when once in Donna Sofia s presence
 
 PAJARITA VISITS 95 
 
 her noble intentions were cast to the breeze. 
 Then followed a burning desire to retaliate. 
 
 In the beginning of her life at the casa she 
 would talk these things over with Don Jose, but 
 very soon she learned to keep them to herself, 
 for she found out how deeply they hurt him. She 
 knew he hoped they would be friends, and for 
 his sake, she wished Sofia would not dislike her ; 
 but Pajarita saw her always indifferent, sharp 
 and contemptuous, and she herself could not help 
 but resent this injustice. At last she spoke to 
 Don Jose". 
 
 " Daddy-don, I wish that I might have the 
 Indian woman Ann for my duenna." 
 
 Ann served in the casa. She had been kind 
 to Pajarita from the first and was continually 
 showing her partiality. Sofia saw this and it 
 made her determined that Ann should not serve 
 Pajarita. 
 
 " But, Pajarita mia, we discussed that subject 
 before and came to the conclusion, as no doubt 
 you remember, that it was best to allow Donna 
 Sofia to have her own way in the matter." 
 
 "Yes, I remember, but I greatly dislike the 
 Indian woman ! " 
 
 He took her hand. " Pajarita mia, think you 
 it is best to let your prejudices control you? " 
 
 ""No! if they are prejudices, but they are 
 not! The woman is not honest. She carries 
 tales to Donna Sofia. I would that I could have 
 a servant of my own choosing, then, I am sure, 
 Donna Sofia and I would not be at odds so often.
 
 96 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 It is, I am sure, the woman s mischief-making 
 that does the harm." 
 
 " Pajarita, I shall do all I can to help matters, 
 but nina mia, " Here he hesitated and his 
 voice was appealing, " Be patient with Sofia. 
 She is a good sister, and her heart is kind ; keep 
 your peace with her." 
 
 Pajarita was impatient, " What use is a kind 
 heart if one never shows it? I would rather be 
 lieve her heart cruel." 
 
 Instantly she could have bitten off her tongue. 
 She knew that she should have remained silent. 
 Don Jose turned his eyes away to the ocean that 
 was tumbling restlessly. The great waves, heav 
 ing into billows that ran to break impotently on 
 the relentless rocks made him think of his own 
 big hopes and struggles as foredoomed to destruc 
 tion as they. For an instant he did not hear 
 Pajarita, then her voice drew him away from his 
 reverie. 
 
 " Daddy I beg your pardon I am truly 
 sorry, for what I said " 
 
 " There there ! You are no exception to the 
 rule, Pajarita. We all speak before we should 
 only nina, guard your thoughts ; they are things, 
 and in creating them you give them power to 
 sting. Be patient! It is for your welfare 
 Donna Sofia sends Estia with you. Now we will 
 mount and hasten on our way, for the sun is 
 climbing to its throne, and while it reigns in full 
 power it is wise to be under cover." 
 
 Pajarita laughed. She was again happy.
 
 PAJARITA VISITS 97 
 
 "You say things to comfort me daddy-don, and 
 how can I help trying to please you? I am so 
 glad that I have you, and I will try to do the 
 best I can." 
 
 " Bueno! Pajarita, my heart is at peace. 
 Come! We will return. Dios! Is that not the 
 Indian woman, Marta, that stands beside yon 
 rock?" 
 
 " Oh ! Daddy, she would speak with you." 
 
 Don Jose stood where he was and called to 
 the woman who timorously with bowed head 
 walked to his side. 
 
 " Marta, why are you here? " he asked her. 
 
 " Marta no go to Mission." 
 
 "Why? " Don Jose spoke abruptly. 
 
 " Marta afraid ! " 
 
 " There is no reason for you to fear, woman." 
 
 " Si, Padre, senor." 
 
 " Marta, I wish you to return to the Mission ! " 
 
 " No ! No ! Marta afraid ! Padre put chains on 
 Marta. Make Marta sick ! " She covered her 
 heart with her hand then dropped to her knees. 
 
 Don Jose looked at the swaying form. 
 
 " Marta, why did you come here after staying 
 away so long? " 
 
 The woman became still, and with studied care 
 put her thought into speech : " Marta, speak 
 Seuor Governor. Senor mucho bueno, help 
 Marta." 
 
 " Why did you not stay with the Indians? " 
 
 " No like be chief s squaw ! No like stay In 
 dians ! "
 
 98 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " Stand, woman ! You must return to t^he 
 Mission. I will accompany you there and talk 
 to the Padre." 
 
 The woman got to her feet, but, before Don 
 Jose had finished speaking, she fell again to her 
 knees, and began rocking her body in suppressed 
 agitation. To Marta, after her experience, there 
 seemed nothing to hope from the clemency of the 
 Padre President. Much sooner would she return 
 to the life she had fled from than endure again 
 the burning anguish she had been rescued from. 
 
 Pajarita had been watching the woman. She 
 could understand how she felt and knew without 
 a doubt that Marta would not return to the Mis 
 sion and serve any further penance. If they had 
 tried to convince Marta that her punishment was 
 at an end she would not have believed them, for 
 to her, as surely as she had served, would she 
 have to continue serving, until she could confess 
 her repentance. This she could never do even 
 though they lashed her body to death. She had 
 killed for a just cause, according to her beliefs, 
 and she would do so again if the same occasion 
 would arise again. That was why she had ap 
 pealed to the Governor. They had told her he 
 was " much good man," and she had sought him 
 out thinking there was salvation in him. She 
 did not reason how nor why. 
 
 Pajarita spoke in a low tone to Don Jose. 
 
 " Please, daddy-don, help the woman." 
 
 fe Nina mid., si, all that I am able to do, I will, 
 but she must return to the Mission. The Padre
 
 PAJARITA VISITS 99 
 
 President will arrange her future. I cannot in 
 terfere with church matters, but I will talk with 
 the holy Padre. Come, Marta ! " 
 
 The criado assisted Marta to his horse, and he 
 sat behind her. It was getting late and Don Jose 
 and Pajarita mounted. Silently they rode to the 
 Presidio. On arriving home Don Jose bade the 
 woman wait in his study. 
 
 During the noon meal Pajarita s thoughts flew. 
 She had a plan she was trying to formulate, and 
 she knew that she must think quickly and care 
 fully. Finishing her meal, she excused herself 
 and hastened to the study. Marta was sitting 
 there as they had left her, sullen and silent. She 
 did not even look up as the girl entered. Paja 
 rita took her to the kitchen and served her with 
 food. While she ate Pajarita leaned close and 
 half whispered: " Marta, you will go with me? " 
 
 " No go ! " came between mouthfuls of food. 
 She had had nothing to eat for many hours and 
 was hungry. 
 
 " Yes, Marta ! You must go with me, and 
 and perhaps I can help you so you will not 
 have to stay." 
 
 " No ! Marta no understand, no go ! " 
 
 " Marta, you must not be willful, if you wish 
 me to help you. How would you like to be my 
 woman? " 
 
 The woman s eyes narrowed as she searched 
 Pajarita s face. A light slowly dawned, but she 
 doggedly answered, " No understand ! " 
 
 " Marta, you do ! I know you do. I wish you
 
 100 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 to be my maid to serve me. Tell me quickly, 
 before I take you to the Senor Governor." 
 
 " Si, senorita. Marta be senorita s maid." 
 
 " Finish your food, Marta, then go to -the front 
 veranda and wait there for me." 
 
 Pajarita went to Don Jose s study, where she 
 found him seated at his table writing. He did 
 not look up when she entered but continued writ 
 ing rapidly. Pajarita waited, leaning on the 
 table s edge. Growing impatient with the rapid, 
 incessant scratching of Don Jose s quill, she 
 moved closer and twined her arm about his 
 neck. 
 
 " Will you stop for just a moment and listen, 
 please? " 
 
 He dropped his quill and half turned so as to 
 look at her. 
 
 " Daddy-don I would have your permission 
 to take Marta to the Mission." 
 
 "What! That is not necessary, Pajarita; I 
 will take the woman." 
 
 " Ah ! but, the Senor Governor is busy, and 
 I have nothing else to do; besides, the Indian 
 would escape to her tribe if she cannot be per 
 suaded to remain." 
 
 "What gives you such a foolish notion? " 
 
 " The woman s face speaks her intentions." 
 
 " Do you think you could persuade the woman, 
 Pajarita? " 
 
 " Perhaps, senor, for I could talk as I walked 
 with her." 
 
 The man thought a moment, " As you will. I
 
 PAJARITA VISITS 101 
 
 would have you carry a message to the Padre 
 President. Wait! I will write it now." 
 
 Pajarita seated herself on the window-seat. 
 When Don Jose rose and handed her the mes 
 sage she ran to him, put her arms around his 
 waist, squeezed him with all her strength, then 
 was out of the room before he could get his bear 
 ings. 
 
 On the veranda Pajarita paused to speak to 
 Marta, who rose and followed. Over the short 
 stretch of plain that led to the hillside road Paja 
 rita explained her intentions to Marta, impress 
 ing it upon the woman that she must obey, if she 
 would be free. Marta acquiesced, only half com 
 prehending, but trusting Pajarita. 
 
 This girl, as impetuous as the four-footed crea 
 tures that darted in and out from the tall grasses 
 and ferns, hurried along, her heart light and 
 gay. When almost to the brow of the hill, she 
 stopped at sight of an unusually beautiful clump 
 of golden-headed poppies. She ran to them, her 
 eyes beaming, " Oh, you proud beauties ! " she 
 breathed aloud. " You are like the Spanish 
 seiiors with your golden uniforms, for only the 
 seiiors wear gold. You are conceited, too I 
 can tell it by the way you tilt your heads." 
 Laughing gleefully she picked an arm full, con 
 tinuing her talking the while, " I am going to 
 make you into a beautiful bouquet and see 
 what your wealth will bring me." She grouped 
 them w r ith sprays of .feathery fern. 
 
 Marta watched with .not a change of expres-
 
 102 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 sion. The girl called; Marta moved from the 
 roadside to the spot beneath a wide-spreading 
 oak where Pajarita sat. When she finished ar 
 ranging the flowers she took from her neck a 
 golden cross and held it before Marta. 
 
 " Marta, you will promise by this to stay here 
 beneath this tree, until I return? " 
 
 Marta dropped to her knees with an incoherent 
 mutter and crossed herself. 
 
 "Marta, you will?" 
 
 "Si, senorita." 
 
 On the plateau where the Mission buildings 
 stood homespun-clad neophytes, laboring, rested 
 for a space to watch the golden-haired girl with 
 her golden-hued offering. Pajarita was indeed 
 as richly tinted as the flowers in her hand. The 
 suns had deepened the gold in her hair, and the 
 years under their soft rays had rounded the 
 contour of cheeks and had warmed them from 
 paleness into rich hues. 
 
 At the Padre President s study door Pajarita 
 stopped, raised her hand to knock, then, chang 
 ing her mind, walked in. The venerable man sat 
 at his writing table; he looked up expectantly 
 when the door opened, and the placid expression 
 of his face changed to open surprise. Pajarita, 
 with a smile and her arm outstretched with her 
 offering, advanced to him. Dropping to her 
 knees, she kissed his hand. 
 
 " I bring you these for your blessing, holy 
 Padre." 
 
 " Senorita, the blessing is thine without the
 
 PAJARITA VISITS 103 
 
 reward." He spread his right hand over the 
 bowed head and breathed a prayer, then in a 
 lighter tone : " I accept the gift with thanks. 
 Like all things beautiful and good, they are 
 tokens of love from our Heavenly Father." 
 
 " Yes, Padre President, you also, then, must 
 have been a gift from heaven." 
 
 The man shook his head, " I am but a humble 
 servant sent to work in the Master s vineyard. 
 Seiiorita, thou hast a message for me? " 
 
 " Yes, Padre, but I would speak first the In 
 dian woman Marta, you remember her, Padre? " 
 
 The priest s expression grew stern, " Yes, I re 
 member with sorrow." 
 
 " You, Padre President, would not have Marta 
 stay with the heathens when she is a Christian? " 
 
 " Seiiorita, no one is a Christian who commits 
 sin, unless penance is served with a contrite 
 heart." 
 
 " True, Padre President, but you say you are 
 working in the vineyard to save the souls of the 
 heathen. Marta can not be saved while away 
 from Christian training." 
 
 The Father tapped the table with his quill, 
 then dropped it. 
 
 " Seiiorita, thou hast news of Marta, and she 
 would return? " 
 
 " Padre, I have news." 
 
 " Marta belongs to the Mission ; she was bap 
 tized. Where is the Indian, seilorita? " 
 
 " The message I carry contains all you would 
 know. .1 would speak of other things. Padre
 
 104 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 President, if Marta would not return to the Mis 
 sion, yet she would come to me to serve, would 
 you bestow on me the right of ownership? " 
 
 The man stared blankly at the girl, then, nar 
 rowing his eyelids, asked : " Thou, seuorita, 
 wouldst interfere with the holy church and the 
 salvation of a soul? " 
 
 " Holy Padre, no ! I would be a servant in the 
 vineyard as well, and serve your holiness and our 
 Lord." 
 
 The President took up the pen and tapped the 
 table with its point. A silence fell in the room 
 for several seconds. 
 
 " Senorita, briefly tell all thou knowest " 
 
 Pajarita went through her story carefully, be 
 ginning with her advent into the Indians camp 
 on the hillside, and ending with the scene on the 
 beach. " Padre, Marta would be a Christian, but 
 she is as a little child, and does not understand 
 the ways of the church. She served some pen 
 ance, Padre, and it was no fault of hers that the 
 alloted time was shortened. You would not keep 
 the woman s soul in darkness because of a short 
 lack of time, would you, Padre President? " 
 
 " I would work for the holy church, senorita." 
 The Father s face had grown dark, " The Senor 
 Governor, he sent thee to the Mission, seiiorita? " 
 
 " No ! No ! Padre, by all that is holy I vow." 
 She dropped her head and with her right hand 
 made the sign of the cross. 
 
 " Holy Father, you would give Marta a 
 chance? I vow to teach her the holy faith, to
 
 PAJARITA VISITS 105 
 
 love the church and to come to mass, confession, 
 and holy communion; often will I come for ad 
 vice if thou wilt only write that the Indian 
 woman, Marta, is to serve me by your order." 
 
 " The Governor what, thinkest thou, he will 
 say? " 
 
 " I shall tell him it is your wish for Marta s 
 salvation, then he will approve." 
 
 For a time nothing was heard but the scratch 
 ing of the quill. The Padre finished writing, 
 sanded the page, then handed the order to the 
 girl. " Sefiorita," he spoke gravely, " I pray thee 
 act circumspectly, and report daily to Padre Ju- 
 posa concerning the woman. The Blessed Vir 
 gin guide thee ! " 
 
 With a deep obeisance Pajarita left him and 
 hurried away to Marta, faithfully waiting be 
 neath the spreading oak.
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 DON JOSE IS WORRIED 
 
 PAJARITA entertained but one desire from the 
 time Don Jose and she had met Marta that morn 
 ing until the exultant moment when the Padre 
 President, in handing to her the scrap of writ 
 ing that consigned Marta to her service, trans 
 formed the desire into an ultimate, victorious 
 reality. She had acted so promptly on her own 
 inclinations that she had had no time to question 
 or reason over possible inconsistencies in her mo 
 tives that might bring about opposition. The 
 one idea that resulted from her success, and im 
 mediately became a conviction, was the over 
 whelming illusion of her own magnanimity. 
 Radiant with success, she entered Don Jose s 
 study, after sending Marta to the servants quar 
 ters. 
 
 Don Jose was intent on some printed matter 
 he was reading and did not look up as Pajarita 
 entered. She waited a moment, then, impatient 
 to pour out her tale, she slipped behind his chair 
 and put her hands before his eyes. He let his 
 papers fall and taking hold of her hands drew 
 her before him. Laughing merrily, she slipped 
 to her knees. 
 
 106
 
 DON JOSfe IS WORRIED 107 
 
 " Pardon me, seiior, but I simply had to gain 
 your attention immediately." 
 
 " Regardless of measures, yes ? " 
 
 "Yes, but were you very busy, daddy-don?" 
 
 " I was." 
 
 " Very good, I am glad you are not now, for 
 I have much to tell you." 
 
 " Ciclo! Then begin right away, seilorita, for 
 my busiest moments await your pleasure." 
 
 " Oh ! Tis gallant of you to give to me the 
 first consideration." She was sparkling with the 
 excitement of her secret, and its influence gave 
 to her a charm that was half impetuosity and 
 half witchery, " But why are you this day so in 
 dustrious? " 
 
 " I am going away after siesta, to be gone sev 
 eral days, so there is little time left to be wasted." 
 He looked at his watch. " It is almost now time 
 for the sleepers to awaken." 
 
 " I am sorry you are going." Pajarita rose 
 to her feet. " I shall miss you very much." 
 
 " I am always glad to know you miss me while 
 away, but you must not be sorry because I go, 
 for my journey is of great importance. When 
 I return we will plan the merienda we spoke of 
 some days since. How will you like that? " 
 
 "Very much. It will be delightful!" Her 
 eyes danced. " Daddy-don, you are wonderful 
 I love you." 
 
 A pleased light shone in his eyes. " How 
 much, Pajarita mia? " 
 
 " Much more than I love any other."
 
 108 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " 8i ? 
 
 "Daddy-don?" 
 
 " What, Pajarita? " 
 
 " Why do you love me? " 
 
 " Why? " He laughed lightly. " What makes 
 you think that I do? " 
 
 " I do not think, I know ; but I have wondered 
 why you should." 
 
 " You take much for granted, nina, si? " 
 
 " No, daddy-don, I know the truth. But you 
 you have not found out why, because you have 
 been too busy. Now I will tell you. In doing 
 for me, when there was no one else to do any 
 thing, you sought only to find good. Continu 
 ally seeking good usually ends in finding good. 
 I know you love me because of this and because 
 you are always trying to make me happy. Is 
 that not so?" 
 
 " Perhaps, who knows? However, we do know 
 that it is a very good thing to be happy, but a 
 better thing to make others happy." 
 
 " Very well I know that from to-day s experi 
 ence. I believe I have succeeded this day in 
 making another feel happier." 
 
 " Yes? I am anxious to hear who that person 
 is, Pajarita." 
 
 " Marta, and consequently Pajarita," laugh 
 ingly. 
 
 "A very good deed you have done then, if, 
 through your influence, Marta has returned to 
 the Mission in good faith." 
 
 The girl s expression changed, " No, not that !
 
 DON JOSE IS WORRIED 109 
 
 Something better. Here," she handed Don Jose 
 the Padre President s letter, " read this it will 
 explain all." 
 
 Don Jose began to read. A peaceful silence 
 filled the little room. Pajarita s face still wore 
 the bright expression that it had carried from 
 the Mission. She stood at Don Jose s side watch 
 ing his face. He finished his reading, then re 
 read it carefully. Pajarita could not know that 
 he was trying to gain time to master an under 
 current of emotion that threatened to overcome 
 him. She put her hand on his sleeve. " What 
 think you about it, daddy? " When he remained 
 silent, after she had repeated her question, she 
 began to wonder. She searched his face. Its 
 expression alarmed her. Instantly she knew she 
 had wounded him. Yet she could not guess how 
 she had done so. She slipped to her knees be 
 fore him. " Daddy, daddy-don, you are not dis 
 pleased? I thought " 
 
 He slowly turned his eyes to hers. " You 
 mean, Pajarita, that you planned. It is a shock 
 to know how subtle you are. I could not have 
 believed it." 
 
 Dazed, she did not seem to comprehend. 
 " I , I do not understand." 
 
 " That is strange, when you have shown such 
 cleverness." 
 
 "Cleverness? Oh, please won t you tell me 
 what you mean? " 
 
 His critical eyes made her shudder. " Your 
 little play, Pajarita, was cleverness personified,
 
 110 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 but that cleverness I do not admire, for I loathe 
 hypocrisy." 
 
 Desperately she attempted to justify her act, 
 but stumbled miserably. 
 
 " It is a despicable subterfuge to resort to justi 
 fication." He was so cold, she again shuddered. 
 
 " You do not understand, truly you do not ! " 
 
 " I think I do, Pajarita." He got to his feet 
 and paced the floor back and forth several times, 
 then stopped before her. " It is you who do not 
 understand. You have been led by merely a self 
 ish whim. Prompted by selfishness and guided 
 by deceit, you have gained your end. However, 
 the end does not always justify the means, as you 
 will no doubt learn." As if to verify his state 
 ment a hurried knocking at the inner door of his 
 study interrupted him. Without waiting for an 
 answer to her knocking Senora Sofia, with very 
 flushed and rigid face, entered. Her excited 
 mutterings made her almost inarticulate. 
 
 " Brother, what means the presence of that 
 heathen Indian woman in our casa?" 
 
 Don Jos6 had walked to the grating. He 
 seemed to have riveted his attention on something 
 outside the room. This inattention exasperated 
 his sister. She repeated her question. 
 
 Don Jose turned with uplifted brows. " Sis 
 ter, you are very indefinite in your question. As 
 you know, there are many heathen Indian 
 women; how should I know the particular one 
 to whom you refer? " 
 
 " There is only one to whom I would refer, and
 
 DON JOSE IS WORRIED 111 
 
 I would have you know, brother mio, that Marta 
 shall not stay in this house." 
 
 " Caramba! Such independence of speech 
 might fittingly come from our queen s own 
 tongue." 
 
 He curled his mustache slowly and walked 
 the length of the room while the woman stormed. 
 
 " Speak you of our own just queen in the same 
 breath with a heathen, a sinner? Dios! A vile 
 murderer she is! An unholy spell she has cast 
 about. Already the servants crowd about her, 
 whispering ! " 
 
 " Be charitable, sister, the spell cast upon her 
 might be holy, and her reformation begun." 
 
 " Saints in Heaven, are you mad? The woman 
 must go. What think you the holy Padre Presi 
 dent would say if he knew you housed a fugitive 
 from the holy law? " 
 
 " Gielo, senora ! Tis by the Padre s own order 
 the woman is here! What say you now? " 
 
 She stepped forward quickly with open mouth, 
 then, closing it, she stood rigid. Slowly her eyes 
 studied her brother s face. 
 
 " W T hat proof have I of the truth? " 
 
 Don Jose walked to the table, picked up the 
 President s note, and, slowly unfolding it, read 
 it aloud. The woman changed color. Without 
 a word she turned her eyes on Pajarita, stared at 
 her for a second, then abruptly left the room. 
 
 Donna Sofia left a tense stillness in the study 
 as she closed the door behind her. Don Jose 
 went to the table and began arranging some
 
 112 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 papers that were scattered about. His silence 
 was mingled with an austerity so evident 
 that Pajarita feared to speak. She was amazed 
 at the attitude Don Jose had taken with his 
 sister. Pajarita could not understand why, 
 when he was so vexed with her before his sister s 
 appearance, he should almost instantly change 
 and appear in a different mood in Sofia s pres 
 ence. It seemed almost as if Don Jose feared his 
 sister s wrath. This thought annoyed Pajarita. 
 In her present state of mind she was willing 
 to judge even unjustly. Her whole being 
 throbbed with resentment at Don Jose s anger 
 with her; his apparent peace with Donna Sofia; 
 his quietness now ; and her own frame of mind. 
 
 If Pajarita had hurried to him when the door 
 closed behind Sofia, and begged forgiveness with 
 all the impulsiveness of her nature, all would 
 have been well between them, but her resentment 
 made her hesitate too long. The major-domo 
 came to the open doorway to remind his master 
 that time was flying, and that the saddled horses 
 awaited his convenience at the gate. This inter 
 ruption lost Pajarita her chance. Don Jose s 
 mind was now fully occupied with weightier af 
 fairs. He took the sombrero and serape the 
 criddo held out for hiiri and hurried to the door 
 way. There he turned and spoke to Pajarita. 
 
 " Pajarita mia, forget what has happened ! 
 Try to find some diversion that will cheer you. 
 The past has gone and now we must think of the 
 future. For that reason, I would have you make
 
 DON JOSE IS WORRIED 113 
 
 your peace with Senora Sofia. I shall be away, 
 perhaps, two or three days. Now nina mi&, 
 hasta luego! " 
 
 The gentleness in his tones made the tears 
 spring into Pajarita s eyes. The domo inter 
 rupted again and Don Jose left the room with 
 out giving Pajarita time to say a word. 
 
 At the gate the criado assisted Don Jose to 
 the saddle. Together they rode away. When 
 they reached the Mission the horses were steam 
 ing. Don Jose threw his reins to the criado and 
 went directly to the Padre President s study. 
 The Padre welcomed him cordially and imme 
 diately ordered refreshments. 
 
 " No, no ! Good Padre, I have but a moment 
 to spend with you, for a long ride I must take 
 ere darkness falls." 
 
 " Si! Thou art beginning late, senor, for a long 
 journey. Would it not be wiser to rest at the 
 Mission this night and make an early start on the, 
 morrow? " 
 
 " No, Padre, for I cannot spare the lost time. 
 Urgent matters call, otherwise I should have put 
 the journey off for another day. When I return, 
 Padre, I would have a conference with you con 
 cerning this very subject. Now I came to speak 
 of a a mere trifling affair a tis a ques 
 tion I wish to ask you. Padre, I have been puz 
 zled to know just why you gave the Indian 
 woman into Senorita Pajarita s keeping without 
 first consulting me? " 
 
 The Padre President did not answer for some
 
 114 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 time. Puckering his mouth until his chin resem 
 bled a withered apple, and pulling the lobe of his 
 ear as if to gain from it some information, he 
 studied the Governor thoughtfully before he 
 spoke. 
 
 " Why, Senor Governor, didst thou give the 
 child Pajarita a home in thy casa before consult 
 ing the Senora Sofia? No, no! Do not get dis 
 turbed. Be seated! I merely wished to sug 
 gest," the Padre s eyes seemed merry, " that 
 possibly it was not your intention to do so, 
 but" 
 
 Don Jose" laughed. " I understand ! I was 
 carried away with the child s persist " 
 
 " Ah perhaps ! However, I should not use 
 exactly that word, but that is neither here nor 
 there. Senorita Pajarita has a convincing a 
 well, let us say," the old man tossed his hands 
 out before him. " She had her own way in both 
 instances! Why? " He shrugged his shoulders. 
 " That is not of consequence either ! The only 
 thing that does bear significance is Senora 
 Sofia s attitude? " 
 
 " Well, I must say, Padre President, it is not 
 one of docility, that is not just now ! How 
 ever, Sofia always sees things in a very sensible 
 manner." 
 
 " Hum ! Just so just so ! I shall call on 
 Seiiora Sofia very soon." 
 
 " One thought has troubled me greatly, Padre. 
 Think you Pajarita would be deceitful? I have
 
 DON JOSE IS WORRIED 115 
 
 never thought her so before, and like not to think 
 so now." 
 
 " Think not so now, senor ! The senorita 
 acted on impulse nothing more! She is as 
 filled with truth as the dawn is with light, or the 
 night is with dew. Her impulsiveness was God s 
 opportunity whereby to save a human soul." 
 
 An Indian servant entered with a tray. A 
 smile parted the Padre s thin lips. " Bueno! 
 Now, senor, a little refreshment before thy de 
 parture." He lifted a long necked bottle from 
 the tray and poured the rare old madeira into 
 two glasses. "" Amigo bueno, may the peace that 
 cometh from a heavenly Father encircle thee and 
 thine. Drink ! " 
 
 It was a rare treat so rare as to indicate the 
 honor intended by the host. 
 
 After appreciative farewells Don Jose rode 
 away from the Mission with a lighter heart. He 
 smiled as he thought of what the good Padre 
 had said. Of course he understood, now, why 
 the Padre had given the order that placed Marta 
 in Pajarita s care. Don Jose s heart thrilled 
 pleasantly as he thought of Pajarita, and he 
 hoped she would always win her own way from 
 the world as easily as she could and did win it 
 from him and the venerable Padre President 
 men the Californias believed severe and unyield 
 ing in judgment and decision. Don Jose thought 
 she could, as a rule, but, even now, Donna Sofia 
 was an exception, and as is often the case, there
 
 116 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 are as many exceptions as there are rules in this 
 mutable life. 
 
 Don Jose s memory of his sister lingered with 
 him. She was devoted to him, he knew, and he 
 was very fond of her. There were times when 
 he could not understand her. Her prejudice and 
 unyielding attitude toward Pajarita bothered 
 him. Yet he felt quite convinced that Sofia 
 meant to do her best for the girl. Many times he 
 had thoughtlessly, in Pajarita s interest, in 
 fringed on Sofia s acknowledged domain, and be 
 cause of this it would take Sofia some time to 
 overlook the fancied injustice. However, often 
 had he tried, as in the study that day, to soothe, 
 while trying to reason with her. Don Jose 
 firmly believed that a time would come when 
 Sofia would openly acknowlege an affection for 
 Pajarita, for how indeed could she help doing 
 so? In the past he had often asked himself this 
 question. His mind went back in retrospection 
 to the time when her youth bright, thoughtless, 
 happy youth had entered their home, to change 
 many hard and worn habits, as it were, in a 
 twinkling of an eye. The change of customs had 
 brought also a change of thought, and, with all, 
 an atmosphere of youthful glee and brightness 
 the home had never held before. 
 
 He was anxious to hurry through his journey 
 and again be at home. Don Jose did not know 
 that his anxiety to return home indicated the 
 greatest change that had taken place in the last 
 two years. There had been a time when Don
 
 DON JOSE IS WORRIED 117 
 
 Jose could not mingle thoughts of business with 
 home interests. In fact, there had been nothing 
 of consequence to him but his governorship the 
 promotion of the Californias but now, even 
 with a mission at hand such as he was now un 
 dertaking, he could lay them aside for a moment s 
 retrospection. 
 
 This journey was of vital interest to Don Jose. 
 It would mean to him, if he could accom 
 plish his aim, the beginning of a project that he 
 had dreamed, planned, and labored over with all 
 the energy of his being. This project was still 
 his secret and would be until every stone had 
 been turned to assure its success. He had hinted 
 to the Padre President that there was something 
 pending his cooperation something they would 
 discuss after his return, but Don Jose s plans 
 would be laid, his decisions would be final, and 
 preparations ready to be put into action when, 
 that discussion took place. 
 
 The Rancho Del Cuadro was reached just as 
 darkness began to fall. The night was spent 
 there. The next morning, after a hearty break 
 fast, Don Jose with several neophytes accom 
 panying him, left the rancho for the timber. It 
 was a delight to Don Jose this ride over the 
 mountain side; over trails so thickly carpeted 
 with ferns, moss and fallen leaves, for centuries 
 undisturbed, that they were as a velvet rug be 
 neath the feet. The morning was crisp and 
 clear, and, as they climbed higher, Don Jose s 
 face tingled with the bracing mountain air. His
 
 118 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 enjoyment increased. The tang of resinous 
 odors came to his nostrils as he penetrated the 
 steep slopes covered with a dense forest. The 
 trail, lost under the masses of undergrowth, had 
 to be traced by the neophytes, who, with bent 
 heads and shoulders and arms outstretched to 
 protect themselves from whipping boughs, 
 plodded ahead. 
 
 Great veils of intertwined tree-moss made 
 draperies over treetops, giving them the appear 
 ance of nuns. Ancient pines spread crisp 
 plumes that varied in shades of green from the 
 darkest hue to the bright dye of new-born tips. 
 There were giant red-woods growing apart in 
 clannish pride ; aged spruce shrouded in clinging 
 moss; gnarled oak, withered, yet enduring; and 
 unkempt cypress. These, and other types less 
 familiar, made a grove so deep, so weird, so ap 
 parently unfathomable, that Nature herself must 
 have reveled unmolested in its depths and gloried 
 in her handiwork. 
 
 Don Jose responded to the wonders. He noted 
 the odors the mingled scents of resinous saps ; 
 the pungent breath of moss, and fume of rotted 
 herbage ; the faint subtle perfume of wild flowers 
 and fruit. All mingled in a wonderful wood 
 aroma, steeping his senses in delight. Lights 
 and shades and varying tints, here, at highest 
 sun, spelled weird enchantment. Shadows soft 
 ened, and tints brightened under the noontide 
 glow. Echoes from footsteps or broken boughs, 
 the flutter of leaves, the whispers of living things,
 
 DON JOSE IS WORRIED 119 
 
 the thrills of feathered tribes all seemed far 
 clearer and sweeter. 
 
 The marvelous wonders of Divine wisdom were 
 here expressed in freedom unconfined, beauty un 
 surpassed, abundance unlimited, and simplicity 
 unalloyed. What a pity it would be to mar this 
 little world! To deface it by human invasion! 
 Yet man had never lost an opportunity since his 
 creation " to subdue and have dominion over all 
 things that groweth and moveth upon the earth." 
 As Don Jose rested on the bank of the spring- 
 fed stream in the heart of the hills he thought 
 deep thoughts. He was a son an heir of 
 Adam of the first man. His birthright was 
 to subdue and have dominion, and, because of 
 that, he had traveled to this grove this wonder 
 ful evidence of the Creator s bounty. 
 
 Before him rose visions of stately ships masts 
 born of this majestic forest; visions of a noble 
 fleet guarding well the gateway of their paradise 
 the wonderful Californias. In this thought 
 lay the motive for Don Jose s visit to the woods. 
 He found rich material for new dreams. 
 
 It was evening when they returned to the 
 rancho. The next morning very early Don Jos6 
 and his criado began their journey homeward. 
 Don Jose rode very hard, for within him was an 
 impatience to reach the Presidio before high 
 noon. The angelus was resounding as he reined 
 in his horse at the Mission buildings. He would 
 have a word with the Padre President before 
 continuing his journey to the Presidio.
 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 
 THOUGHTS AND MISGIVINGS 
 
 PAJARITA stood before the grating in Don 
 Jose s study watching him and his attendant as 
 they went from sight. She had not moved since 
 Don Jose had last spoken to her before he left. 
 Slowly a deep resentfulness rose within her. 
 Never before during her life in Don Jose s home 
 had she felt unkindly toward her benefactor. 
 But now within her was a growing bitterness. 
 She burned with an inward rage at what she 
 deemed was an injustice. She had not thought 
 of deceiving any one and as for attempting 
 cleverness and and self -justification her 
 cheeks burned. She turned abruptly from the 
 opening and left the room. Meeting an Indian 
 girl in another apartment she bade her tell Marta 
 to come to her. 
 
 Entering her own room, Pajarita walked the 
 floor. The whole miserable scene repeated itself 
 over and over again in her troubled mind. 
 Marta knocked and Pajarita called to her to 
 come in. The woman stood with her back to the 
 closed door, silently watching the girl. Brush 
 ing her tumbling hair from her forehead with an 
 impatient gesture, Pajarita dropped into a seat. 
 
 " Marta," her voice was intentionally stern, 
 
 120
 
 THOUGHTS 121 
 
 "you are to serve no one but me, understand? " 
 
 " Si, senorita." Very low. 
 
 " You are never, understand, never to carry 
 tales to Seuora Sofia. You are to do exactly as 
 I wish you to do, and not to speak of me to an 
 other. Understand? " 
 
 " Si, senorita," Hardly audible her tone. 
 
 " Speak louder, when you answer, Marta. 
 Bueno! Now take out those drawers and re 
 arrange the contents." 
 
 The woman went to the chest of drawers and 
 began taking out tumbled heaps of clothing. 
 Pajarita went to the grating, but she was rest 
 less. Going to the toilet-stand, she called the 
 woman. " Marta, you must clear this table ; put 
 the brushes away ! " 
 
 The woman let fall the bundle she was hold 
 ing and went to do the second bidding. Pajarita 
 again went to the grating. Her head throbbed 
 miserably. Turning impatiently she seated her 
 self at the table. 
 
 " Marta, never mind the task now ; brush 
 my hair!" Marta carefully let dow r n the 
 tumbled curls and began brushing with curious 
 pride. 
 
 " There there ! " Pajarita stopped her. 
 " The brushing annoys me. Get my perfume 
 from the table and bathe my forehead ! " Gently 
 the heated head was soothed with cologne. 
 Marta was receiving her first lesson as lady s 
 maid, but she understood with rare intuition 
 that the rest would come easier.
 
 122 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 It was after the time for drill when Marta 
 finished Pajarita s toilet, and Pajarita had just 
 time to go to dinner. She did not care to eat, 
 but she did not want to keep Donna Sofia wait 
 ing, nor displease her by staying away. The 
 meal was a silent one. Pajarita was glad when 
 it was over. She went to her room and tried to 
 overcome her restlessness, but it grew until she 
 felt she must give vent to her feelings. When 
 the evening shadows fell Pajarita wrapped a 
 light mantilla about her shoulders and, calling 
 Marta to follow her, went through the servants 
 entrance at the rear, and was soon at the water s 
 edge. 
 
 The cool, salt breeze wafting inland from the 
 sea filled her with a strange exhilaration. The 
 sporting surf that, flattening only to gather 
 strength to dash against the stubborn rocks, or, 
 where the way was clear, to bound over the 
 stretch of beach in dancing frolic, made her heart 
 leap with delight. Her restlessness floated away 
 like the foam that flew from the breakers. 
 Seated as closely as possible to the incoming tide, 
 Pajarita watched the water with a fascination 
 that made her unmindful of all else. She had 
 forgotten the woman at her side, and, had not 
 Marta moved, her silence might have lasted in 
 definitely. 
 
 " Marta " Pajarita s chin rested in her 
 hand and her eyes were far away over the water. 
 " Have you ever noticed how often this great 
 sea changes her costumes? She is very vain!
 
 THOUGHTS 123 
 
 Have you noticed her just as Dawn shows his 
 head in the east, how she greets him in opalescent 
 splendor, the faint tints of pink mingling with 
 blues and greens until their beauty makes you 
 speechless with delight? Then, when the Sun 
 appears in his refulgence, her gown changes to 
 a sapphire so rich and dazzling it rivals the clear 
 deep azure of the sky above. Then, Marta, at 
 evening look at her now have you ever seen 
 a more bewitching robe? Draped over the rich 
 velvet of darkest blue is a glistening silver, 
 sprinkled over with tiny gems. And her man 
 tilla! How modest is this great sea when the 
 moon strolls over the heavens. Ah ! He is her 
 lover, and, as he winks at her in his roguish, lov 
 ing way, she draws her filmy rebosa of mist before 
 her face, but she laughs all the while, for she is 
 happy. But, Marta, when the moon fails to 
 show his face, as often happens, the sea s gown 
 is changed to a mourning hue, and she weeps 
 and sighs until he comes again." 
 
 It was growing late, and Marta moved rest 
 lessly. Pajarita realized that she had been 
 dreaming aloud. She rose to her feet. 
 
 " Come, Marta, I have given you a long walk, 
 and a long talk, and kept you from sleep but, 
 it will not harm you. Wait! Listen to the 
 waves. The sea is happy to-night for the moon 
 is near. Oh ! I love the great tide and the tum 
 bling, dashing waves. They are happy. Listen ! 
 You can tell they are laughing." 
 
 Marta could not understand such foolish chat-
 
 124 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 ter. She was weary and sleepy, and wished her 
 mistress would return. 
 
 "We will go now, but wait you must not 
 speak of this night to any one, understand? " 
 
 Marta muttered. 
 
 "Marta, I have lost favor at the casa that I 
 might have you with me ; now you must be faith 
 ful?" 
 
 " Si, senorita." 
 
 Unfastening a clasp at the back of her neck, 
 Pajarita slipped a light chain with a golden 
 cross attached into Marta s hand. The woman 
 seemed to lose her breath. She fell to her knees 
 and kissed the edge of Pajarita s gown. 
 
 " It has been blessed, Marta. I give it to you 
 that you may be faithful to me, and loyal to the 
 holy truth." 
 
 Pajarita knew she had gained a faithful serv 
 ant, but not until later did she know that she 
 had gained a devoted slave. The gift was sim 
 ple, but to this Indian woman it was the key to a 
 sealed heart. 
 
 Lights beamed from the Presidio casas as the 
 two slipped through the entrance into the patio. 
 Senora Sofia had been spending the evening with 
 the Comandante s family and had not returned, 
 so Pajarita s absence had not been detected. 
 After her prayers had been said, and she was 
 tucked snugly into bed, Pajarita reviewed the 
 events of the day. Quickly she acknowledged 
 her own mistakes, and tears came to her closed 
 eyes. Daddy-don had been right; she had been,
 
 THOUGHTS 125 
 
 selfish, and had tried to justify her indulgence. 
 This had brought certain elements of annoyance 
 to her beloved guardian and Donna Sofia. The 
 thought troubled her. She had also been deceit 
 ful the unconsciousness of it at the time did 
 not alter the fact that in her heart she had cher 
 ished the evil. She slipped out of bed, went to 
 the prie-dieu and knelt before the shrine.
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 SIR VANCOUVER VISITS MONTEREY 
 
 DONNA SOFIA was in the long, cool pantry, 
 stowing away a supply of dainties she had just 
 finished making, when a report from one of the 
 cannons caused her to start so suddenly that a 
 dish of dulces fell from her hands to the floor. 
 The unexpected noise left her nerves tingling for 
 some time after all was quiet, but this was as 
 nothing compared to the destruction of her fa 
 vorite sweets. These represented hours of care 
 ful labor, and the waste made her shudder. She 
 seated herself on a small bench beside a table and 
 viewed the destruction with disgust. She forgot 
 to question the reason why such an unexpected 
 and violent report should come to disturb the 
 peaceful hours. Her thoughts were centered on 
 the broken bits that flecked the floor. Donna 
 Sofia s pride in her dulces was great. There 
 were none in the Presidio who could compare 
 with her in the execution of this art. Her dulces 
 were fluffier, finer and altogether more delicious. 
 Donna Sofia was not a woman of little pur 
 poses. Had she lived in a later, or an earlier 
 age, when women with strong characteristics 
 had ambitions, she would, no doubt, have done 
 her part in making epochs for history s pages. 
 
 126
 
 SIR VANCOUVER 127 
 
 But Sofia lived in an Arcadia of indolence where 
 the Spanish women, when not occupied with 
 rearing a growing generation for the Californias, 
 were all enjoying amply endowed sinecures. 
 
 With Donna Sofia there was no half-way mark. 
 If her nature demanded physical energy, and that 
 energy exceeded no greater expression than mak 
 ing dulces, she, at least, excelled in whatever she 
 undertook. Her life had been luxurious, but not 
 indolent. Her physical being was bound to 
 gether by too strong a mental discipline to per 
 mit of inactivity except when applied by rule. 
 There was a time for siesta, as there was a time 
 for home management and social leadership. 
 
 Donna Sofia had been highly wrought for two 
 days, so the cannon s report was but the proverb 
 ial straw that broke the camel s back. Since 
 leaving Don Jose s study the day before, she 
 had kept her verbal silence, but her mind had 
 cried aloud within her. She was biding her op 
 portunity. Well she knew that it would come. 
 The time had flown more quickly than she real 
 ized, while she sat regretting her spilled dainties. 
 She rang a small bell. Immediately an Indian 
 girl answered the call. Sofia bade her clear the 
 floor. The little maid, with covetous eyes, had 
 watched her mistress mold these dainties earlier 
 in the day and now to see them scattered broad 
 cast made her gape in astonishment. Sofia or 
 dered her to her duties. Carefully the girl gath 
 ered the pieces together, for here before her was 
 an opportunity that seldom fell her way. Rarely
 
 128 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 had she a chance to relish these delicacies. 
 When the pantry door opened and Senorita 
 Marie peeped in with a good morning and a smile 
 for Sofia, the maid seized the moment to cram 
 her blouse with the bits. 
 
 Sofia forgot the maid for the moment in her 
 pleasure at seeing Marie. She loved this girl. 
 To Sofia, Marie was indeed a flower of Spain. 
 Sofia would have gloried in such a daughter had 
 she been given that privilege ; however, there was 
 joy for her in the hope of having Marie for a 
 sister. And, although Don Jose s marriage to 
 Senorita Marie seemed nearer consummation 
 two years ago than now, still Sofia schemed for 
 it. 
 
 Sofia unfastened her apron and left the pantry 
 with Marie. In the sola, Sofia told Marie about 
 the mishap, even before she mentioned its cause. 
 
 " I came with great news, Senora Sofia. An 
 English frigate has anchored in the bay." 
 
 " The saints protect us ! " gasped the aston 
 ished Sofia, " Then it was the beach cannon 
 that wrecked my dulces. What a pity it is that 
 the Governor is not here." 
 
 "Si, senora. It is a pity! But, what think 
 you the ship brought? " 
 
 " Trouble, no doubt, if the crew are allowed 
 to land. Would that Don Jose were here ! " 
 
 "Not so, senora. Father forbade a salute 
 of welcome. But a small boat was lowered and 
 rowed to the beach. Whom think you it brought 
 to us? My brother, Don Charles. When father
 
 SIR VANCOUVER 129 
 
 looked into the face of his son, his joy overcame 
 him, and he wept on his shoulder." 
 
 "Senorita! You say Don Charles is here?" 
 
 " None other ! He was in Mexico, where he 
 went from here, and when Vancouver, the great 
 English navigator, spoke his intention of com 
 ing to Monterey, Charles heard, and asked per 
 mission to accompany him. This request was 
 granted. Charles begged father, in return, to 
 permit the frigate to anchor here and to extend 
 hospitality to the officers and crew; so a salute 
 of welcome was sent over the water. Twas, in 
 deed, that noise that startled you." 
 
 Donna Sofia was puzzled. She knew how her 
 brother felt about permitting foreign boats to 
 land, and this worried her. She could under 
 stand how the Comandante would feel under the 
 circumstances, but Here her thoughts were 
 interrupted by Marie. 
 
 " Mother and father sent me to you that you 
 might share their joy. The officers of the frigate 
 will banquet at our casa this day. You and Pa- 
 jarita and Padre President and Captain Sol and 
 his sister Angelica are to share the feast and 
 meet the honored guests." 
 
 Sofia did not answer at once. She seemed lost 
 in thought. Marie rose to her feet. " I am now 
 going for Angelica. She came with me. When 
 I came to you she went to the patio to find Pa- 
 jarita." 
 
 Seiiora Sofia rose also, and arm-in-arm they 
 walked through the rooms to the patio. " Carry
 
 130 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 my love to your good parents. Tell them the 
 honor they have bestowed on our casa gives me 
 great joy, and tis with deep regret that I am 
 obliged to decline their invitation." 
 
 " Senora, you decline ! Is it because of our be 
 loved Governor s absence? " 
 
 " Partly, Marie, for I am loath to accept 
 pleasure while he is absent; however, another 
 reason prevents me. Of this I cannot speak, for 
 it concerns another." 
 
 Marie kissed Sofia s cheeks. " Dear friend, I 
 am grieved and mother and father will have less 
 joy in our celebration for your absence." 
 
 " Not so, Marie ! Your parents happiness is 
 now complete. Carry my love to them and tell 
 them Senora Sofia rejoices with them." 
 
 Angelica and Pajarita were sitting on the 
 fountain s rim with arms about each other. 
 They were talking excitedly. Angelica s pretty 
 face was flushed and Pajarita s eyes were wide 
 open with wonder. When Sofia and Marie 
 joined them Pajarita jumped to her feet. 
 
 " Oh ! Donna Sofia. Heard you the news? " 
 
 " I have heard ! " 
 
 " Will it not be wonderful to have so much 
 happen in one day? Angelica has just told me 
 we are to dine at the Comandante s with the 
 officers of the frigate. Cielo! what joy. I can 
 hardly wait ! " 
 
 " Calm yourself, Pajarita. We are not going 
 to dine at the Comandante s ! " 
 
 " But, senora why? "
 
 SIR VANCOUVER 131 
 
 Angelica rose to her feet. " Senora ! " 
 
 Sofia lifted her hand to silence her. " I re 
 gret very much that Pajarita and I cannot go. 
 Marie, tell your mother I am her faithful friend 
 and would serve her with joy, but am compelled 
 to sacrifice our pleasure for a future time." 
 She turned and went into the house. 
 
 Pajarita seated herself on the rim of the basin 
 again. Her buoyancy had gone. She tumbled 
 the gravel about with the toe of her slipper. 
 Her eyes were downcast and her forefinger 
 pressed her lips to keep back the rising sobs. 
 Marie and Angelica seated themselves near her. 
 Angelica wound her arms about Pajarita. 
 
 " I am in despair, Pajarita ! Could you not 
 alter her mood? " 
 
 Pajarita shook her head. 
 
 Angelica turned to Marie. " Know you the 
 reason, Marie? " 
 
 Marie was indifferent. " Tis partly because 
 of the absence of Don Jose. The other reason 
 she did not vouchsafe. I must go ! I am sorry, 
 too, Pajarita, but you will attend the ball this 
 evening, and for that joy you can bear this disap 
 pointment." 
 
 " Si, si, Pajarita ! " Angelica hugged her tight. 
 " It will be wonderful. Wait, Marie ! I will ac 
 company you ! Pajarita, cheer yourself, for the 
 dinner will be nothing compared with the ball. 
 The very idea makes my heart throb." 
 
 Pajarita lost her dejection. 
 
 Angelica continued in an excited voice. " Pa-
 
 132 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 jarita mia, it will be grand, indeed. I feel sure 
 the officers are gallant, and handsome beyond re 
 proach, and as for Don Charles, a handsomer 
 caballero could not be found. Is it not the truth, 
 Marie? " 
 
 " Don Charles is my brother ; therefore, you 
 must be the judge, but the strangers how know 
 you of their looks? " 
 
 " Mother of my soul, Marie ! " retorted the un 
 abashed Angelica. " You forget it was but two 
 years since an English frigate brought officers 
 to our Presidio. Were they not all handsome 
 and gallant? But Pa jarita can judge for her 
 self. What gown will you wear, Pajarita? I 
 shall wear my scarlet silk with the black lace 
 flounces." 
 
 " I know not, Angelica. I have nothing fine, 
 such as you will wear." 
 
 Marie had reseated herself. She looked at Pa 
 jarita with deep mischief in her wonderful eyes. 
 " Pajarita no doubt has the costume she wore on 
 her arrival in the Calif o rnias ?" There was a 
 smile about her lips. 
 
 Pajarita s astonishment shone in her eyes. 
 She pondered a moment then said shyly 
 " Yes ! Would you have me lend it to you for 
 the ball? " 
 
 " Clelo, no ! But I wondered if you would 
 dare appear in it? " There was challenge in her 
 tone. 
 
 " I would dare, Marie, if I should care to wear 
 it."
 
 SIR VANCOUVER 133 
 
 Marie waved her fan in a flippant way. She 
 spoke indifferently. " As you will. It won you 
 some hearts," she taunted. " Perchance who 
 knows it might win you others." 
 
 Pajarita s eyes flashed. " Senorita Marie, the 
 hearts I care for most I have already won, and 
 if I attend the ball twill not be in hunter s 
 garb." 
 
 " Dios! A temper you have, Pajarita. How 
 ever, in any case, I wager you would die before 
 wearing your boy s garb to the ball." 
 
 " I am not so anxious to be in purgatory, 
 Marie. I should wear the clothes as willingly 
 now as when I came, were it as necessary. But 
 tis a conundrum you propose. Why should I do 
 the clown at your ball for your pleasure? " 
 
 Marie laughed tantalizingly. " Tis as I 
 thought. You would lose your soul before you 
 would risk your beauty again in such an un 
 gainly attire. I wager you would ! " 
 
 Angelica spoke impatiently. " Fie, Marie. 
 The devil is in you. You yourself would not risk 
 your beauty in any way. Why annoy Paja 
 rita?" 
 
 " If you would know, seuorita, though it be 
 none of your affair twas for nothing more 
 than to prove Pajarita s spirit." 
 
 Angelica s pretty nose curled upward. " Pa 
 jarita has proved her spirit. You, Marie, have 
 not!" 
 
 " Angelica ! " Pajarita interposed. " Why all 
 this foolishness? Marie has good courage, that
 
 134 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 I know, but I do not wish to prove mine in this 
 way." 
 
 Marie s eyes flashed. " Ah, Pajarita, timidity 
 never lacks subterfuge." 
 
 " I never gamble ! " Pajarita answered. " Tis 
 the Spaniard s pastime." 
 
 " It is the level head that wins at any game, 
 Pajarita. There are those who recognize their 
 weakness and shun temptation." 
 
 " Tis a wise head, Senorita Marie, that knows 
 its tempter." 
 
 Angelica interrupted. "Ah, such useless 
 prattle ! I should like to talk about the ball, and 
 the gowns. There is sense and pleasure in that ! 
 Pajarita, you recall the foamy, green silk I had 
 new a fortnight since? Will you wear it, and 
 give me great happiness? " 
 
 " I love you as a dear friend, Angelica." Pa 
 jarita put her arm around the girl. " But, I 
 have a very pretty white gown that daddy-don 
 admires." 
 
 " Tis true, Pajarita. White suits you well ! " 
 
 Marie did not deign an opinion. Kising, she 
 walked to a rose vine, broke off a lovely bud and 
 tucked it into her waist. 
 
 " Angelica, I cannot wait for you longer ! Pa 
 jarita, adios! I am grieved that you cannot at 
 tend the feast, but good cheer awaits you this 
 evening, regardless the costume, for you are 
 charming in anything." Smiling sweetly, she en 
 tered the casa. 
 
 Angelica kissed Pajarita. " Adios, dear friend,
 
 SIR VANCOUVER 135 
 
 my heart is all aflutter with the prospects of 
 this day s events, and, Pajarita, you should see 
 Don Charles. He is indeed " 
 
 " Never mind, Angelica, I can see what makes 
 your heart flutter." 
 
 Laughing and pulling her mantilla over her 
 flushed face Angelica ran after Marie, waving a 
 hand at Pajarita. 
 
 Pajarita stood still and thought of Marie s 
 last sentence. She wondered that Marie should 
 tempt her with such a suggestion. Marie was 
 always puzzling Pajarita. Marie would show 
 an evident dislike for her, then display so equally 
 an evident affection that Pajarita could never 
 understand her. There were times when Paja 
 rita could love Marie. She always admired her 
 beauty and dignity. Her courtly ease delighted 
 Pajarita, and she often wished she herself had 
 more of Marie s balance and self-confidence. 
 Marie knew just what she wanted and just what 
 she would do ; she never made mistakes and then 
 regretted, as Pajarita did; she never was con 
 fused and ill-at-ease. Pajarita sighed. How 
 lovely Marie would be that evening! Then her 
 thought leaped forward to the ball, and, forget 
 ting Marie, and the dinner, she tingled with the 
 prospects of the wonderful event. 
 
 Hurrying into the house, she went to her room. 
 Marta was there mending a piece of torn linen. 
 Pajarita knelt before her. " Marta, Marta! Did 
 you hear of the wonderful things that are hap 
 pening? Marta, there is to be a ball this eve-
 
 136 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 ning and I am going! You must see to my 
 toilet! You must make me beautiful this eve 
 ning, for I am going to meet handsome English 
 officers, and Don Charles and ? 
 
 She jumped to her feet and, opening a drawer, 
 took out a dainty, white frock, trimmed in 
 flounces of fine lace. " Marta, I shall wear this ! 
 Press it carefully ! " From different drawers she 
 took out white slippers, with high red heels, silk 
 stockings, dainty, white undergarments, and put 
 them on her bed. Opening a small drawer, Pa- 
 jarita took out a fan and, spreading it wide, 
 waved it before her face. 
 
 " Marta ! do I wave the fan as coquettishly as 
 a Spanish senorita? " 
 
 " No understand ! " solemnly. 
 
 " Oh, Marta, you are so stupid ! Can you not 
 see with your eyes? " 
 
 " Seuorita, no Spanish ! " 
 
 Pajarita opened wide her eyes. " You tor 
 mentor ! " Then she laughed, " Marta, at least 
 you are honest. I know I do not handle a 
 fan as Marie does. I wave it very fast, and 
 Marie look, Marta, she waves it slowly, like 
 this." 
 
 Pajarita was displaying great skill with the 
 exquisite fan when the door opened and Donna 
 Sofia walked into the room. Not one particular 
 of the little scene escaped Sofia s eyes. Paja 
 rita closed the fan quickly and with flushed face 
 offered Sofia a seat. 
 
 Ignoring the offer Donna Sofia went to the bed.
 
 SIR VANCOUVER 137 
 
 " Pajarita, why are these things scattered 
 about here? " 
 
 " I put them there, you see, Marta must have 
 time to press the garments, and the other things 
 are there to be in readiness for this evening." 
 
 Sofia s mouth became a thin, crimson line. 
 
 "Marta!" The Indian immediately dropped 
 her sewing and rose to her feet. Sofia lifted each 
 lovely piece from the bed and placed them on 
 Marta s arm, " Take these to my room ! " 
 
 When the door closed behind Marta, Donna 
 Sofia took the seat Pajarita had offered. 
 
 " Now, Pajarita, I wish to talk to you. You 
 heard me tell Marie that there was a reason why 
 we could not accept the invitation to dine with 
 them ! That same reason will prevent us from 
 attending the ball this evening." 
 
 Pajarita had not taken a seat; she now 
 straightened herself slightly, " Sefiora ! surely 
 you do not mean " 
 
 " Wait ! " Sofia lifted her hand to silence her. 
 " It is only fair to you that I should explain. 
 As you well know, Pajarita, one of the strictest 
 rules in our holy church is the one that exacts 
 penance for wrong doing. You willfully trans 
 gressed the law of obedience when you interfered 
 with the management of this house. I, the mis 
 tress of this household, you ignored and insulted ; 
 the holy Padre you beguiled; and Don Jose you 
 deeply offended ! Now, Pajarita, a chance is not 
 always given to us to offer a noble sacrifice for 
 our sins, but I am giving you this one to re-
 
 138 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 main away from this ball. You may think I am 
 severe, but remember I am foregoing my pleasure 
 in your behalf." 
 
 Pajarita tried to speak, but words failed her. 
 Her face shone as white as the wall against which 
 she leaned. Sofia walked to the door. 
 
 " The hour following siesta the carreta will be 
 ready to take us to the Mission, where you will 
 confess your sins to Padre Juposa. Be prompt, 
 so as not to keep me waiting." Without looking 
 at Pajarita she left the room, closing the door 
 behind her. 
 
 Pajarita dropped into a seat. Marta entered, 
 took her sewing, and in silence continued her 
 work. Time flies in anticipation of pleasure, but 
 disappointment gives it leaden wings. 
 
 Pajarita did not try to think, she had been too 
 stunned. She merely felt, and with that feeling 
 was the half-conscious sense of having been dealt 
 a blow. To the young such things spell tragedy. 
 She roused from her half stupor and a slowly 
 growing determination took possession of her 
 mind. 
 
 When Sofia s maid came for her Pajarita 
 arose, drew her mantilla closely about her face 
 and followed the maid to the gate. In silence 
 Pajarita took her seat in the carreta beside Sofia. 
 From the Presidio to the hill-top Mission the 
 loud protests of clumsy wooden wheels, on ill- 
 fitting axles, the urging of an exasperated driver 
 to clumsy swaggering oxen, were the only inter 
 ruptions in the quiet ride.
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 
 A WELCOME FROM THE PADRE PRESIDENT 
 
 THE report that startled Senora Sofia was a 
 salute sent from the cannon that rested on the 
 brow of the rise edging the beach. This historic 
 old relic was made in Spain in 1600, and weighed 
 1200 pounds. Four hundred pounds of pure sil 
 ver had been molded into its massive frame. 
 This deep-throated sentinel was the Spaniards 
 pride. Its voice was a tribute of welcome, and 
 its silence was an ominous warning to ships that 
 rode into the harbor. 
 
 At dawn a foreign frigate had glided into the 
 bight of the bay and had been sighted by two 
 neophytes, who carried the news to the Padre 
 President. 
 
 The President, accompanied by Padre Juposa, 
 left the Mission for the water s edge as soon as 
 mass was over. The Padre President was very 
 thoughtful as he walked briskly at his compan 
 ion s side. He was reluctant to recognize a 
 power equal to that of the church. The church 
 had been and always would be to him the mighty 
 potentate of the Californias. The Padre Presi 
 dent was peace-loving, humble in spirit, yet un 
 relenting in his point of view. He acknowledged 
 the Governor of the Californias as an equal in 
 
 139
 
 140 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 potent affairs of state; but if there must be a 
 dictator of martial affairs, let him keep his dic 
 tatorial voice silent in matters that did not con 
 cern the militia. The President Padre well knew 
 the noisy Comandante s natural propensity. He 
 was alone in command at the Presidio and the 
 Padre feared for the landing of the crew. The 
 President favored an open gate-way, with reci 
 procity. The Mission had on hand tallow, hides, 
 cereals and other commodities, that could be ex 
 changed for articles the Mission was greatly in 
 need of, and which, the Padre had no doubt, the 
 foreign ship carried with the motive of exchange 
 in mind. 
 
 The Comandante and the Governor agreed in 
 their opinion that reciprocity should be theirs by 
 right, but they understood that a means must be 
 found first to enforce their treaty. The good 
 Padre could not understand just why, when the 
 need was at hand, reciprocity had to wait on the 
 possession of ways and means of enforcing and 
 protecting California s rights before Monterey 
 could throw open her port to foreign travel and 
 commerce. 
 
 With all this in mind the Padre President 
 came to the conclusion that, if the Comandante 
 insisted on asserting his authority in the matter 
 of refusing the frigate s crew to land, the Padre, 
 as the voice of the church, would intercede in be 
 half of the Mission. 
 
 The morning was well spent when the two 
 priests reached the rim of the bay. It was
 
 THE PADRE PRESIDENT 141 
 
 clearly evident that a great excitement possessed 
 the people of Monterey. A moving train of 
 Spaniards and neophytes kept the sands pressed 
 flat between the Presidio and the beach. The 
 militia in full uniform had assembled in splendid 
 array on the sandy beach, and men, women and 
 children stood about with staring eyes and gap 
 ing mouths. 
 
 The Padre President and his companion made 
 their way through the crowd and neared the rest 
 less horses whose riders immediately removed 
 their sombreros. The Comandante dismounted 
 and kissed the Padre s extended hand. 
 
 " Sefior Comandante, know you the colors the 
 frigate floats? " 
 
 " Si, good Padre, England s flag floats from 
 her mast. Take the glass and see for your 
 self." 
 
 The Padre adjusted the glasses to his eyes and 
 scanned the shimmering water until the lens 
 caught the Union Jack that rippled gracefully 
 with the faint wind. Handing the glasses back 
 to the Comandante, the Padre President turned 
 and faced the throng. 
 
 " Children, kneel that we may invoke divine 
 guidance ! " 
 
 The mounted men swung themselves to the 
 sand and dropped to their knees. The stately 
 priest alone stood, and with arms outstretched 
 to the radiant blue above supplicated wisdom. 
 
 The prayer was hardly ended before an excited 
 voice in the throng directed all eyes to a row-
 
 142 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 boat the tossing infant of the mother frigate 
 that was swiftly nearing the shore. Breathlessly 
 all waited for the nearing boat. 
 
 A hearty shout came from the passenger in 
 the boat. Ears were strained to catch the fleet 
 ing words, then a voice from the beach rang 
 out. 
 
 " By all that s holy, he speaks Spanish ! " 
 
 All ears listened eagerly for the stranger s 
 words. 
 
 " Que vivan todos los patriotas de Espana! " 
 came over the water. 
 
 Every heart leaped, and every head grew dizzy 
 with the thrill of emotion. The boat glided in, 
 propelled by two sturdy arms. Distinctly the 
 words were heard : 
 
 " Long live all patriots of Spain ! " 
 
 A shout went up from the throng that echoed 
 far and wide. 
 
 The Comandante and the Father President 
 went closer to the edge of the water. The boat 
 plunged over the last swell and, with the aid of 
 her oars, swung lightly to the beach. A sturdy 
 sailor jumped out and drew in the boat, in which 
 still sat a handsome youth. Eemoving his som 
 brero and lifting it high, he twirled it around 
 his head, as he once more chanted his watch 
 word: 
 
 " Que vivan todos los patriotas de Espana! " 
 
 The Comandante rushed forward. " My son, 
 my beloved son ! " 
 
 The young man leaped from the boat and ran
 
 THE PADRE PRESIDENT 143 
 
 to his father. Tears streamed from the father s 
 eyes as they greeted each other in close em 
 brace. Then quickly questions were asked. 
 Don Charles told them how the English frigate 
 had brought him from Mexico to Monterey; and 
 pleaded with his father to allow the frigate to 
 anchor, and as a return courtesy for the kindness 
 of Sir Vancouver, the Englishman, hospitality be 
 extended his officers and crew. The Padre Presi 
 dent urged the Comandante s acquiescence. 
 There was nothing else for the Comandante to 
 do. Overwhelmed by the surprise and joy of his 
 son s return he gave his consent. It was against 
 his judgment that they should land, as he knew 
 it would be against the Governor s, but, under 
 the circumstances, he could not refuse the cour 
 tesy to them who had accorded so much to his 
 son. He would show discretion later in allowing 
 them no further privileges. 
 
 The Comandante ordered the salute. A sud 
 den and violent volley burst from the cannon s 
 throat, shaking the earth close by and heaving 
 the water. The graceful frigate quivered as it 
 seemed to take a deep breath, then, her motion, 
 scarcely perceptible at first, grew more and more 
 evident to the waiting throng, as she glided 
 closer. 
 
 The musicians began a martial air. The 
 militiamen mounted, unsheathed and extended 
 their glistening sabers. The ship s boats rowed 
 in, filled with the officers of the frigate. The 
 Comandante and the Padre President with great
 
 144 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 dignity greeted them as they stepped on dry 
 land. 
 
 " Tis a sight to cheer the heart, for merriment 
 and a feast will follow the landing," breathed a 
 bystander to his neighbor. 
 
 " Si, friend, what you have said is the truth, 
 but I could wish our Governor were here." 
 
 The throng crowded closer. 
 
 A tall, angular, and sea-bronzed Englishman 
 was the first to drop on his knees before the 
 white-haired priest and kiss his hand. Then, 
 getting to his feet, he saluted the Comandante. 
 
 " Our hearts are overflowing with thanksgiving 
 for this welcome, friends," he said. " May time 
 soon bring a lasting peace between England and 
 Spain." 
 
 " God grant that blessing. In our welcome, 
 Senor Vancouver, is our joy expressed." 
 
 The Padre President s pleasure shone in his 
 countenance. 
 
 " Nay, friend Padre, the joy is ours to have 
 returned to your land. In all our travels have 
 we received no such hospitality as the Spaniards 
 give ; on all the globe can be found no such coun 
 try for bounty and delight ! " 
 
 He drew his companions closer and introduced 
 them : Captain Houstan of the frigate, late of his 
 majesty s marine corps; another, a young Bos- 
 tonian, John Asterly, son of a close friend who 
 had some years ago left England for America. 
 The others were young officers of the boat. 
 
 The Comandante and the Padre President
 
 THE PADRE PRESIDENT 145 
 
 greeted all, and presented them to the Presidio 
 officers and Spanish gentlemen. 
 
 " Good friends," the President then said, " a 
 hearty welcome we extend to all ; we pray you 
 command us for your comfort ! " 
 
 " Good Padre President, our comfort is assured 
 in this land of wonderful hospitality. I have re 
 turned to your shores with a motive. Little 
 gratitude would I have had for past comforts 
 and pleasures had I not returned with a trifling 
 gift as a very small testimony of appreciation ! " 
 
 " Seuor, you humble us ! Little have we done, 
 but if, in that little, we have gained sincere 
 friends, the debt is indeed on our side." 
 
 " Zounds ! " The Englishman bowed low, " I 
 beg your pardon, good Padre. It is an over 
 whelming honor you bestow on us. However, 
 when the ship s hold gives forth its treasure, I 
 trust your pleasure in receiving be as great as 
 our delight in giving. It shall be but a token 
 of my deep esteem and gratitude to the Cali- 
 fornias." 
 
 " Peace be to you and yours, Senor Van 
 couver." The Padre kissed him on his cheeks. 
 " We will receive your gift in the spirit which 
 impels it. Friends, it will give me pleasure and 
 much satisfaction if you will eat your mid-day 
 meal with me at the Mission, for, if I mistake 
 not, the Comandante and his officers, in the ab 
 sence of our beloved Governor, will wish to en 
 tertain you later at the Presidio." 
 
 The Comandante extended his invitation, then
 
 146 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 thanked the Englishman for the kindness he had 
 accorded his son. It gave him, he declared, 
 gratification in a small way to show his appre 
 ciation by giving them some little comfort and 
 entertainment. He invited them to his casa that 
 evening to dine before the ball that would be ar 
 ranged later in their honor. This dinner and 
 ball would give the strangers an opportunity to 
 meet the Spanish, ladies of the Presidio. This 
 was indeed a very great honor an honor 
 never bestowed promiscuously by the Spaniards. 
 Their women were exclusive and the men guarded 
 zealously their dignity. No greater appreciation 
 could the Comandante have shown this English 
 navigator for the kindness done to his son. 
 
 In the Padre President s study the guests sat 
 to rest while waiting for the meal. The Padre 
 had ordered wine ; when it came he blessed it be 
 fore pouring it into the glasses. 
 
 " Friends, drink ! Wine is good against 
 fatigue, and twill sharpen the edge of thy ap 
 petite." 
 
 It was a comfortable meal served in the long 
 dining-room on tables white with spotless linen 
 and gleaming with old silver. The fish was fresh 
 and well cooked. The loin of beef was tender 
 and the peppers served with it gave an added 
 relish. There were vermicelli, broth and tortilla 
 de maiz. There were beans fried with the meat 
 and vegetables from which the broth had been 
 made, with puchero the sauce of peppers to 
 stimulate the appetite.
 
 THE PADRE PRESIDENT 147 
 
 The dinner ended with fresh fruit, sweetmeats, 
 cheese and coffee. Wine was passed ad libitum. 
 
 During the eating Sir Vancouver related many 
 interesting experiences encountered on his three 
 months voyage. He was a man of broad knowl 
 edge and wide travel, with marked ease of man 
 ner and facility of tongue. 
 
 Siesta was close at hand when the meal was 
 finished. The Padre President accompanied the 
 strangers to their rooms, and before leaving them 
 bade them rest for an hour in peace.
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 
 JOHN ASTERLY 
 
 ON the campus of the Presidio slender poles, 
 with great knots of burning pine fastened to their 
 tops, were raised to form a circle of light. In the 
 center of this circle an improvised floor was laid 
 for the dancing, and around the edge of the floor 
 were seats arranged for the spectators. The Pre 
 sidio cottages nestled in the soft darkness out 
 side the circle of light and where candles burned 
 on the verandas grotesque shadow-images danced 
 to the rhythm of the music and the breeze. 
 
 The drill was over and the musicians marched 
 to their places by the pavilion and began to play. 
 The militia in full dress dispersed to join the 
 various groups awaiting them on the verandas. 
 
 The evening air was heavy with the tang of 
 salt and burning resin. Stars sparkled through 
 a filmy drapery of mist that hung between the 
 heavens and the earth. The swaying surf 
 echoed an adagio bass mingling in perfect tempo 
 with the Lydian measure of the instruments. 
 An intoxicating sense of delight came from the 
 music and the strains of merry laughter. 
 
 On the Comandante s veranda were assembled 
 the guests of the evening. Dinner was over and 
 
 148
 
 JOHN ASTERLY 149 
 
 they were sipping wine and smoking while await 
 ing the hour for dancing. The meal had been 
 delicious, the guests charming, and the time 
 spent together was one not soon to be forgotten. 
 Nowhere in all the land had a meal been served 
 w r ith greater excellency. The linen was ex 
 quisite, the silver rare and the service perfect. 
 The customs of regal Spain were observed in the 
 graciousness of the host and hostess, in the man 
 ner of service, in the profusion of edibles and 
 liquors and in the delightful harmony and beauty 
 of setting. 
 
 All the senoritas present were lovely, but 
 Marie was radiant. Her mind was brilliant, and 
 her tongue, a well-disciplined servant of an active 
 brain, displayed her brilliancy whenever she 
 spoke. Gowned in black velvet with clusters of 
 red roses at her waist, and with a high tortoise 
 comb in the coils of her hair that held the black 
 lace rebosa arched on her head, she personified a 
 nobility that at one time had been more wealthy 
 than, and as proud as, the royal family in those 
 never-to-be-forgotten days when Spain was in her 
 glory. 
 
 Sir Vancouver was pleased with her beauty 
 and intelligence; John Asterly was charmed. 
 Never had he seen a more delightful being. Her 
 coquetry fascinated him, and he tried with his 
 eyes to hold her glance, to watch the star-like 
 gleams light her eyes. But Marie was trained 
 in modesty and a fleeting glance was all she 
 would give him, On the veranda mantillas were
 
 150 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 drawn closer and the women sat apart while the 
 men smoked and talked. 
 
 At eight o clock the guests were taken to the 
 pavilion. Already the seats around the floor 
 were occupied by Spanish women, their duennas 
 huddled at their feet or standing at their backs. 
 Spaniards of all ranks were walking about or 
 engaged in conversation. The music began. 
 First came low, enticing strains, then, as the 
 volume of the sensuous melody increased, the 
 dancers gathered on the floor. Places of honor 
 were reserved for the Comandante and his guests. 
 John Asterly slipped away while the others were 
 taking their seats. He wished to be alone, to be 
 a spectator, unobserved, but observing. He 
 found a place among the shadows where he could 
 view the picture before him as he would have 
 studied a famous painting in a gallery. 
 
 To John the picture might have been a scene 
 transferred from Arcadia, for where but in 
 Elysian Fields could one find such wonderful 
 beauty and harmony? Here was not only beauty 
 and symmetry of form and sound, but combined 
 with these were a perfect evening and a brilliant 
 setting. The dancers swayed and glided in per 
 fect rhythm, expressing bodily the exquisite 
 poetry and grace of the music. A mischievous, 
 wily breeze crept in from the sea, curling the 
 pine flames almost to extinction and twining bil 
 lowy skirts about dainty feet. 
 
 John Asterly was so absorbed in his musings, 
 that, for a moment, he was entirely unaware of
 
 JOHN ASTERLY 151 
 
 personality as existing separately from canvas or 
 dreams, until startled from his contemplation by 
 a voice at his side. 
 
 " Seuor John, I have found you at last." 
 
 John laughed, "Yes, Don Charles, you found 
 me dreaming." 
 
 " Dreaming ! Ah, then, sefior, you are wearied 
 to drowsiness? " 
 
 " No ! I was intoxicated with enjoyment." 
 
 " Dios! I am, then, indeed pleased! Friend, 
 I have one with me, whom I wish you to know 
 as I know him. Captain Sol is an estimable sol 
 dier, and a genuine Spanish gentleman." 
 
 " I am delighted to meet you again after our 
 dinner together, Captain Sol." 
 
 Captain Sol shook the extended hand. " I am, 
 indeed, greatly pleased, Seiior Asterly, at this 
 second meeting and I am hoping that I may have 
 still further opportunity to enjoy your acquaint 
 ance." 
 
 " Your hospitality and your wonderful land 
 tempts me greatly to abide here longer than our 
 plans will permit." 
 
 " Caramba! " Don Charles was concerned, 
 " You are not thinking of departure with 
 your arrival hardly yet established? No, no, 
 seilor ! " 
 
 " Sir Vancouver sails the day following to 
 morrow, but I could wish to remain longer." 
 
 " $, si, seiior ! Why not? Let the honorable 
 Seiior Vancouver take the sail he plans, and on 
 his homeward bound voyage, let him call here
 
 152 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 for you ! I shall talk to my father, and he will 
 insist ! " 
 
 " Your hospitality is indeed tempting, but 
 shall we wait for the morrow, then I shall have 
 had an opportunity to speak of this to Sir Van 
 couver? " 
 
 " Then we will both work for the same end, 
 good friend ! " 
 
 Don Charles excused himself and hurried away 
 to his engagement for the dance. Captain Sol 
 lingered. The two men for a time watched the 
 dancers, then John spoke. 
 
 " Captain Sol, this is indeed a wonderful coun 
 try, and a charming people." 
 
 The Captain was pleased. " Si, senor, it is a 
 wonderful country, and we are proud of it ! The 
 people " He shrugged his shoulders, " It is for 
 you to judge them." 
 
 " So far I have not found them lacking " 
 
 " If you stay longer, senor, perhaps you 
 might." 
 
 " I can safely trust to find them even more 
 charming." 
 
 " It might be to your interest then to linger a 
 while." 
 
 " It would be most assuredly, senor, if I can 
 arrange that happy event." 
 
 " Senor Asterly, I wish you success in that 
 effort." 
 
 " Thank you, friend ! " 
 
 There was a silence. John s eyes wandered 
 over the happy throng. Without a reason they
 
 JOHN ASTERLY 153 
 
 rested on the flushed, animated face of Senorita 
 Angelica. John had an inclination to go to her. 
 He had exchanged only a word with her at the 
 dinner, but the friendly, flashing eyes seemed 
 now to beckon him. Turning to Captain Sol he 
 noticed that the Captain s eyes were intent on the 
 movements of Senorita Marie. John under 
 stood, and making an excuse he left Captain Sol, 
 who hurried at once to Senorita Marie s side. 
 
 Senorita Angelica s gentle heart had palpi 
 tated outrageously while dancing with the dash 
 ing young Lieutenant of the English frigate, but 
 it fairly leaped when the young American bowed 
 before her and asked for the pleasure of a dance. 
 Her eyes lifted shyly to his smiling face and she 
 thought there was no other present so big and 
 handsome. And then, Cielo! to think of him 
 singling her out first! What a tale of triumph 
 she would have to relate to Pajarita. These 
 thoughts flying through her head tied her tongue. 
 She hardly heard what he was saying. 
 
 " Senorita, perhaps you would rather walk 
 with me and tell me something about your charm 
 ing country? " 
 
 The tall man looked down at her with a tantal 
 izing twinkle in his eyes. She wished with all 
 her heart that she could answer with wit, but her 
 self-consciousness dulled her intellect. Shyly 
 she lifted her eyes to his, then dropped them, her 
 cheeks flushing. 
 
 " Senorita, you are charming. You resemble 
 a sea-nymph in that gown."
 
 154 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 She looked at him in surprise, her features ex 
 pressing such frank innocence and delight. He 
 liked her immediately. 
 
 ef Si, senor, but, I thought it was the country 
 that you thought most charming? However, I 
 am glad that I wore the gown if it pleases you." 
 
 " Your country, senorita, is a fit setting for its 
 more beautiful daughters ! " 
 
 She threw back her head and laughed merrily. 
 
 " My faith, senor you have a wondrous gift 
 of flattery! Yet, I vow, twas Fate favored me 
 in my wearing this gown. I had offered it for 
 the use of a friend, and, had she accepted, per 
 haps I should not have won your favor." 
 
 "You are wrong, the dress but enhances the 
 beauty of the wearer." They neared a seat 
 among the vines. He drew her to it. " Will you 
 rest here while I try to tell you how delightful 
 I find oh your country? " 
 
 She took the offered seat and spread out her 
 full skirts, nestling back among the vines. Mak 
 ing herself comfortable, she opened her fan 
 and peeped over it at John. The picture 
 pleased him; she was so young, unspoiled and 
 pretty. 
 
 " Seiiorita, you are not now a sea-nymph, but 
 a lovely butterfly resting amid the vines." 
 
 Angelica laughed, " Cielo, senor, in your eyes, 
 then, I have lost prestige, merging from a sea- 
 nymph into a butterfly. Soon I shall be but 
 the chrysalis. Twas the gown after all that at 
 tracted your eye. I vow it was! You should
 
 JOHN ASTERLY 155 
 
 see Senorita Pajarita in this gauzy green. I 
 wager she would evolve from a sea-siren to a 
 Venus in your eyes." 
 
 " Senorita, you are cruel I I do not wish to 
 see your friend Pajarita. A bird is a winged 
 symbol of divine unrest/ and I am quite content 
 with nestling butterflies." 
 
 " But, senor, would you not like to meet i the 
 little bird of the golden wing ? " 
 
 " Ah meaning? " 
 
 " The name that Don Jose, our beloved Gov 
 ernor, has given to a little maid who drifted to 
 our shores." 
 
 " At present, senorita, I have no curiosity 
 for others." 
 
 " That is a pity ! " 
 
 No answer. 
 
 " Everybody loves Pajarita that is, nearly 
 everybody." 
 
 " But me ! " John laughed. 
 
 " Oh but you will, senor, if you meet her ! " 
 
 " Zounds ! I had better not linger then, for 
 my heart would be full indeed with more than 
 it holds now." His eyes spoke volumes and 
 Angelica s fell before their ardent glance. 
 
 At that moment they were interrupted. An 
 gelica s duenna came forward. She had been 
 fretting at the stranger s presence, and could not 
 now resist interrupting. Muttering a rapid 
 jargon, she motioned Angelica to follow her. 
 But Angelica pretended not to hear or see. The 
 duenna would not be ignored; she insisted,
 
 156 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 argued and then commanded until Angelica in 
 exasperation rose to her feet. 
 
 " I must go, senor, as you see. Another time, 
 I hope I shall be more to you than a chrysalis in 
 a gauzy robe." With a tantalizing laugh she 
 was gone. 
 
 " Egad ! " John put his hands behind his back 
 and walked away. " Beautiful butterflies, in 
 deed, these Spanish senoritas ! But, alas ! 
 only too soon they " he did not finish. At 
 tracted toward the pavilion by some unusual ex 
 citement, he hurried there and stood in the 
 shadows of the lattice watching a scene of en 
 chanting interest.
 
 CHAPTER XVII 
 
 PAJAEITA ATTENDS THE BALL 
 
 SENORITA MARIE was well satisfied with the 
 evening. She had been courted and admired by 
 every officer and caballero present. She had but 
 one regret, and that was Don Jose s absence. 
 However, this did not dull her pleasure, for it 
 was only in a half-conscious way that he dwelt at 
 all in her mind ; and, just then, her mind was at 
 peace, knowing that he was far from other 
 feminine influence. 
 
 Marie fully enjoyed life when it moved for 
 her pleasure, but, for her entire satisfaction, she 
 must be the magnet about which it revolved. At 
 such a time the thought of no one person could 
 cast a feather s weight in the scales of her ela 
 tion. It would have to be something more tan 
 gible than a thought a rival magnet for in 
 stance, around which another circle might form. 
 She was reigning supreme this evening, how 
 ever, and had no anticipation of such a situation 
 arising. Don Jose was miles away from the 
 Presidio, and Senorita Pajarita was, no doubt, 
 fast asleep in her bed. There were times when 
 Marie was glad of Pajarita s absence. Not that 
 she feared that the foreign girl s beauty could 
 comDete with her s, it was more Pajarita s novel 
 
 157
 
 158 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 charm of impulse caprice that counted. 
 One never knew just what Pajarita was likely to 
 do, and this in itself was a dangerous attraction. 
 
 The early part of the evening was devoted to 
 round dances, but when the midnight hours met 
 the unfolding of another day, and as all grew 
 gayer under the influence of wine, beauty, and 
 symmetry of motion, they called for individual 
 dances. Marie was a skillful dancer, but not 
 until others had shown their ability would she 
 take part. Then with great dignity she took her 
 place in the center of the platform. It was the 
 burst of applause occasioned by her appearance 
 that had drawn John Asterly to the pavilion. 
 
 Not a sound came from the spectators as she 
 lifted her arms above her head and swayed her 
 body slowly and gracefully, lilting to the meas 
 ures of the music. Closing her eyes, then flash 
 ing them, and tossing her head, she shook her 
 castanets vigorously and moved more quickly. 
 Every curve of her perfect form blended in rav 
 ishing harmony to the sensuous strains. A fire 
 crept into her. sparkling eyes; her lips moved in 
 bewitching smiles; her arms invited, then re 
 pelled, and her body, lithe and curving, fas 
 cinated the eye with its outlines, its palpitating 
 warmth, and its enchanting movements. Her 
 motions increased from easy grace to an in 
 tensity of passion. 
 
 Marie s dancing was the Spaniard s pride. 
 The applause grew to a rapture, then to a frenzy. 
 According to Spanish custom, hats of adoring
 
 PAJARITA ATTENDS BALL 159 
 
 gallants were tossed to her head, as a sign of 
 high favor. When Marie could hold no more, 
 she removed them and received others. Coins 
 followed hats. Trinkets and more coins were 
 thrown at her feet. The music slowed to a dying 
 echo. Marie drew her form to its height, then, 
 bowing low in dreamy ecstasy, she kissed her 
 hands to all and slipped to her seat. 
 
 The tecolero gathered up the hats and trinkets 
 and placed them on Marie s lap. The owners in 
 turn knelt before her and redeemed them with 
 whatever price she chose. When the last hat 
 was redeemed, Marie observed her treasures. A 
 ring of unique workmanship caught her eyes ; she 
 selected it from the other things and held it up to 
 view. It was a serpent in form with two perfect 
 rubies for eyes. As she was about to slip it on 
 her finger, it dropped and rolled out of sight. 
 Annoyed, Marie rose to her feet and waved her 
 circle of admirers to the rear. Anxious and in 
 sistent she had all searching for the treasure. 
 Impatiently she waved them aside and herself 
 began to search. Almost immediately she de 
 scried two tiny flames. The light from the pine 
 knots had caught the fire in the gems, causing 
 them to sparkle. Stooping, Marie picked up the 
 ring and rose to confront Pajarita. 
 
 Marie s eyes opened wide with astonishment. 
 She had not for one instant believed that Paja 
 rita would take up her wager, but there she was, 
 dressed as an Indian youth, her white linen 
 trousers rolled above her ankles, a blouse of the
 
 160 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 same material worn with the collar unbuttoned 
 and thrown back from her throat, and the sleeves 
 folded above her elbows. About her waist and 
 hips was draped an Indian scarf. Her curls she 
 had tucked beneath a half-worn sombrero, and on 
 her feet were thickly beaded moccasins a gift 
 from Juan. 
 
 Marie noted every detail of the odd attire, then 
 laughed a low amused laugh. A group of young 
 people crowded about them, their eyes opened 
 wide with amusement. Marie s astonishment 
 turned to annoyance. 
 
 " Cielo! You took the wager! I vow, Pajarita, 
 you had courage ! " 
 
 " Not so, Marie. The courage is yours to at 
 tend the ball in your attire." 
 
 " What mean you ? I have ever clung to the 
 customs of my sex. With you it is different a 
 change comes quite natural." 
 
 " Yes, Marie, for me a change is ever welcome, 
 if it but relieve the monotony of every day life; 
 and then, if you remember, it was you who sug 
 gested that I might win some hearts, if I came at 
 tired so ! " 
 
 "Ah ! Then twas that chance that tempted 
 you? " 
 
 " Why not the chance you meant in your chal 
 lenge, to play the clown and so furnish a foil for 
 your charm? " 
 
 " Cielo!" exclaimed Marie. 
 
 " I have met your challenge, Marie ! "
 
 PAJARITA ATTENDS BALL 161 
 
 " You show a very good opinion of me, Paja 
 rita." 
 
 " I wished to please you, and for that reason 
 came to the ball." 
 
 Giving herself a careless swing she said : 
 " I saw your dance, Marie, and compliment you." 
 
 Marie colored, " Perhaps you, Pajarita, will 
 take the palm from me with steps suited to 
 your costume." 
 
 She was interrupted by Don Luis. 
 
 " Dios! Senorita Pajarita," he said. "You 
 are bewitching in that garb ! Tis a pity you 
 cannot dance. It would indeed be a treat ! " 
 
 " Perhaps twould be a pity ! " retorted Paja 
 rita. 
 
 Don Luis eyes sparkled, " Tell us, senorita, 
 what stakes were up for this wager I heard you 
 discussing? " 
 
 Pajarita looked up quickly. Then her white 
 eyelids veiled her dancing eyes. She had seen 
 the ring that had been recovered by Marie. A 
 sudden mischievous impulse came to her. 
 
 " The stakes, Don Luis? There were none 
 but there may be. The ring, Senorita Marie just 
 found at my feet, is the reward I would claim." 
 
 Marie confronted Pajarita with white face, 
 " You will not claim my prizes ! " 
 
 " Saints, Marie ! Tis you after all that lacks 
 courage to play the game through well. I will 
 not press your sense of courtesy or fairness. The 
 ring shall still be yours ! "
 
 162 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 Marie dropped the ornament at Pajarita s feet 
 as though the tiny serpent circling it had bitten 
 her hand, and then turned haughtily away. 
 
 Don Charles stooped for the ring, and placed 
 it on Pajarita s finger, 
 
 " Permit me, seiiorita, to do for my sister what 
 she should have done herself." Kissing Paja 
 rita s hand, he stepped back. 
 
 Pajarita was stunned, "I , I was only jok 
 ing." She slipped off the ring and handed it to 
 Don Charles, " Please, senor, take it to Seiiorita 
 Marie, and tell her I was simply jesting." 
 
 " No ! " Marie was at Pajarita s side in an 
 instant. " I insist that you keep it ! " 
 
 Angelica had been daricing while this little 
 scene had taken place. She made her way 
 through the small group, and at sight of Paja 
 rita rushed to her side. 
 
 " Pajarita, amiga mia. I am glad you are 
 here ! I knew you would come ! Indeed I did ! 
 And you were not afraid of the wager? Eueno, 
 "buenol" She clapped her hands gleefully. 
 " Now you will meet Don Charles, Marie s 
 brother, and his friend and the officers and 
 Don Charles, come ! Pajarita is my very dear 
 friend ! " 
 
 While they exchanged greetings, Angelica 
 beckoned to John Asterly, " Seiior, you too must 
 meet my friend." 
 
 The young stranger came and was introduced. 
 Pajarita wanted to get away. She had not an 
 ticipated such a situation. When an opportun-
 
 PAJARITA ATTENDS BALL 163 
 
 ity offered, she whispered to Angelica. " Amiga, 
 I must go! Will you help me get away? " 
 
 "Yes, but Cielo! I am sorry you must go! 
 It is a pity you cannot stay for at least one 
 dance." 
 
 Marie joined them. 
 
 " Pajarita, you are asked to dance." 
 
 " I do not dance, Marie ! " 
 
 " Ah but I told them you could, and if you 
 do not, you will offend us all." 
 
 Pajarita s face grew rosy, " I am sorry that I 
 shall have to offend, I do not dance ! " 
 
 Voices coaxed. The Comandante overhearing 
 their entreaties, went to Pajarita. He was in 
 high good humor, and was bubbling over with 
 the happiness he felt. 
 
 " Come, little friend, you have never failed us 
 yet ! " He escorted her to the center of the floor. 
 Pajarita was troubled. She had not danced any, 
 but the round dances, since leaving her father s 
 ship, and she did not know whether she could 
 remember even the first step of the dance she 
 had often danced on the frigate for him. 
 
 While she stood in doubt, Marta broke through 
 the rows of waiting spectators, and dropped at 
 Pajarita s feet. Mumbling excitedly, Marta 
 pleaded with her mistress to return to her home. 
 Pajarita stooped and whispered, then pointed to 
 Juan who sat with the musicians. Marta obeyed 
 Pajarita s wish instantly, and soon Juan s bow 
 drew from his violin the melody Pajarita loved 
 and that she had taught him to play when, dur-
 
 164 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 ing the first months of Pajarita s life in the Cali- 
 fornias, he had been her constant companion. 
 The music brought back memories, dear but sad, 
 and for an instant a sob rose to her throat, then 
 came the old sensations, that had made her life 
 on the water a delight. She felt the motion of 
 the rolling waves and the cool spray frisking its 
 briny dampness across her face. 
 
 She began slowly dreamily picking her 
 steps daintily, as though recalling a forgotten 
 art. Juan s melody brought back visions to Pa- 
 jarita. She again was on the deck of the frigate, 
 with the wide endless expanse of blue above, 
 around, and beneath her. The music came from 
 the skipper s old bow, and her audience was her 
 father and his mates. She again felt the free 
 dom of the joyous sea, and, forgetting herself 
 and all the world, she danced as she had so long 
 ago in those happy days, when her art was but 
 the spontaneous improvising of childish impulses 
 and visions. 
 
 Pajarita was again on the tumbling billows, 
 with the sporting whitecaps, and the mischiev 
 ous, capering wind. In her vision joyful Naiads 
 again danced with her on the glistening, throb 
 bing surface of deepest azure, and again the rosy 
 glow in the western sky was but the reflection 
 of their merry, laughing hearts. 
 
 Pajarita s lithe, graceful body swayed with the 
 lilting of the imaginary sea, and her eyes spar 
 kled as she responded to the winking stars that 
 peeped at her from their corners in the heaven.
 
 PAJARITA ATTENDS BALL 165 
 
 She frolicked with her visioned Naiads, leaped, 
 twirled, caught at the fleeing spray as it faded 
 away over the pulsing blue; and at last, in an 
 ecstasy of joy, like a spouting wave that rises in 
 slender grace to its veriest height above the sur 
 face to twirl, then fall in feathery sprays, Pa- 
 jarita, on tiptoe, pirouetted with curved, uplifted 
 arms, twirling around and around, to drop, like 
 the wave, in charming curves and courtesies. 
 
 The Spaniards were wild in their response. 
 Their pleasure knew no bounds. Hats, trinkets, 
 coins in fact anything, even the treasures they 
 had about them, were thrown at the dancer s feet. 
 When the music ceased, and Pajarita rose from 
 her picturesque obeisance, they would not allow 
 her to leave the floor, but urged and insisted on 
 her continuing the dance. Brushing aside her 
 fallen curls, Pajarita moved as though to begin 
 again. The air rang with renewed applause. 
 All looked eagerly toward the dancer, but Paja 
 rita with a mischievous smile slipped from the 
 floor and disappeared in the crowd. 
 
 John Asterly had drawn close, his curiosity 
 thoroughly aroused. The odd attire of the girl 
 interested him. He speculated as to whether 
 she were truly Castilian or partly Indian. Her 
 fair complexion and rich blue eyes contradicted 
 the mixture, yet he wondered because of a dif 
 ferent air about this young girl than he had 
 found about the other senoritas. When Juan 
 began his music, John listened with astonish 
 ment. With interest he watched Pajarita take
 
 166 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 her first steps; as she continued, his amazement 
 increased. Where, thought he, had the seuorita 
 learned this dance? He knew it was not the 
 languorous spirit of the Spanish terpsichore. 
 Senorita Angelica s conversation about the girl 
 returned to him. Pajarita ! this then was the 
 little golden bird. 
 
 Pajarita s dancing awakened within him mem 
 ories dreams aspirations. Marie s dancing 
 had appealed to the senses, Pajarita s to the soul. 
 There was an exultation in her movements that 
 expressed the joy of life; an abandonment that 
 suggested the height and depth, width and length 
 of unbounded freedom, and a vivacious activity 
 that depicted the ceaseless unrest of soaring 
 hope. 
 
 It was with a pang he heard the last strain of 
 music slip into silence. When Pajarita hurried 
 by him he turned and followed her. He would 
 have lost her had she not stopped in the shadows 
 to give a low summons to Marta. Without real 
 izing what he was doing, he took hold of her arm, 
 as she was slipping away from him. 
 
 " Senorita, just a moment, please ! Where did 
 you learn that dance? " 
 
 Pajarita was astonished at the stranger s au 
 dacity. 
 
 " Senor," she gasped, " let go of my arm ! " 
 
 " Not until you answer ! " 
 
 " You are bold, senor ! " 
 
 A sudden rustle sounded behind him and a 
 knife gleamed before the young man s face. In
 
 PAJARITA ATTENDS BALL 167 
 
 an instant, John had grasped Marta s hand and 
 pushed her aside. The Indian woman again 
 lunged forward. Pajarita spoke sharply to her, 
 and Marta stepped back sulkily, but watchful 
 that the man kept his hand at his side. 
 
 " Senor Asterly," Pajarita spoke in English, 
 " I thought my friend introduced to me a gentle 
 man." 
 
 "You speak English! I hope I have not un- 
 pardonably offended. I was carried away with 
 your dance. It seemed to speak to me of things 
 I have known all my life. I could not have be 
 lieved a Spanish senorita could have danced as 
 you did. Will you can you pardon me? " 
 
 " You imply something lacking of spirit in the 
 Spanish dancing? " 
 " No, no ! Only " 
 
 " I must believe that was your meaning ! 
 Adios! " She was gone. 
 
 John felt that he had lost something. He 
 went back to the throng. They were dancing the 
 canastita de flores. All had taken hands to form 
 a circle. As they moved backwards they sep 
 arated, then again joined hands as they met in 
 the center. Song mingled with the dancing. 
 Presently the circle was broken up by the men 
 rushing, each one to the senorita he wished to 
 accompany home. 
 
 Don Charles had captured Senorita Angelica, 
 and Captain Sol had joined Senorita Marie. 
 John watched it all without taking part. His 
 mind was on the little senorita who had en-
 
 168 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 chanted them all with her grace her bird- 
 like lightness. Pajarita ! A little bird, indeed ! 
 As he thought over the dance, the words he had 
 repeated, when talking to Angelica, came again 
 to him. " A bird is the winged symbol of divine 
 unrest ! "
 
 CHAPTER XVIII 
 
 DON JOSE TAKES COUNSEL 
 
 DON JOSE stayed but a few moments at the Mis 
 sion. The Padre President was not there, and 
 Don Jose was too anxious to reach his own house 
 to linger. As he was leaving the corridor lead 
 ing from the President s study, Don Jose met 
 Padre Juposa. The good priest s face beamed 
 with pleasure at the unexpected meeting. 
 
 " Valedor bueno, glad I am that thou hast re 
 turned." 
 
 " I am just as pleased, good friend, to be here 
 again. Padre, the ship that sits in the bight of 
 the bay caught my eye while riding homeward. 
 What news have you concerning it? " 
 
 " The frigate is English, senor, and it carried 
 hither the English navigator, Senor Vancouver, 
 and his friend, a young Bostonian ! " 
 
 Not a change of expression showed on Don 
 Jose s face. He waited a second, then asked, 
 " The Padre President, welcomed he the landing, 
 Padre? " 
 
 " Yes ! All were present ! A most unusual 
 landing it was, senor. The Comandante had re 
 fused to salute the foreign sail. The news 
 spread rapidly, and a crowd gathered by the 
 
 169
 
 170 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 water s edge. The holy Padre requested all to 
 kneel in prayer, and lo! like a dove descending 
 from above, a message came over the waves in 
 our own beloved language." 
 
 "What!" 
 
 "Just so, senor. Twas from Don Charles 
 who had returned to Monterey from Mexico on 
 the English frigate. When the salute was with 
 held they sent him ashore in a row-boat to inter 
 cede for permission to land. The Comandante, 
 overcome with joy at sight of his son, ordered 
 the salute." 
 
 " Now, good father, I must away ! Time flies, 
 and I would greet those at home." 
 
 " Will you not tarry for refreshment, Don 
 Jose? " 
 
 "No, no! I thank you! Adios, friend!" 
 
 Don Jose did not ride swiftly over the road 
 to the Presidio. He appeared to have forgotten 
 his anxiety to reach home. Leisurely the horses 
 cantered while Don Jose studied over problems 
 that vexed his mind; but, when he threw his 
 reins to the servant at his own gateway, his 
 mind had reached satisfactory conclusions. 
 
 Don Jose s bath was hardly completed when 
 the Comandante appeared, accompanied by his 
 son. Don Jose did not keep them waiting, but 
 had them sit in the dining-room while he ate his 
 breakfast. The Comandante was flushed with 
 the suppression of the news he carried, and, after 
 greeting the Governor and presenting his son, he 
 fumbled impatiently for his handkerchief to dry
 
 DON JOSfi TAKES COUNSEL; 171 
 
 away the moisture from his brow before begin 
 ning his narrative. 
 
 " Valedor Gobernador, there is news awaiting 
 your ear, and I would be the first to tell it." 
 
 " Friend, you have already told much by the 
 expression I see in your face. Glad I am that 
 Don Charles has returned. You are satisfied, 
 Don Charles, to be home again? " 
 
 " Yes, Seuor Gobncrnador! I have returned 
 to stay, if it please you." 
 
 " If it please me? You young vagabond, we 
 have been dissatisfied since the day you left! 
 Tis indeed an opportune time for your return, 
 for we have need of you." 
 
 " How so, senor? " The youth s eyes beamed 
 brightly. 
 
 Don Jose smiled; it was a way he had when 
 pleased. It had won him many hearts, and now 
 it completely won him the young caballero. 
 
 " Wait ! Tis enough now that you are here. 
 Later, your father and I have surprises for you 
 but your patience may be taxed to play a long 
 and level stretch." 
 
 " Caramba! " the Comandante rose impa 
 tiently, " Would you have the news that is con 
 suming me, Senor Governor? The ship! You 
 have seen it of course, but, I w T ould have you 
 know, Don Jose, that this very vagabond whom 
 you honor so highly, was the means of its an 
 choring in our harbor, and of its crew landing on 
 our shore." 
 
 Don Jose s eyebrows went high as he looked at
 
 172 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 the young don. " A trump card you were for 
 Senor Vancouver, Don Charles ! " 
 
 The Comandante stared. " You have the 
 news then, senor?" 
 
 " Not in its entirety, though enough, until you 
 tell me more! But that will come later. We 
 will go to the study." He turned to the serving 
 maid, " Bring wine to us there ! " 
 
 After the maid had passed the wine and left 
 the room, Don Jose turned to Don Charles. 
 
 " How came you to sail with the English 
 man? " 
 
 Don Charles told him briefly. 
 
 " Had you the freedom of the ship, Don 
 Charles?" 
 
 " Yes, that is, at different times, I was over 
 the entire ship." 
 
 " Were you in the hold? " 
 
 " Once during a storm, when all hands assisted, 
 and again, when I went there alone." 
 
 " What took you there the second time? " 
 
 " Curiosity, senor." 
 
 " To ascertain the nature of the cargo? " 
 
 " Si, Senor Governor." 
 
 " There were many useful things ah in 
 the way of " 
 
 " Senor, there were many implements, 
 tools " 
 
 " Don Charles, a valued son your father has 
 in your return, if your heart is with the Cali- 
 fornias ! " 
 
 " It is, Senor Governor."
 
 DON JOSfi TAKES COUNSEL 173 
 
 " Bueno! The young Bostonian who is 
 he?" 
 
 " My friend ! " 
 
 " Very good ! You were with him much while 
 on the frigate?" 
 
 " Si, senor ! " 
 
 " Heard you from him his motive in coming to 
 the Calif ornias? " 
 
 " Never, though from his talk I deemed it 
 pleasure. He would linger here, while Senor 
 Vancouver takes a short voyage." 
 
 "So? And you are fond of this Bostonian, 
 and would have him linger? " 
 
 " Yes, senor. If you would add your favor to 
 my entreaty, and my father s insistence, I should 
 indeed be pleased." 
 
 " We shall consider that later, Don Charles. 
 What drew you to the stranger? " 
 
 " His fairness, in the first place." 
 
 " Is he Senor Vancouver s confidant? " 
 
 " I believe so. He had free access to Senor 
 Vancouver s cabin." 
 
 " Did you ever accompany him there? " 
 
 " But once ! " Don Charles laughed, " But 
 Senor Governor, I assure you I was not wel 
 comed. Though nothing was said, I understood 
 from the Englishman s face. He could be very 
 gruff and stern of countenance." 
 
 " How did it happen, Don Charles? " 
 " I followed Senor Asterly to the cabin one 
 day, thinking he would show me some relics the 
 Englishman had gathered from all parts of the
 
 174 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 globe. Evidently Senor John did not under 
 stand that the navigator did not want me to 
 enter his cabin. When we went in, Senor 
 Vancouver was working over large rolls of 
 parchments, and, when he noticed me, he 
 hurriedly covered them up and turned from 
 the table." 
 
 " Saw you the contents of the parchment? " 
 
 " No, but I judged, Senor Governor, from the 
 compasses and fluids that lay about, that he car 
 ries the title of Navigator for some purpose." 
 
 A pleased expression passed between the two 
 older men. The Comandante s face shone. 
 " Son ! You were not asleep on the voyage, and 
 I am proud of you." 
 
 " Father, I have been traveling with men of 
 other countries and I have found them ever wide 
 awake. Tis so with Seilor Asterly. He is am 
 bitious, and and what shall I say spir 
 ited ! That is it ! He is going to do things 
 he says. He has been to the university ah 
 the Oxford in London, and he would be an en 
 gineer." 
 
 " Not a gentlemanly occupation ! I should say," 
 the Comandante volunteered. 
 
 " What ! Not so ! You should hear him talk. 
 He said that the time would come when engineers 
 would be trained to conduct the erection of frig 
 ates war-vessels bridges over rivers and 
 well, you should hear his ideas. He has wonder 
 ful dreams. He declares the day will come when 
 there will be ships propelled by steam power,
 
 DON JOSfi TAKES COUNSEL 175 
 
 and horseless carriages run by steam over iron 
 roads." 
 
 " Caramba! By all that is holy, I swear the 
 like I have never heard before! Horseless car 
 riages, run over iron roads, vessels propelled 
 by steam! Dios! The believers of such absurd 
 ity would convert the wisdom of the prophets 
 into babbling foolishness to suit their own turn 
 of mind. Frigates or vessels as you say 
 are built by strong arms, the more the better, and 
 propelled by the same energy and the power 
 of the wind. As for horseless carriages, they 
 indeed would be as headless men. Think you the 
 body minus a head could travel aright, even 
 though filled with oceans of boiling water? " 
 
 " Father, I will not say what I think. Tis 
 enough for me to tell another s thoughts. I felt 
 not like laughing when he talked. His spirit is 
 indeed good, and makes one feel like accomplish 
 ing things, if only in dreams." 
 
 Don Jose had listened attentively to the con 
 versation. He had his own thoughts, and had 
 had his dreams. He felt, as Don Charles, that 
 one need not laugh at a bright man s thoughts, 
 even if they were but dreams. He, Don Jose, 
 had visions visions of great war vessels 
 propelled by he did not know, but by some 
 thing other than man-power and sails. He had 
 to confess to himself that he was interested 
 in this newcomer. He thought deeply while 
 listening to the two men. An idea came to 
 him.
 
 176 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " Don Charles, when does the English frigate 
 sail from our port? " 
 
 " The day following to-morrow, Senor Van 
 couver told Don John." 
 
 Don Jose rose and walked to the table. Pick 
 ing up a box of cigarettes, he opened it and 
 passed it to the two men. Before replacing it, 
 he selected a cigarette, lighted it, then puffed at 
 it vigorously for a moment before taking his 
 seat. 
 
 " Don Charles," he began again between puffs 
 of smoke, " I shall consider the request you made 
 that I extend an invitation to Seiior Asterly to 
 remain in Monterey, and in the meanwhile, I 
 shall, when convenient, meet your friend, the 
 young Bostonian." 
 
 Don Charles dropped on his knee before the 
 Governor, his eyes beaming, " Seiior Governor, I 
 thank you." 
 
 The major-domo announced the arrival of the 
 Padre President and Sir Vancouver. Don 
 Charles quickly excused himself and left. The 
 Governor asked the Comandante to remain. 
 
 " Stay, friend. There will be discussions you 
 should hear. There is timber in abundance in 
 our forests, and a distance not too great for the 
 hauling, but there are other difficulties yet to be 
 overcome before this work can begin. The Eng 
 lish frigate may be the solution to a vexing prob 
 lem that would retard our progress." 
 
 " Caramba! I have lost rest through a night 
 and a siesta, because of the frigate s anchoring.
 
 DON JOSfc TAKES COUNSEL 177 
 
 I could not imagine a worse frame of mind than 
 yours might be in when you learned the truth, 
 and behold ! you have not manifested enough in 
 terest in the affair to encourage my telling you 
 the story and thereby clearing myself, and now, 
 the saints protect us! you take my breath away 
 by telling me the English may be a blessing in 
 disguise." He drew out his much used handker 
 chief, and wiped his brow. 
 
 The Governor laughed heartily, " No, no ! Not 
 the English that are a blessing, but listen to 
 what I say their tools they, perhaps may be 
 the opening wedge to the project that means the 
 future progress of our beloved Californias." 
 
 " Caramba! Bios!" The Comandante rose 
 to his feet and walked to the table. " To think 
 of it! Oh! that explains then the reason for 
 catechizing the boy? " The Governor smiled, 
 " Caramba! " The Comandante continued, "I 
 regret not the sleepless hours. However, I do 
 wish that I might have had the benefit of your 
 scheme to keep balanced my ruffled brain. 
 Twould have saved me much distress." 
 
 " Caution ! Senor Comandante, they are here." 
 
 Don Jose and the Comandante greeted the 
 guests, then the Governor ordered wine and cig 
 arettes served to them. Sir Vancouver seemed 
 greatly pleased at this opportunity to meet the 
 Governor before departing. 
 
 " Tis far over a year since last we met Gov 
 ernor Allegmissio." 
 
 " That is true, senor,"
 
 178 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " And now again, as when the last time here, 
 we are deeply indebted to your generosity." 
 
 " If the report I heard be true, senor, we will 
 be the greater debtors to your endowment." 
 
 " Then, Don Jose," said the Padre President, 
 " thou hast heard of the gift to the chapel? " 
 
 " Yes, good Padre ; it is the first organ to cross 
 the waters to the Californias. This fact, and the 
 joy it will give all, combined with Seiior Van 
 couver s act of grace, makes us indeed his debt 
 ors." 
 
 " A most auspicious time for the gift, Senor 
 Governor," the Padre added. " The dedication 
 takes place to-morrow, God willing, and the organ 
 is now being placed in the nave of the chapel. 
 God s blessings never cease. Buen Governor, I 
 brought Seiior Vancouver with me, that thou 
 mayest hear from our lips the proposal we would 
 offer. The Mission is greatly in need of the sta 
 ples that should have arrived from Mexico over a 
 year ago, and which now we despair of getting 
 from that port. The Presidio, thou art well 
 aware, hast the same need. The Seiior Van 
 couver hast a need, likewise, which we art 
 abundantly able to supply. So then, seiior, our 
 proposal is that equal exchange be granted to 
 all concerned with no future indebtedness or 
 obligation to either. What hast thou to say, 
 seiior? " 
 
 " It sounds very well indeed, Padre? Could 
 you tell just what you have most need of? " 
 
 " Cotton, sugar, farming implements, and
 
 DON JOSfe TAKES COUNSEL 179 
 
 other things I could recall, seiior. I have come 
 that thou mayest cooperate with the church in 
 this matter. Why ignore the need at hand? 
 Tis for the good of the people. Do we not owe 
 them consideration?" 
 
 " Padre, why thrust an unfinished bargain 
 upon another s shoulders? You have negotiated 
 with Senor Vancouver, without my aid, now, why 
 trouble me? I have not sought him." 
 
 " Valedor! There has ever been, since thine 
 administration, a friendly sympathy between 
 church and state. Let it continue! We two 
 must cooperate in the interests of the Cali- 
 fornias. That is why I am here to-day. The 
 ship has need of tallows, hides, cereals and other 
 commodities of which we have plenty, and, in 
 return for them, Seiior Vancouver will supply 
 our needs from the frigate s hold. Think you not 
 there is wisdom in exchange? " 
 
 The Governor rose to his feet, and clasping his 
 hands behind him walked the length of the floor 
 several times before answering. He then ad 
 dressed his remarks to Sir Vancouver. 
 
 " Senor, you are here to barter with the Cali- 
 fornias? " 
 
 " You may put it that way, senor." 
 
 " In your exchange with the Californias, do 
 you propose to consider the Californias in the 
 same way that you would consider England? " 
 
 The Englishman hesitated, then smiled, 
 " Senor, is there an equal comparison? " 
 
 " That is the point ; there must be, before I
 
 180 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 shall countenance reciprocity! We wish com 
 merce with the world, but as a wing of a nation 
 thrown upon its own resources we demand a 
 treaty to protect our rights." 
 
 " If that treaty is withheld? " 
 
 " There will be no exchange, and the future 
 growth of the Californias will be so rapid and 
 built on such firm foundation, that her needs will 
 be supplied." 
 
 " Seiior, what would you have? " 
 
 " Seiior Vancouver, you are the suppliant ! " 
 
 " Egad ! Pardon, senor, you are independ 
 ent!" 
 
 "Quite!" 
 
 " Then it is a treaty you w r ould have? " 
 
 " Positively, and the destruction of all your 
 maps of the Californias ports. Then, Seiior 
 Vancouver, your frigate s hold will be stored to 
 its capacity with the commodities you desire, 
 both now and at any future time." 
 
 The Englishman uttered an oath under his 
 breath. " What right have you to ask the de 
 struction of my personal property? " 
 
 " The right that ever seals an honest treaty 
 reciprocal fairness in intent and action. One 
 moment, seilor, the bull-fight that is to be given 
 in your honor, takes place immediately following 
 siesta. After it is over, accompany me to my 
 cam where we will dine, then afterwards, in the 
 quiet of this study, give me your decision." 
 
 The Englishman was disturbed. Promising to 
 see the Governor at the Plaza de Tores, he ex-
 
 DON JOS& TAKES COUNSEL 181 
 
 cused himself. As the Padre President rose to 
 follow Sir Vancouver, Don Jose detained him. 
 
 " Just a moment, Padre President. With my 
 deep regard for you and your judgment, I 
 could hesitate in my determination, but, as you 
 said, we are working for the interest of the Cali- 
 fornias, and personal feelings are for us sec 
 ondary matters, eh, good Padre? " 
 
 " Quite so, quite so ! " 
 
 " Padre, I would see you soon again, if con 
 venient? " 
 
 " The present is convenient, if you are satis 
 fied, sefior." 
 
 " Then, Padre, I would have you know that, 
 if the Englishman agrees to my arrangement, the 
 tools and implements in the frigate s hold shall 
 be at my disposal." 
 
 The Padre President was too astonished to an 
 swer immediately. 
 
 " Senor, thou art subtle beyond my compre 
 hension this day. I shall see thee at a later 
 time. Adios, Valedor Governor." He hastened 
 to join Sir Vancouver, who awaited him on the 
 veranda. 
 
 Don Jose and the Comandante sat talking over 
 their plans, until the hour of siesta. Then they 
 separated with mutual satisfaction in the au 
 spicious outlook for the Californias.
 
 CHAPTER XIX 
 
 AT THE GRATING 
 
 THE morning after the ball, Pajarita was 
 awakened by a lusty-voiced songster singing his 
 love to his mate in the rose-vines. She lay 
 watching the beautiful bird, inspired with his 
 possessive ardor and dignity. She had thought 
 over the events of the ball before falling asleep 
 in the early hours of dawn, and now she did 
 not try to think, but lay quiet tranquil as the 
 sunbeams that flecked the room with brightness. 
 
 She had overslept, for the sun was well over 
 the eastern slope. Stretching her arms, she 
 yawned, then sprang out of bed. She had 
 planned just what she would do after rising, so, 
 without calling Marta, she hurried through her 
 toilet. There was not a sign of fatigue about 
 Pajarita. Her eyes and hair rivaled the sun 
 beams in their luster, and her cheeks held the 
 same hue that the sun had kissed into the roses. 
 Her firm, pink flesh pulsated with vigorous 
 youth, and the dimples in her shoulders matched 
 those that frolicked in the corners of her mouth. 
 These, and the sweet smile that curved her lips, 
 were indicative of a merry heart, seldom made 
 gloomy. When little fits of ill-temper arose, 
 they were, as a rule, as ephemeral as the flighty 
 
 182
 
 AT THE GRATING 183 
 
 white-caps that flew from the noisy waves as they 
 sprawled over the unruffled beach. 
 
 Tucking back the wayward curls with a high- 
 backed tortoise cornb, and pressing back the folds 
 of a very full skirt, Pajarita left her room hum 
 ming the air Juan had played for her at the ball. 
 At Donna Sofia s private apartment she paused 
 to renew her waning courage. Knocking lightly, 
 Pajarita entered at the sound of Sofia s voice. 
 " Bucna manana! Donna Sofia." 
 Sofia merely glanced up at the girl. 
 " I should have said, buenos dias, senorita. 
 The morning has gone ! " 
 
 " Quite true, Donna Sofia," Pajarita laughed, 
 " and I have but just left my bed." 
 
 " You should then be fully rested, if you re 
 tired at a reasonable hour." 
 
 " I am rested, thank you, seilora. I came to 
 you here to tell you something." 
 
 " Then take a seat, senorita. It makes one ill 
 at ease to stand while talking." 
 Pajarita obeyed. 
 
 " Senora, I have never intentionally deceived 
 you and never wish to ; that is why I have come 
 to tell you that I went to the ball last evening." 
 Sofia s lips narrowed and she lifted her eyes 
 to Pajarita. A cutting steeliness glinted their 
 depths. 
 
 Pajarita waited a moment then continued. 
 " I went because I felt my sense of justice 
 outraged." 
 Only the rigid line that divided Sofia s lips
 
 184 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 gave indication of her hearing. She stitched 
 with as even measure as before. Not a word did 
 she offer. 
 
 " Donna Sofia, I was perfectly willing to forego 
 the dinner at Seilor Comandante s and the games 
 at the plaza, and go to mass and confession, for 
 my sin, but when you took away my clothes and 
 insisted that I sacrifice the ball, I could not 
 obey." 
 
 Sofia seemed determined to let the girl have 
 her say. Her cold silence disturbed Pajarita. 
 She wished Sofia would make some comment, or 
 scold her anything to lessen the tension, but 
 Sofia waited. 
 
 " Donna Sofia, I wished not to be disobedient, 
 but I felt that you were unfair." 
 
 Sofia s eyebrows lifted, " And now you 
 feel ? " 
 
 There was such scorn in the expression and 
 tone Pajarita could not suppress her next re 
 mark. 
 
 " At least, Donna Sofia, I feel that I have as 
 serted my womanhood." 
 
 The color left Sofia s face. 
 
 " Unusual words for a girl of your age to use 
 to her superior, seilorita." 
 
 " I beg your pardon, if I gave you a wrong im 
 pression. I meant to say that, because I felt you 
 had treated me unfairly, there was but one thing 
 for me to do to keep my self-respect. You may 
 have done right according to your belief, but I 
 did not think that way."
 
 AT THE GRATING 185 
 
 Pajarita arose from her seat and went to Sofia. 
 
 " Seiiora, I wish you did not feel unkindly 
 toward me. I should like to please you." 
 
 The woman s eyes blazed. She struggled to 
 control herself and well she knew silence was the 
 best means. Pajarita saw the look in Sofia s 
 eyes. 
 
 " Do not think, Donna Sofia, that I am plead 
 ing for determent of the natural consequences 
 of my act, nor that I am attempting to win you 
 with cajolery. I am quite willing to answer for 
 my act, but I am not sorry for it. If I said I 
 were, I would be falsifying. I am honest when 
 I say I wish I could please you." 
 
 " Senorita, your last act will not contribute 
 much to your desire. You may go now." 
 
 Sofia s last sentence had much the same effect 
 on Pajarita as the snow would have on a burning 
 candle. She rose to her feet and walked briskly 
 to the door, then hesitated. Pajarita did not 
 realize what she was saying, her heart was full 
 and the words came tumultuously. 
 
 " Donna Sofia, you may plead to the Holy 
 Mother to love you and intercede for your salva 
 tion, but you cannot give to another what you 
 yearn for, because you have not a mother s 
 heart." 
 
 Pajarita left the room hurriedly. Long after 
 the door closed behind Pajarita Sofia sat with 
 idle hands. The girl s last words seemed to 
 stun her. Impatiently angrily she tried to 
 cast aside the deep impression, but it clung.
 
 186 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 She reached for the rosary at her side, and clos 
 ing her eyes murmured the prayer to the Blessed 
 Virgin. 
 
 Pajarita went to her room. She burned as 
 though with fever. Dropping before the prie- 
 dieu she clasped her hands and closed her eyes. 
 Tears ran over her flushed cheeks and splashed 
 on the linen cover. A gentle knocking came at 
 the door; Pajarita rose quickly and wiped the 
 tears from her face. 
 
 Marta entered with a covered tray. Her keen 
 eyes noted the girl s sad face. 
 
 " Marta no think seiiorita up. Here little 
 breakfast." 
 
 She uncovered the tray and poured into a cup 
 the thick, brown chocolate, then covered the top 
 of it with foamy cream. " Seiiorita, drink quick. 
 Get cold no good." 
 
 Pajarita tasted the beverage. " It is delicious, 
 Marta. I know you made it. No one can make 
 chocolate so deliciously as you." 
 
 Marta did not show her pleasure, but Pajarita 
 felt it. 
 
 A tapping at the grating interrupted them. 
 Marta went to the opening to find Juan s dark 
 face peering up at her. She waved him off. He 
 persisted. She cast a few Indian imprecations 
 over his raven head, which Juan ignored by call 
 ing in a familiar key, 
 
 " Seiiorita Pajarita." 
 
 Immediately Pajarita went to the grating. 
 The expectant expression on the youth s face
 
 AT THE GRATING 187 
 
 changed to joy. He handed through the open 
 ing a bouquet of golden poppies and, as she took 
 them, he slipped into her hand a folded bit of 
 paper. Pajarita thanked him, then went to her 
 toilet table and seated herself. 
 
 Slowly unfolding the note written in English, 
 she read: 
 
 Senorita : 
 
 The tiny golden hearts of these lovely flowers, are going 
 to plead for me. If they win your forgiveness for a rash 
 rudeness, for which I am heartily repentant, return one 
 poppy by bearer, that I may receive from its little heart 
 your pardon. 
 
 Anxiously, 
 
 JOHN ASTERLY. 
 
 Pajarita s face glowed. When she finished 
 reading the note she folded it quickly and 
 tucked it beneath her blouse, then looked at the 
 flowers. They were lovely, as he had said. The 
 sturdy blossoms held themselves erect and shone 
 with their own gold and the early dew that still 
 nestled within their depths. Slowly she drew 
 one from the others ; hesitated, then going to the 
 grating tossed it out to Juan. Handing the 
 flowers to Marta, Pajarita asked her to place 
 them in water. 
 
 Pajarita was in the patio feeding the birds and 
 caring for the flowers when Angelica, radiant 
 with cheer, came to call. Pajarita finished her 
 task, then, with arms about each other, the two 
 chose a secluded corner and talked over the ball.
 
 188 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 Angelica would have praised Pajarita s dance, 
 but Pajarita silenced her by asking other ques 
 tions. Word for word Angelica went over her 
 tete-a-tete with John Asterly. They laughed and 
 chatted until Marta came into view in search of 
 Pajarita. 
 
 " Seriorita, master, he here ! " 
 
 Pajarita was overjoyed, " Oh, I am so glad . 
 Go, Marta, and learn if I may see him ! " 
 
 The Indian shook her head, " No see. Hucha, 
 busy with big chief ! " 
 
 The senoritas laughed. 
 
 " Marta, you mean," Angelica corrected her, 
 " he is busy with big English chief, eh ? " 
 
 " No understand ! " Marta cast back as she hur 
 ried toward the casa. 
 
 " Oh, Pajarita, there is to be a bull-fight now. 
 Brother said this morning that if the Governor 
 returned to-day the tournament would take place. 
 Are you not glad? " 
 
 " Yes, Angelica." 
 
 " Cielo! My heart is all a flutter. Just think, 
 Pajarita, what a gay time it will be, with the 
 music, the officers in uniform guarding the en 
 trance and escorting you with great dignity to 
 your seats, and Pajarita ! You must wear your 
 gayest gown for the English will be there and 
 the toreadors with their brilliant costumes and 
 their medals. They will come into the arena in 
 this manner " Here Angelica strutted before 
 Pajarita with great pomp, making Pajarita laugh 
 merrily. " And," she continued, " the ferocious,
 
 AT THE GRATING 189 
 
 bull will be admitted then, thus the noble 
 matador with drawn sword gallantly advances." 
 Angelica with her closed parasol in hand strode 
 forward and lunged at the imaginary beast. 
 
 " Dios! Caramba! " Pajarita jumped aside 
 to avoid the threatening point. 
 
 " He is slain by the noble matador." Angel 
 ica s acting flushed her face. Her rmmickry was 
 so perfect that Pajarita shrieked with laughter. 
 When she could speak she put her arm about 
 Angelica. 
 
 " You are a good mimic, Angelica, but truly I 
 am sorry for the brave bulls. What a pity that 
 they must be tortured to please the spectators. 
 If it could be arranged so that the bull need not 
 be harmed! Do you not think that would be 
 better? " 
 
 " The saints above! " It was Angelica s turn 
 to gasp with laughter. " One would think you 
 were a child, Pajarita. The bulls are senseless 
 things to be vanquished for the Spaniard s 
 pleasure and the brave toreador s glory." 
 
 " Nevertheless, Angelica, I think the bulls are 
 also brave. And I cannot help feeling very sorry 
 for them. I do wish they did not have to be 
 injured. Twould be a nobler game then, I 
 should say." 
 
 " Cielo! I have no patience with such a simple 
 thought. You would have the bull tossed about 
 like a pampered baby then put into a cradle and 
 soothed to sleep." 
 
 " There, there, Angelica! Do not let us argue
 
 over the subject. Come with me; I would have 
 your advice about what I shall wear." 
 
 With arms about each other they entered the 
 house and then went to Pajarita s room. Im 
 mediately Angelica s eyes noted the glowing pop 
 pies. 
 
 " Are you so fond of those simple flowers you 
 would have them in your room? " 
 
 " Yes, I have always loved them." 
 
 " Hum ! I favor the rose. Where did you get 
 these, Pajarita? " 
 
 A flush spread over Pajarita s face. 
 
 "I Juan brought them to me." 
 
 " I could have guessed that, Pajarita. None 
 but an Indian would have given you these simple 
 flowers." 
 
 Pajarita did not answer. She did not wish 
 to arouse Angelica s ever-ready wit for teasing 
 by telling her of the incident. 
 
 " Where is the gown you will wear? " asked 
 Angelica. 
 
 An hour was spent over the subject of dress 
 and then Angelica hurried away, promising to 
 call later to accompany Pajarita to the Plaza de 
 Toros. 
 
 Just before the casa quieted for siesta Pajarita 
 had a few words with Don Jose. He was pleased 
 to see her. 
 
 " Pajarita mia, I am very happy to be home 
 again." 
 
 " Daddy-don, you are not so happy as I am be 
 cause you are again home."
 
 AT THE GRATING 191 
 
 He smiled, " Pajarita, you are a generous little 
 girl." 
 
 " No, daddy, I am very selfish, when it comes 
 to you. No one loves you as I do." 
 
 He lifted her face and looked into the depths 
 of her lovely eyes, " Mia dear, do you mean 
 that?" 
 
 "Yes, daddy-don." 
 
 His hands dropped from her face and he seated 
 himself. 
 
 "You are very tired, daddy-don?" 
 
 " Yes, Pajarita. I should forego siesta, but I 
 shall have a long evening before me; so it is bet 
 ter that I get a little rest. You will go with 
 Donna Sofia to the Plaza de Toros. I will go 
 with my staff. After the tournament is over sev 
 eral senors will dine here with me before a busi 
 ness meeting in my study. So I shall not see 
 you again before morning." 
 
 " Adios, daddy-don." 
 
 She waved her hand back at him as she left 
 th^e room. He sat quite motionless for several 
 moments after she had left him. A pleased smile 
 played about his kindly mouth and a tender ex 
 pression lighted his eyes as he arose and went 
 to his sleeping apartment. 
 
 The wives and daughters of the staff officers 
 called for Donna Sofia and Pajarita and together 
 they went to the Plaza de Toros and were es 
 corted by the soldiers to their boxes. A great 
 crowd had preceded them there and already the 
 tiers of seats vibrated with many voices.
 
 192 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 Above the large circular pit, and resting on the 
 wall that formed its depth, were the boxes re 
 served for the Spanish families of the Presidio 
 and dignitaries of the church. The tiers of seats 
 above these were for the community at large 
 these mostly Neophytes and Indians, some of 
 pure blood and others who had intermarried with 
 the Spaniards. 
 
 After Senora Sofia and Pajarita were seated 
 in the box next to the Governor s, Pajarita 
 looked about curiously. In the box on the op 
 posite side of the Governor s were seated the 
 guests of honor. For a moment Pajarita 
 watched John Asterly. He was deeply intent on 
 the scene about him. From one thing to another 
 his eyes roamed, apparently taking in every 
 detail. Pajarita watched him shyly. Would his 
 eyes ever turn her way? Her heart gave a queer 
 bound at sight of the genuine pleasure in his eyes 
 at sight of her. Drawing her rebosa closer about 
 her face, she turned her eyes quickly from his 
 direction and became interested in another scene. 
 
 At exactly four o clock a flourish of trumpets 
 announced the Governor, who came in full dress 
 uniform with his staff. Immediately the na 
 tional hymn, " Viva, viva la constitution " 
 ("Live forever the King and the laws"), was 
 played by the band and every person stood with 
 uncovered head. All took their seats to the 
 music of " Guerra! guerra! I bellici trombi." 
 
 Ladies in brilliant costumes, officers and sol 
 diers in full uniform, and the Indians in bright
 
 AT THE GRATING 193 
 
 colors made a gay picture, brightened by the un 
 clouded sheen of sun and deep blue sky. 
 
 A trumpet blast and the toreadors entered the 
 arena. First came the star of the evening, a 
 handsome matador in superb dress of blue and 
 gold. Following him, on foot, were two other 
 matadors carrying unsheathed swords ; then came 
 the boMderilleros, three in number, carrying 
 barbed darts, their tops festooned with gayly col 
 ored ribbons, or fireworks; then followed two 
 picadores mounted on prancing horses and hold 
 ing in their right hands long lances ; and behind 
 them came the chulo and capo- who teased the 
 bull with bright-colored scarfs. 
 
 Around the arena they marched while the 
 music played and the spectators cheered. An 
 other trumpet called and the toreadors divided, 
 one-half to the right and the other to the left, 
 leaving an avenue between them. Three signals 
 from the trumpet and the gate before the stalls 
 was thrown open. The angry bull sprang into 
 the enclosure. Half way across the sandy arena 
 it paused with affrighted eyes, its great neck 
 arched high, nostrils extended and massive body 
 poised with superb dignity. 
 
 " Thrice sounded the clarion ; lo ! the signal falls, 
 
 The den expands, and expectation mute 
 
 Gapes round the silent circle s peopled walls. 
 
 Bounds with one lashing spring the mighty brute 
 
 And, wildly staring, spurns with sounding foot 
 
 The sand, nor blindly rushes on his foe; 
 
 Here, there, he points his threatening front, to suit
 
 His first attack, wide waving to and fro 
 
 His angry tail; red rolls his eye s dilated glow." 
 
 The ciilo and capa ran forward, unfurling their 
 brilliant scarfs before the troubled eyes. With 
 lowered head the animal started after the retreat 
 ing figures just as a picador rode before his toss 
 ing horns with lowered lance. The bull con 
 fronted the threatening spear that lunged and 
 left its crimson mark. Furious, the bull with all 
 its mighty strength attacked the prancing horse, 
 which with its rider rolled in the sands. The 
 picador almost instantly recovered his equili 
 brium, and darted aside to mount another horse 
 the one he rode lay helpless, its side lashed 
 open from shoulder to thigh while the ban- 
 derilleros, agile as the darts they threw, drew 
 the attention of the bull. Lights were added to 
 the fireworks attached to the ends of the darts, 
 and the bull, amid a maze of sparks and burning 
 ribbons, and maddened to distraction by bleed 
 ing wounds, lashed his tail and rolled his red, 
 dilated eyes. 
 
 Eound and round he dashed wildly, leaving 
 behind him a bloody trail. Frenzied, he plunged 
 blindly at the high-walled barrier and was driven 
 back by the loud shouts and waving hats of the 
 spectators. Teased, tormented, crazed, until at 
 last utterly exhausted, he was driven to bay. 
 
 Amidst great cheering from the elated throng 
 the matador with nice skill dealt him the mortal 
 blow. The bull, with a courage that nothing but 
 death could conquer, struggled blindly to his
 
 AT THE GRATING 195 
 
 feet, lunged forward at nothing then fell. 
 
 Deafening cheers echoed round the arena. In 
 the mictet of the lively music two horsemen, rid 
 ing abreast, entered the arena with trailing ropes 
 which they fastened around the bull. The body 
 was then quickly dragged from view. 
 
 Pajarita heaved a sigh of relief when the 
 tournament ended. She liked better that which 
 followed. A display of beautiful fireworks, 
 lighted from the center of the arena, followed the 
 contests. Enthusiastic cheering greeted each 
 sputtering, fleeting piece, but, withal, a calmness 
 had settled over the entire throng. The wild up 
 roarious ecstasy had gone, and in place of the 
 frenzied clammering for " Guerra! guerra! " 
 (War! war!) there followed a tranquillity that 
 in itself was a calumet of peace, though the calm 
 that was apparent might have been but the after 
 math of a satisfied thirst. 
 
 As the people were leaving the arena John 
 Asterly made his way to Pajarita s side. Donna 
 Sofia was close beside her and with alert eyes 
 noticed him almost as soon as did Pajarita. The 
 young man spoke in a friendly manner and had 
 just barely time to slip unnoticed a scrap of 
 paper into her hand as Sofia, with an indignant 
 scowl at the audacious stranger, thrust Pajarita 
 before her and hurried away. John Asterly 
 joined Sir Vancouver, with whom were Don Jose 
 and the Comandante. Pajarita and Donna Sofia, 
 in company with the other women, were carried 
 homeward in squeaking, wheeled carretas.
 
 CHAPTER XX 
 
 A TREATY AND A PLEDGE 
 
 THE women of Don Jose s casa worked quickly 
 and anxiously until dinner was served. There 
 were ten senors, including the Governor, to be 
 fed and Donna Sofia was highly concerned to 
 give them the best the house contained along with 
 her most careful efforts. Pajarita was allowed 
 to arrange the table and this was a source of de 
 light to her. From the patio she brought clus 
 ters of half -opened roses, and with these and 
 sprays of feathery ferns she arranged a center 
 piece. She placed the rare silver and the fine 
 linen napkins at the proper places while giving 
 instructions to the Indian maids. 
 
 " At the head of the table the Senor Governor 
 will sit and at his right and at his left you will 
 seat the holy Padre President and the honorable 
 guest, Senor Vancouver. Make no mistakes and 
 work quietly. Here, next to the Padre, the Eng 
 lish Captain and his mate will sit; then beside 
 them and opposite, the Governor s staff will take 
 their seats and the last seat on this side will be 
 occupied by the learned and respected licenciado, 
 who knows everything about the great laws ; and 
 at the end here, where there is much space, the 
 Comandante." 
 
 106
 
 A TREATY AND A PLEDGE 197 
 
 After the seiiors had finished the delicious din 
 ner they went to Don Jose s study to drink their 
 coffee and wine and enjoy their smoking while 
 they talked. There were varied types gathered 
 together here. Don Miguel Iturbide was the. 
 Californias judge. He was past fifty, keen and 
 intelligent. He belonged to the Supremo, Corte 
 of the City of Mexico. Many years he had known 
 Don Jose and on Don Jose s last voyage from 
 Mexico to the Californias Don Iturbide accom 
 panied him. With great faith in the Governor 
 and in the future of the Californias he abided 
 through choice in the land he deemed a paradise 
 Espanola Cielo, He was of great aid to the 
 Governor, who 1 consulted him on many weighty 
 matters. 
 
 The men who smoked in the simple office and 
 study were all men of learning, travel, and wide 
 experience. All, except the Padre President, had 
 had military training. All had met with the 
 hardships of life and each one had on many oc 
 casions shared his last morsel with fellow com 
 panions. All had competed with the sport of 
 fortune on stormy seas, in crude sailing ships 
 meagerly supplied with the necessities of life, 
 and all had received of life s comforts, had eaten 
 at banquet tables with nobility, grandees and 
 with state dignitaries, and had in turn praised, 
 flattered and enjoyed. At the present time they 
 were all living the simple life and the experience 
 was developing the strongest characteristics 
 within them.
 
 198 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 The conversation drifted from travel and ex 
 perience in England, and Spain, to Russia. Sir 
 Vancouver had on one of his many voyages dis 
 covered an Island adjacent to the British Amer 
 ican coast line somewhere midway between As 
 toria and Sitka. He had given it his own name 
 with much satisfaction. This brought the Eng 
 lish into territory that Russia had begrudged her, 
 because of its proximity to the Behring Strait; 
 an easier and shorter route into Siberia. Rus 
 sia had her eye on the Californias. If she could 
 build colonies in the Californias it would not be 
 long before supplies could be carried into Siberia 
 by way of the Pacific and the Behring Strait, 
 thus making a northern port a trading place for 
 furs, hides and grains. 
 
 Vancouver had sailed into Alaskan ports and 
 had traveled some distance into Russian posses 
 sions. He understood just what it would mean 
 to Russia to gain possession of this tropical coun 
 try. He was determined that England should 
 have the first right of choice, and then Russia, 
 or Spain, either one for that matter, could gather 
 up what had fallen from England s parsimonious 
 hands. Vancouver on the morrow was to set sail 
 for waters bordering on Vancouver, Alaska, and 
 perhaps go northward to the Strait and with all 
 these matters in mind he discussed with these 
 men Russia s ambitions, needs, prospects and 
 present conditions. 
 
 He drew Ms thin lips together firmly before 
 speaking,
 
 A TREATY AND A PLEDGE 
 
 " If I mistake not, Russia has made a fairly 
 good ingress for a beginning." 
 
 " A good beginning very often makes a poor 
 ending, seiior," Don Jose answered, " especially 
 so when the beginning is established on false 
 foundations." 
 
 The Comandante spoke vehemently, " They are 
 vipers of the worst variety, and tis difficult, 
 sometimes, to detect a green reptile in a clover 
 bed, but, caramba,! their thieving greediness will 
 lead them into tangled webs." 
 
 Sir Vancouver smiled. 
 
 " That may be w r ith regard to the furs they 
 are carrying from your shores, but how about 
 their ambition to form colonies in the Cali- 
 fornias? They need the foodstuffs they can 
 raise here for their northern ports. They could 
 ship supplies from here into Sitka and from there 
 it could be sent by way of the Behring Strait far 
 into Siberia. Twould indeed be a Godsend to 
 the Russians to enter the Californias." 
 
 Again the Comandante interrupted. 
 
 " Dios! It might be a * Godsend to enter, 
 but, by the powers that be, it would be a hell bent 
 to destruction for them to abide here ! " 
 
 " Quite true, quite true ! Seiior Comandante, 
 but " the Englishman rubbed his palms -to 
 gether briskly, " that remains to be seen. They 
 are already beginning to develop their well-laid 
 plans. Along the northern shore of the Pacific 
 small settlements are springing up as mushrooms 
 over night. Time alone can tell their future."
 
 200 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " That is quite true, also, Sir Vancouver," the 
 Governor answered. " Time alone can tell the 
 future and for that very reason the present time 
 is the propitious opportunity for the Spaniard 
 and the English, as well as for the Russian. 
 The Californias must be protected from thieving 
 invaders. If not through fair means, then 
 through, what the enemy might term, unfair. 
 We are rapidly approaching a time when we 
 would have commerce with other nations, but, 
 where is that nation which would not resent 
 stealthy ingress with no other motive than un 
 principled pillage. The Californians are willing 
 to share in an exchange of benefits, however, 
 through the same ways and means and by the 
 same uniformity of custom. As I have said be 
 fore, the Californias are but a wing, isolated, 
 as it were, from its parent nation, therefore, our 
 rights must be protected that they be not looted 
 and we left naked. The Californians wish you, 
 Sir Vancouver, in the presence of these Spaniards 
 and Englishmen, to sign a treaty favoring and 
 respecting all rights of reciprocity between the 
 Californias and England." 
 
 "What pledge have you in my signature for 
 England s consent to abide by it? " asked Sir 
 Vancouver. 
 
 The Governor tossed aside his half -smoked cig 
 arette. 
 
 " Your attitude should be England s. If, as I 
 am led to believe, England bears you much 
 gratitude for lands added to her possessions, your
 
 A TREATY AND A PLEDGE 201 
 
 signature and word will be honored by her ap 
 proval. England is haughty proud. She cites 
 her methods as examples for the world. Think 
 you she would embarrass you, her representative, 
 and thereby, herself, by cancelling your pledge? " 
 
 Several seconds of silence passed before Sir 
 Vancouver spoke ; then it was with studied query. 
 
 " Governor Allegmissio, just what do you ex 
 pect from this treaty? " 
 
 Don Jose did not hesitate in his reply. 
 
 " Senor, first, the open destruction of maps 
 you have drawn of our fortresses, our ports, and 
 our resources ; secondly, unfailing probity in ful 
 filling to the exact letter the terms of the treaty." 
 
 " Friend, I shall while on my voyage arrange a 
 treaty. When I return this way to pick up John 
 Asterly I pledge myself to sign it according to 
 your wishes." 
 
 Don Jose rose to his feet and locked his hands 
 at his back. His eyes were almost closed. 
 Thoughtfully he looked at the floor and did not 
 remove his glance to Sir Vancouver until after 
 he had spoken his name. 
 
 " Sir Vancouver, I deeply appreciate your of 
 fer, but, anticipating our need, and having at 
 hand one who has long been versed in matters of 
 law, I have had Don Iturbide draw up a treaty 
 that in every respect adheres unequivocally to an 
 equity to which any nation should be proud to 
 add her seal." 
 
 " Zounds ! Pardon but, senors, you have 
 taken matters entirely into your own hands ! "
 
 202 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " Just so, friend/ the Governor replied, " why 
 not, when the matters so vitally concern us? " 
 
 Sir Vancouver rose to his feet. He was visibly 
 nettled. 
 
 " Permit me to see this treaty." 
 
 Don Iturbide took from an inner pocket the 
 document, separated a copy from the original 
 and handed it to the Englishman. Scrutiniz- 
 ingly he perused the contents, then handed it to 
 the captain and mate of the frigate, who in turn 
 handed it back to the navigator. Without an 
 other word Sir Vancouver went to the table, took 
 the quill and wrote : 
 
 " Under the seal of England s honorable pleni 
 potentiary, confidant and navigator to the reign 
 ing King of England, I, Sir Vancouver, in the 
 presence of other countrymen and Spanish repre 
 sentatives, hereby swear that the English Gov 
 ernment will abide by the above agreement." 
 
 Having signed the paper he handed the quill to 
 the other two Englishmen who followed his ex 
 ample. The Padre President then came forward, 
 and extending the cross with his left hand, with 
 his right, called on heaven to witness the seals. 
 Each man in the room added his signature to the 
 parchment then all knelt while the reverend 
 Padre prayed. Then each man, with hand on the 
 holy cross, swore his allegiance by the word of 
 God. 
 
 With great satisfaction Don Jose poured the 
 rare wine; all drank a toast to the future Cali- 
 fornias, and the immutable and perpetual sue-
 
 A TREATY AND A PLEDGE 203 
 
 cess of the treaty. It was a solemn and edifying 
 occasion. Business matters were then put aside, 
 and all enjoyed to the fullest extent the sociabil 
 ity of good fellowship, mingled with excellent 
 tobacco and rare, old wine. 
 
 Don Jose was at last alone. Very quietly he 
 sat. When alone, or with those he esteemed, 
 Don Jose was not the austere, unbending man 
 of the world. His apparent inclemency melted 
 into a kindliness and an almost boyish simplicity 
 that gave him a great charm. It was this sim 
 ple, human quality that secured him deep friend 
 ships and that counted for absolute sincerity in 
 his attachments. Of few words usually he at 
 times was almost taciturn. In the presence of 
 others he could be entirely aloof. Always me 
 thodically thoughtful, when he did speak, his 
 conversation was to the point. 
 
 A light knocking at his study door aroused 
 him. Before he had time to answer the door 
 opened the width of a head and a bright face 
 peeped in. 
 
 " Daddy-don are you alone? " 
 
 " Very much so, Pajarita." 
 
 She slipped into the room and closed the door 
 behind her. " I have waited very long for your 
 distinguished guests to go." 
 
 " I had no idea you were anxious for them to 
 depart, Pajarita, or I might have hurried them 
 off!" 
 
 Pajarita laughed, " I was wishing I might give 
 some hint to that effect,"
 
 204 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 Both caught the spirit of the moment. 
 
 " Come sit here and tell me what keeps you 
 up so late something has gone wrong? " 
 
 " Certainly not ! I simply wished to chat with 
 you for a little time." She took the offered seat, 
 spread out her full skirt, then smiled at Don 
 Jose. " I am glad you are here ! " 
 
 He, too, smiled. " It was very good of you to 
 come here to tell me that, Pajarita." 
 
 " Oh ! but I could not help it you remember 
 I had but a moment to greet you after your 
 return, so well, I just had to see you again 
 before I went to bed ; but you have had a long 
 day and are weary? " 
 
 " Not at all ! The day has been long, but most 
 satisfactory; then, too, I had a rest that quite 
 refreshed me." 
 
 " Daddy " Pajarita looked at her folded 
 hands thoughtfully. The gems in the ring she 
 had received from Marie sparkled in the candle 
 light. " You have been very busy over impor 
 tant matters? " 
 
 Don Jose studied the girl. She was very win 
 some in her simple frock and her simplicity ap 
 pealed to him. He wondered if she were still 
 all child. Her next question negatived his men 
 tal query. 
 
 " They are of great moment to you these 
 matters are they not? " 
 
 " Very ! " 
 
 " Paddy dear, would you deem me impertinent
 
 A TREATY AND A PLEDGE 205 
 
 if I were to ask you to tell me about the things 
 that interest you so vitally? " 
 
 " Not impertinent but matters of business 
 would not be of interest to you." 
 
 "No o, why?" 
 
 " You are a woman almost a child." 
 
 " Pardon me, but I am very sorry to hear you 
 say that. Why cannot women appreciate the 
 things that interest men. I want to know about 
 your ambitions. I have known for a long time 
 that you were laboring over questions of great 
 importance." 
 
 The man was truly astonished. " But, Paja- 
 rita, what makes you think so? " 
 
 " Something ! I cannot explain only I have 
 felt it and I have wished " 
 
 "What, Pajarita?" 
 
 " That I were not a simple girl." 
 
 Don Jose placed the tips of his fingers together, 
 then studied the arch they made. 
 
 " Pajarita mine, I would not have you other 
 than you are ; in fact, I would keep you a simple 
 girl always, if I could, but even now I find you a 
 woman." 
 
 " Then, daddy dear, your secrets, please." 
 
 Her request touched him strangely. 
 
 A singing voice, rich, melodious, came to them 
 through the open grating. Pajarita had heard 
 many lovers serenading their beloved ones, but 
 never had she heard a voice so beautiful. There 
 was a silence in the study, as both listened. Don
 
 206 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 Jose, watching Pajarita, noted the wonder in 
 her face. 
 
 " Don Charles," he volunteered. 
 
 " Ah " Pajarita smiled, " serenading An 
 gelica? " 
 
 Don Jose nodded. 
 
 Pajarita went to the grating and leaned her 
 face against the cool bars. She could feel her 
 friend s joy she knew when the singing 
 stopped for a moment that Don Charles had re 
 ceived his reward. Mentally she saw him press 
 the thick, richly-scented rose petals to his lips, 
 then again the pleading tones floated on the 
 night. Before Pajarita was aware Don Jose 
 stood at her side. 
 
 " Pajarita mine, you asked for my secret? " 
 
 She turned quickly to him and her eyes were 
 filled with expectancy. 
 
 "You would tell me?" 
 
 " Yes, everything ! The deepest and most 
 precious of my life." 
 
 Floating on the still night came these words 
 to them : 
 
 " Oh ! come to me ! 
 
 My soul is lonely, tis sighing for thee! 
 
 Mine eyes are weeping, thy face to see! 
 
 My heart is longing near thee to be ! 
 
 Sweetheart ! 
 
 My soul is sighing and pining for thee ! " 
 
 " Pajarita," Don Jose s voice was low and very 
 tender, " the song has told you my secret."
 
 A TREATY AND A PLEDGE 207 
 
 The girl looked into the man s face with the 
 eyes of a wondering child, then, as the truth 
 dawned in her heart, she looked away into the 
 darkness. 
 
 " Pajarita, could you make my soul glad? " 
 The singer had changed from the passionate 
 words to a simple melody : 
 
 " Stars of the summer night ! 
 Far in yon azure deeps, 
 Hide, hide your golden light! 
 She sleeps! 
 My lady sleeps ! 
 Sleeps!" 
 
 Tears came to Pajarita s eyes. She choked 
 them back and turned from the grating. 
 
 " Daddy-don, there is nothing in all the world 
 I would not do to make your soul glad." 
 
 He took her in his arms while the voice of the 
 singer came to her as though it were her lover 
 singing. 
 
 As the last strains of the lovely melody died 
 away Don Jose led Pajarita to a seat, then knelt 
 on one knee before her. 
 
 " Pajarita, are you happy? " 
 
 " If I have not in all my life been happy I 
 should be now ! " 
 
 "Why?" 
 
 " There is not in all this world a lover so good, 
 so kind." 
 
 He bent his head and kissed her hand. 
 
 " Pajarita, my love ! "
 
 208 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 She seemed to herself to be in a dream. She 
 had not tried to think about her own feelings. 
 She thought only of Don Jose s. Now, as she 
 looked into his yearning, tender eyes, a great 
 longing came to her that she might make this man 
 truly happy. To do that and in this way repay 
 some of her great debt she would joyfully give 
 her life. She put her hands on each side of his 
 face and drew it closer, then pressed her lips 
 to his. His eyes lighted with joy. He took her 
 hands in his, then noticed her ring. 
 
 " My love, that is a very singular ring." 
 
 She slipped it off. Smiling she turned it 
 around and around; then, taking his hand, she 
 kissed the small finger, hesitated, then said : 
 
 " Will you have me put it on your finger, seal 
 ing it there w r ith the words of an Indian love 
 legend? " 
 
 " Yes, Pajarita." 
 
 " The words must be spoken silently, but I will 
 tell you this : you must not remove the ring from 
 your finger until until I tell you you may." 
 
 She closed her eyes; for several seconds kept 
 silent, then slipped the ring on his finger. 
 " Now, daddy -love, I must go. Good-night ! " 
 
 She stood at the door. He felt he could not 
 let her go like this. 
 
 "Pajarita!" 
 
 His actual joy in all the past had been so 
 limited, his sentiments so suppressed, that he 
 had never dreamed such a moment could be his. 
 Never had he loved before and now he loved
 
 A TREATY AND A PLEDGE 209 
 
 with all his soul. Holding her in his arms he 
 closed his eyes. He could not talk, he could 
 only feel, and thank his God. 
 
 In another moment she had gone and he was 
 alone alone with his love his great love. It 
 was greater in that it was pure, strong, unfet 
 tered. Long did he try, as he sat there during 
 the quiet hours of dawn, to think, to understand 
 this great thing that had befallen him, but it re 
 mained unfathomable.
 
 CHAPTER XXI 
 
 THE DEDICATION OP THE CHAPEL 
 
 THE mysterious dull gray of the passing night 
 still enveloped the Mission when the bells rang 
 for rising. A wet fog hung over shadowy ob 
 jects and its murk obliterated the stars that 
 might yet have been seen, and might have given, 
 had they been permitted, a faint ray of cheer to 
 a gloomy landscape. 
 
 Inside the dull adobe buildings the dismal as 
 pect was intensified by the dark and the damp 
 chillness. Priests and neophytes, with the aid 
 of lighted candles, hurried about their tasks, 
 inspired by a desire for warmth and the ex 
 pectancy of an unusual event close at hand. 
 
 An almost sanctified calm pervaded the shad 
 owy corridors and seemed, as it were, to soften 
 the quickened tread and impress upon each one 
 the solemnity of the event that was to make the 
 day a momentous one in their conventual lives. 
 
 Candles were lighted in the chapel and a short 
 mass was chanted with trembling murmurs 
 amidst the chilly air 1 and faint, ray-streaked 
 gloom. 
 
 During breakfast the dawn arose and opened 
 the doors of morning for the entrance of a glori 
 ous day. The first rays of light scattered the 
 
 210
 
 THE DEDICATION 211 
 
 obscuring murkiness; the sunbeams transfigured 
 the gloom of the fog-soaked earth into the radi 
 ance of a jewel-crowned morning; the sun scin 
 tillated and cheered, so that all nature rejoiced 
 after her baptism; a fitting preparation for the 
 holy dedication that was to take place. 
 
 The El Carmel chapel was the pride of the 
 Mission. It was a monument to the founder of 
 all the missions, Padre Junipero Serra, the 
 courageous heart who trusted in the power of 
 God so implicitly that, even when the seemingly 
 bravest failed in courage, he stood firm in his 
 conviction that a higher power than an earthly 
 King had commissioned him, and would direct 
 and protect his undertaking. Because of this 
 faith no hardships, privations nor sufferings 
 could prevent him from establishing and promot 
 ing his holy mission. Others could claim the 
 land for Spain, he, Padre Serra, would convert 
 the heathen soul to Christianity and begin a 
 chain of missions that would eventually encircle 
 the Californias. 
 
 Beginning at San Diego and Monterey, Padre 
 Serra accomplished this undertaking through 
 sanctity, immutable assurance, and a rigid 
 martyrdom that silenced all self-seeking. A 
 temporary chapel was erected at Monterey, then 
 moved to El Carmel, five miles distant, shortly 
 afterward, because of wiser foresight. The old 
 chapel s usefulness was now over; it would be 
 torn down so as not to deface the new structure 
 that was destined to stand as a monument over
 
 212 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 the last resting place of a saintly man, and to 
 memorialize a cause he hoped would endure 
 through the ages. 
 
 Ten o clock drew near. The morning paid the 
 chapel homage, on this consecrated day, with its 
 clear air that carried far the peals of silvery 
 bells, rung for the first time from the tower. 
 The sunbeams danced through the widely-opened 
 doors into the dim interior. They lighted to 
 brilliancy the star that rested above the entrance, 
 which was typical of the star of Bethlehem, in 
 that it was to lead the hearts of the people to the 
 altar of holiness. 
 
 As the people entered the chapel they passed 
 through an avenue formed of neophytes, each 
 one holding a lighted candle in his hand. At the 
 entrance were grouped the priests, and back of 
 them the vested choir-boys. Inside the chapel 
 the people waited for a moment, spellbound by 
 the strains of sacred music that filled the in 
 terior with a heavenly harmony. The sweet, 
 unfamiliar music exalted their thought, and 
 drew from their hearts a silent prayer. 
 
 Pajarita, seated beside Don Jose, reached for 
 his hand and he noted that hers was cold. 
 Donna Sofia sat with closed eyes, and Seuarita 
 Marie, seated between her father and mother, re 
 sembled a beautiful nun in her raptness and 
 purity of expression. Sir Vancouver, John As- 
 terly and the men of the frigate, sat together. 
 Other families of the Presidio occupied their 
 customary places. A holy calm ; broken only by
 
 THE DEDICATION 213 
 
 the undertones of the organ, prevailed. Sud 
 denly the bells began to ring. The choir-boys, 
 singing, marched up the aisle, followed by the 
 priests. Inside the chancel-rail they separated 
 and entered the choir, while the Padre President 
 proceeded to the altar, where he knelt. The 
 neophytes filed into the chapel and took their 
 places. 
 
 The chapel had been decorated with garlands 
 of pine, spruce and trailing vines. Ferns were 
 banked in corners and from the feathery sprays 
 peeped Castilian roses, fresh, and delicately 
 hued, and fragrant. The tapering flames of the 
 tall, yellow candles, burning before the taber 
 nacle and on the altar, threw a mild light over 
 the somber interior, giving a sense of mystery 
 which, with the music, inspired a feeling that 
 was half awe. In the soft glow of the candles 
 the figure of the Crucifixion, above the altar, 
 the images of the Patron Saint and the Virgin 
 and Child, were mellowed yet enhanced by the 
 dimness and the mysterious atmosphere of 
 sacred music, the resinous fragrance of the pine 
 and spruce, the burning incense and holy wor 
 ship. 
 
 The dedicatory prayers began. At first, the 
 chanting that came from the altar was a hardly 
 audible murmur accompanied, as it were, by 
 heavenly voices, so sweet were the tones of the 
 organ mingling with the Voices of the singing 
 youths. The Padre President s chanting in 
 creased to a crescendo always followed by the
 
 214 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 rhythmic responses of priests and the undertoned 
 melody of the exquisite strains that at last lulled 
 the vocal worship to silence. Then, for a mo 
 ment, nothing could be heard but the joyful 
 pealing of the chapel chimes. 
 
 Still under the influence of the service, the 
 sacred atmosphere and the music that followed 
 them the people stood outside the building in 
 groups. The bracing air, wafted, pure and in 
 vigorating, from the near sea, broke the deep 
 spell which had bound the worshipers, and they 
 greeted each other blithely and soon were talk 
 ing of the games, racing and the barbecue that 
 was to take place that day. The day would be 
 auspicious for the neophytes. Already they had 
 suspended the dressed steer above red-hot embers, 
 and while they waited for the feast of delicious 
 beef they danced around the fire-glow and sang 
 weird chants to the accompaniment of tom-toms, 
 symbols, and queer flutes. 
 
 Sir Vancouver had arranged everything so that 
 he could embark on his voyage after the dedi 
 catory service. Outside the chapel he, his cap 
 tain and mates, and the Spaniards of the Pre 
 sidio waited for the Padre President to lay aside 
 his vestments and join them. The reverend 
 priest was delayed, but not because of his vest 
 ments. He had in store for these men a surprise 
 which just now drew his attention to the dining- 
 room where a feast was spread. 
 
 The Padre s face was lighted with the pleas 
 ure of his secret when he joined the group.
 
 THE DEDICATION 215 
 
 Nothing gave this good man more genuine satis 
 faction than to have his friend break bread and 
 sip wine with him and incidentally revel in 
 a good story. He had looked forward to this 
 last day with his English friend with much 
 anticipation, for seldom had the Padre met 
 with one more intensely interesting than Sir 
 Vancouver. 
 
 When the latter would have kissed the ex 
 tended hand and bade the priest a special 
 good-by, because of the high regard and sincere 
 esteem he held for him, the Padre President 
 smilingly detained him. 
 
 " Not yet, good friend. Tis not the time now 
 for farewells. They come in their order but 
 there is something yet to precede them. One 
 more little draught together, then the adieux can 
 be said with lighter hearts." 
 
 With stately grace Sir Vancouver bowed and 
 thanked the Padre. Twas an opportunity he 
 embraced with visible pleasure. All followed 
 the Padre President to the Mission dining-room, 
 where they were soon making merry with wit 
 and story, while enjoying the delectable food and 
 wine. 
 
 The richly-gowned senoras lingered to relate 
 and listen to bits of gossip before departing for 
 the Presidio in their carretas. Scattered over 
 the space before the chapel were the young folk 
 of the Presidio. Senoritas Marie, Pajarita, An 
 gelica and Jacinta the last, a friend of the 
 girls stood together with Captain Sol, Don
 
 216 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 Luis Fages and three other caballeros, as close 
 by as Spanish propriety would permit. 
 
 Already the savory scent of the roasting beef 
 was wafted to them from the barbecue by a 
 gentle breeze. The mass had been long and 
 breakfast had been eaten at an early hour. An 
 gelica was hungry and the odor was appetizing. 
 She turned abruptly to Marie, who had been 
 coquetting with one of the Presidio officers. 
 
 " Marie dear, a brilliant idea I have, it came 
 but this instant on the wings of that tantalizing 
 fragrance it is that we go to the barbecue, and 
 you, Marie, shall be the one to gain the consent 
 of our madres. What think you? Twould be a 
 sin, I say, to allow 7 the redskins to devour all of 
 that feast." 
 
 The dons were unanimous in their approval of 
 Angelica s suggestion. Marie looked from one 
 to the other. A stronger whiff of the roasting 
 steer whetted anew the craving for food, as 
 well as the longing for excitement. 
 
 " I favor the idea," Marie answered, " but I 
 have a misgiving as to the favor of our worthy 
 parents for this scheme. I dare say that, if Pa- 
 jarita would go to Donna Sofia and secure her 
 permission, its weight would surely influence 
 our mothers." 
 
 A few rods away was Senora Sofia standing 
 rigidly erect. With much dignity she conversed 
 with several matrons. Pajarita looked her way 
 and understood, only too well, what answer she 
 would receive were she to ask such a favor.
 
 THE DEDICATION 217 
 
 Sofia had her own ideas and they never fitted 
 well with the young people s notion of enjoy 
 ment. 
 
 " I should be most happy to have the pleas 
 ure, but, Marie, I would have you go to Senora 
 Delfina ; I am convinced that she would be more 
 likely to consent than would Donna Sofia." 
 
 Marie laughed. " Captain Sol, the honor rests 
 with you. Have you the courage of your calling 
 in a case like this? It will take valor, I assure 
 you, to face our guardians with this request." 
 
 " I shall be willing to face anything in the way 
 of peril to win you your wish." 
 
 " Then, with a show of strategy, go to the 
 donnas, and, with the bravery of a warrior, in 
 veigle them into permitting us to attend the bar 
 becue." 
 
 " I am ever at your service, Senorita Marie, 
 with great joy." 
 
 He hurried away. While they were awaiting 
 the decision Don Charles and John Asterly joined 
 them. The two men were told of Captain Sol s 
 mission, and they, too, welcomed heartily Angel 
 ica s idea. 
 
 " By all that is delectable, these fair ones 
 should be permitted to go ! " Don Charles was 
 brimming with happiness. Angelica was near 
 and John Asterly had decided to stay at Mon 
 terey as the guest of Don Charles. Don Charles 
 turned to John Asterly. " Think you we shall 
 have time to attend the barbecue, and then reach 
 the beach in time for the frigate s sailing? "
 
 218 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " An hour is a short time for eating and drink 
 ing such refreshments as the Padre President 
 will serve this day," answered John. " A sol 
 dier could be stationed to watch when the party 
 leaves the Mission, then notify us." 
 
 " Truly said, friend ! " Calling to a youth who 
 was near, Don Charles gave him orders. " Twill 
 mean a favor granted to you on the morrow, if 
 you prove faithful." 
 
 " Si, seiior. My heart is in the service you 
 request." And he immediately stationed him 
 self at the right of the entrance to the main 
 building. 
 
 Captain Sol returned to the waiting group ac 
 companied by three rotund, swarthy-skinned 
 duennas. " My mission was fraught with much 
 uncertainty, but courage and strategy won the 
 day." He laughingly bowed before Marie. 
 " Success, however, came only after Donna Del- 
 fina championed my cause and silenced all pro 
 tests by marshaling these watchful guardians to 
 protect the charming senoritas." 
 
 John Asterly laughed, " No one will doubt the 
 efficiency of these chaperons a look is suf 
 ficient." 
 
 Angelica s merry laugh was contagious. " A 
 happy, satisfying decision. I shall ever pay 
 homage to the valor of our noble hero," Angelica 
 bowed a charming courtesy before the Captain, 
 " and shall ever affirm Senor Delfina s rare 
 wisdom. A wonderful mother you have, 
 Marie."
 
 THE DEDICATION 219 
 
 " Quite right you are, Angelica. None other 
 could have shown wiser judgment." 
 
 The merry, light-hearted group hurried to the 
 scene of the barbecue. Their presence made no 
 difference to the Indians, who went on with their 
 dancing and chanting as though nothing unusual 
 had taken place. This was a new experience for 
 John Asterly. He stood apart, watching with 
 deep interest the process of roasting the steer, 
 while the others seated themselves in a circle 
 on the blankets some of the Presidio Indians of 
 fered them. When a part was sufficiently cooked 
 a large square-shouldered neophyte cut thin slices 
 with a keen-edged knife. These were placed be 
 tween tortillas and handed to the guests, who ate 
 them with much relish. 
 
 John Asterly took the offered sandwich and 
 seated himself beside Pajarita, He had not seen 
 her since the evening of the ball. Pajarita was 
 laughing and talking with the others while eat 
 ing. She loved change and excitement and this 
 event was an unusual happening. The Spanish 
 seiioritas of the best families were rarely per 
 mitted to frequent the public places of amuse 
 ment unaccompanied by their parents. Paja 
 rita turned toward John with a bright smile to 
 welcome him to the circle. 
 
 " Senorita," he said, " this for me is a rare 
 occasion." 
 
 She smiled, " Tis hours since you have eaten, 
 and the bracing air is a keen appetizer." 
 
 " You are quite right, seilorita, though I still
 
 220 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 insist that the occasion is rarely pleasant." 
 " You like the Spanish tortillas, then? " 
 John, having tasted the highly peppered cakes, 
 drew a wry face. 
 
 A merry laugh brought the dimples into Paja- 
 rita s cheeks. He wished he might keep her 
 smiling. 
 
 " They are like the Spanish temperament,", 
 said Pajarita ; " the peppers are evenly mixed 
 with the milder flavors. Do you find them too 
 highly spiced for you, sefior? " 
 
 " No, no ! The spice adds charm to either." 
 " I recall that my first tortilla was a matter 
 of tongue blister that I found none too pleasant." 
 " I do not understand, sefiorita. Do you Span 
 ish need long custom to comfortably enjoy your 
 national, fire-seasoned food? I thought it per 
 haps a pertinent fuel, feeding the flame of tem 
 perament." 
 
 A mischievous twinkle danced in Pajarita s 
 saucy eyes. 
 
 " Sefior, do you think mine needs special diet 
 ing for its sustenance? " 
 
 He looked at her curiously for a moment, 
 " You do not impress me as do the rest of your 
 countrymen. I am ever in a dilemma of con 
 flicting impressions when I am with you, sefio 
 rita." 
 
 * Then I am disappointing to you? " 
 " Tis just the opposite. Sefiorita, will you not 
 clear my troubled thought? Sometimes I have 
 a faint suspicion that you are not Spanish:"
 
 THE DEDICATION 221 
 
 He looked at her keenly. She drew her rebosa 
 closer and tossed her head, " You think you have 
 some ground for your suspicions? " 
 
 " No only yes, I have ! But I cannot ex 
 plain them." 
 
 " I shall excuse you that task with pleasure." 
 
 Angelica interrupted them for a moment, and 
 it was some time before he could speak to Paja- 
 rita again alone. 
 
 " Senorita Pajarita, you have not told me if 
 you were pleased with the poppies I sent? " 
 
 " Sefior, I understood that your motive in send 
 ing the flowers was not that I should be pleased 
 with them." 
 
 " I sent them on a mission, tis true ; but, seno- 
 rita, I did wish the little flowers to please." 
 
 " I am very fond of the golden poppies, 
 senor; they are so truly a part of the Calif or- 
 nias." 
 
 " Yes," he answered, " they are and also truly 
 typical of her opulence." 
 
 " Good ! " Pajarita s eyes danced, " You, too, 
 believe that the Californias offer great possibili 
 ties? " 
 
 " Yes, beyond one s most sanguine expectation. 
 Do not the poppies bring forth their message? " 
 
 " In their apparel, seuor? " 
 
 " Even in their golden robes." 
 
 " How delightful ! Senor, you should talk 
 with Daddy-don." 
 
 " Daddy-don? " he spoke musingly. 
 
 " Senor, I am ever finding in you new traits.
 
 222 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 To-day I have found you both suspicious and 
 curious." 
 
 " And the night of the ball," he added laugh 
 ingly, " you found me rude? " 
 
 "Yes!" 
 
 " May I hope, senorita, that you, in the near 
 future will find in me other than objectionable 
 qualities? " 
 
 " Sefior, as you know, I can find only what 
 you display." 
 
 " You will then give me a chance to, perhaps, 
 prove some others ? " 
 
 " What chance could I give? " 
 
 " To be near you, Senorita Pajarita." 
 
 A charming rose hue crept over her face. She 
 knew she must end this conversation because of 
 its personal tone, but before she could say an 
 other word one of the stern-faced duennas came 
 and stood ominously beside them. John braved 
 her withering glance to say quickly in an under 
 tone: 
 
 " I shall send more poppies by Juan to-mor 
 row." 
 
 " No, no ! senor ! " Pajarita was now trou 
 bled. 
 
 John did not hear. With cautious tact, he 
 turned away from Pajarita and began talking 
 with Senorita Marie. In this way the conversa 
 tion became general. Amidst the merriment the 
 soldier sentinel was seen hurrying toward them. 
 John Asterly and Don Charles begged to be par 
 doned for their abrupt departure, and were soon
 
 THE DEDICATION 223 
 
 galloping on fleet-footed horses towards the Pre 
 sidio. 
 
 The group of young people soon dispersed. 
 
 The young girls returned to the Presidio in 
 Don Jose s carreta and, at Pajarita s invitation, 
 went with her to her home and remained through 
 the evening as her guests,
 
 CHAPTER XXII 
 
 SENORITA MARIE MAKES A VISIT 
 
 DON JOSE attended the dedicatory mass in com 
 pany with his sister and Pajarita with the same 
 physical appearance, and with apparently the 
 same mental attitude of life, that he had shown 
 the Californians on many occasions. However, 
 when he entered the chapel beside his two charges 
 he was prouder, keener and a younger man than 
 he had been in many years. He was as a man 
 born anew with the same appearance, and 
 with the wisdom of past experiences; but with 
 the strength of youth renewed through a prec 
 ious incentive and the conscious possession of a 
 wonderful new outlook on life. 
 
 When the unfamiliar music caused Pajarita to 
 reach for his hand, as though for the assurance of 
 his ever-protecting strength and love, his heart 
 gave a bound of gratitude that the sacred priv 
 ilege of possessing and guarding this young life 
 should be given to him. As he sat in the chapel, 
 unattentive to prayers, yet influenced in a 
 strange new way by the atmosphere of music and 
 worship, his thoughts slipped back to the day on 
 the beach when he had first seen Pajarita. He 
 had not taken her into his home and shielded her 
 through a sense of charity. There had been a 
 
 224
 
 MARIE MAKES A VISIT 225 
 
 deeper, higher motive, unthought of and unex- 
 plainable at the time, but now fully understood. 
 There had been between them from the first a 
 blending chord of mutual fondness, the resulting 
 harmony of which had ever held them attuned, 
 but, not until he had impulsively and under un 
 usual emotion made Pajarita aware of his deeper 
 love, had there risen within him an overwhelm 
 ing, uplifting devotion that was almost holy. 
 
 He was roused from his musing by the chimes. 
 As he listened to their joyous peals, far reaching 
 and then echoing their message into the dim be 
 yond, he felt as if he too must proclaim his joy to 
 the world. But no ! It was yet too sacred. Pa 
 jarita and he would share their secret a little 
 longer, then he would make it public perhaps, 
 who knew, he might arrange to , his thought 
 was broken by the people leaving the chapel. 
 Outside, he left Sofia and Pajarita, and with the 
 Comandante joined the circle about the party 
 of Englishmen. 
 
 It was late in the afternoon when Don Jose 
 returned home. It was still enwrapped in the 
 hour of siesta. Feeling unsettled by the crowd 
 ing events of the day, he left his quiet study 
 and went to the patio. The songs and twitter 
 ings of the birds, the buzzing of the bees, and the 
 constant splashing and gurgling of the falling 
 water were the noises that met his ear, as he 
 strolled over the winding walks, his hands locked 
 at his back and his head bent slightly forward. 
 The droning sounds, the peace and harmony of
 
 226 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 the place suited Don Jose. He could have 
 wished for nothing better than to be alone after 
 the noisy feast at the Mission and long-drawn-out 
 ceremonious farewell at the beach. It was with 
 the greatest sense of satisfaction that he wan 
 dered about the sole human occupant of the 
 patio. 
 
 He was so deeply lost in his musings that he 
 did not hear an approach until the rustle of 
 silken skirts caused him to look up. Senorita 
 Marie smiled at his surprise. 
 
 if Senor, you did not expect to see me here? " 
 
 Don Jose bowed and kissed her extended hand. 
 
 " No, senorita, because I had no idea you were 
 at the casa. However, I am delighted now that 
 you are here." 
 
 " I am glad that you are not displeased at my 
 intrusion. Twas presumptuous of me to intrude 
 on your hour of quiet/ 
 
 " What a foolish notion, senorita. I have 
 many hours to spend in quiet thought when I 
 cannot have the pleasure of your companion 
 ship." 
 
 A delightfully tender light shone in Marie s 
 deep eyes. 
 
 Don Jose continued, " Come, we will sit on the 
 rim of the fountain. See the water as it 
 reaches for the sun falls back in rainbow bubbles. 
 The place to-day is a bower of beauty, delight 
 ful sounds and blending tones. Nowhere in all 
 my travels have I found the mellow sunlight that 
 softens and blends as in the Californias, Per-
 
 MARIE MAKES A VISIT 227 
 
 haps in Spain and Italy it almost compares, but 
 tis not so tinged with yellow nor tempered so 
 evenly." 
 
 " Senor, you have traveled far and seen much, 
 yet you prefer the Calif ornias? " 
 
 " Yes, senorita." 
 
 "Why?" 
 
 He smiled, " I should say, perhaps, it is be 
 cause my heart is in the Californias." 
 
 SeSorita Marie was never more beautiful. A 
 delightful rose hue tinged her cheeks; her eyes 
 shone as with an inward fire. Don Jose did not 
 see; he was thinking of what he had said and 
 marveling that the thought could be expressed 
 aloud to-day with such conviction. 
 
 " Valcdor," Marie spoke softly, " the Cali 
 fornias are fortunate, indeed, if they hold secure 
 your heart." 
 
 Don Jose was fond of this beautiful girl and 
 her remark pleased him. What another might 
 have deemed flattery he accepted as friendly sin 
 cerity. 
 
 " Senorita, you are kind, very kind ! The little 
 1 can do for our beloved country though it be 
 all the effort and strength of a long life will 
 be but as one of those drops that fall with many 
 others to mingle in the pool." 
 
 " The drop is but an atom that makes up the 
 whole, but you " 
 
 " Senorita, the drops that have mingled in this 
 basin have made possible the lives of the lilies 
 and the gold-fish. Just so, the Californians who
 
 228 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 are united in purpose can do for the Californias 
 what no one man can do alone, though we have 
 the wisdom and longevity of the ancient prophet. 
 When supported by the majority indolence rusts 
 the polish gained by the arduous efforts of the 
 willing few." 
 
 It had been a very long time since Marie had 
 enjoyed a conversation with Don Jose. In the 
 past in the long past, it seemed to her now 
 they had often sat and talked of the Californias, 
 of travels, books, and pictures. Don Jose had 
 taught her many things in this way. To-day 
 they had slipped backwards and were again on 
 old familiar grounds. "Twas a wonderful hour 
 for Marie and she held to it with every fiber of 
 her being. Don Jose was in a mood she loved, 
 companionable, appreciative. 
 
 " Senor, what you say is quite true. I have 
 known it for long and* have hoped that brother 
 Charles would prove to be one of the willing." 
 
 Don Jose s eyes brightened. 
 
 " Don Charles has already proved himself. 
 Twas a great benefit to him, his voyage abroad, 
 not only that, but his friendship with the young 
 Bostonian has done him much good." 
 
 "You admire the foreigner?" 
 
 " He has ambition, senorita. Who would not 
 admire that quality? What would not be the 
 future of the Californias were there many such 
 youths as he to promote their interests?" 
 
 "Can you not find others such as he, right 
 here? "
 
 MARIE MAKES A VISIT 229 
 
 " A few now, but, seuorita, we are going to find 
 many before very long." 
 " You have plans?" 
 
 Before he could answer three girls, in billowy 
 skirts and with arms twined around each other, 
 came into view. Twas a pretty picture these 
 three made with their contrasting coloring, their 
 youth, and their charming manners. Twas a 
 noisy group for a moment after they met Don 
 Jose and Marie. 
 
 Marie resented the interruption. The moment 
 before had been so completely hers and now 
 twas gone. She leaned far over the rim of the 
 basin to pluck a lily. The flying spray showered 
 her hair with tiny gem-drops. The stem of the 
 flower was so indefinitely long Don Jose reached 
 to help her. 
 
 " Senorita Marie 7 , the stem is like an old man s 
 reiterated tale, it requires sudden amputation." 
 Taking from his scarlet girdle a sharp-edged 
 blade, he severed the blossom from its tube-like 
 stem. The bright rays that danced on the water 
 lightened the color of the jewels in the ring he 
 wore on his hand. As he offered the lily to Marie 
 she ignored the flower and took his hand instead. 
 
 " Senor, the ring ah, tis most unique ! " 
 
 " Not only unique, senorita," he glanced invol 
 untarily at Pajarita, " but symbolic." 
 
 Marie caught the glance. An intense bitter 
 ness rose within her. 
 
 " Yes, senor, but its symbolicism I cannot 
 think alluring. It is rather repulsive."
 
 230 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " Seiiorita, have you never thought of the ser 
 pent as indicative of anything but evil? " 
 
 " Tis loathed for its cunning and poison, 
 senor." 
 
 " But admired for its wisdom." 
 
 " I would gain my example of wisdom from 
 other sources." 
 
 " Senorita, you should search for the pearl of 
 great price in everything." 
 
 " Even in the serpent s deadly hiss? " Marie 
 laughed. 
 
 " The hiss is but a warning, the sting is its 
 only weapon of defense. The serpent avoids his 
 antagonist and, when, unmolested, shows its wis 
 dom in minding its own affairs." 
 
 Marie smiled. " May I see the ring? " 
 
 Don Jose, instead of removing the ring, ex 
 tended his hand. 
 
 " You see no evil in anything? " she asked. 
 
 " I try to reverse evil, to find the good." 
 
 Marie had turned the ring on his finger while 
 she spoke. Without apparently any effort on 
 her part the ring slipped from his finger. She 
 held it up. 
 
 Pajarita jumped to her feet. " Why did you 
 remove it, Marie? " 
 
 " Oh did you not wish it removed? " 
 
 " No ! " 
 
 " Ah, I understand now ! If I had known " 
 
 Pajarita was disturbed. " Daddy-don would 
 not wish the ring removed." 
 
 Marie s eyes shot sparks. " What nonsense !
 
 One would think you were a baby, Pajarita." 
 
 Don Jose was bewildered. " There, there ! mia 
 dear, no harm was done. It can be replaced on 
 the finger again, Pajarita, yes? " He drew her 
 to him and smiled into her face. 
 
 A feeling arose within Marie that seemed to 
 bind her heart. She looked at Pajarita, and, 
 that her secret might not be surprised, dropped 
 her burning eyes. Leaning over the rim, she 
 lifted the ring as though to see the gems flash 
 in the sunlight. She looked at the group 
 quickly, then back at the ring. In an instant 
 she was on her feet with an exclamation of dis 
 may. 
 
 " Saints in heaven ! Tis gone ! " 
 
 Don Jose jumped to his feet, " What, seno- 
 rita? " 
 
 " The ring, senor. It dropped into the water 
 and disappeared." 
 
 Astonishment held each one silent. Pajarita 
 confronted Marie. 
 
 " You dropped it, Marie ! " 
 
 Marie smiled, " You are a silly girl." 
 
 Angry tears sprang into Pajarita s eyes. She 
 opened her mouth to speak, then closed it firmly 
 and walked away. 
 
 Don Jose was dismayed. He could not under 
 stand why either of the girls should act so 
 strangely over the ring. 
 
 " Pajarita ! " he called, " I am grieved over the 
 loss, but was the ring worth the inharmony it 
 has occasioned? "
 
 232 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " No, perhaps not ! but " 
 
 "But what, Pajarita?" 
 
 " Tis nothing ! " her eyes brightened as she 
 tried to smile. 
 
 " To-morrow the basin shall be drained and the 
 ring found ! " 
 
 Pajarita looked at the glistening water, and 
 the lilies that nodded so drowsily so dreamily. 
 " No, daddy, not to-morrow nor at any time. 
 We cannot sacrifice the lilies. The ring is not 
 worth it, and and the charm is broken." 
 
 " Need that make any difference to us? " 
 
 " We won t let it, daddy-dear." 
 
 " Good ! " He was relieved. He called to An 
 gelica and Jacinta, who had remained in the 
 background. " We cannot afford to let a trifling 
 affair spoil our day. Would you favor guests 
 for a merry meal, and then a jolly fandango in 
 the waiting room? " 
 
 The young girls faces lighted immediately. 
 
 " Seuor honorable friend ! " Angelica was 
 beside herself with expectancy, " we not only 
 favor the plan, but embrace it. Think you 
 Sefiora Sofia will bear it leniently? " 
 
 Don Jose smiled indulgently, "Favor it? 
 Why, Angelica, we will arrange it so she also 
 will hold open arms for it. Pedro must be sent 
 to ask the friends, and we must hasten into the 
 casa to inform Donna Sofia." 
 
 In a group they went toward the casa, Angel 
 ica s lively tongue keeping up a constant chat-
 
 MARIE MAKES A VISIT 233 
 
 ter. When almost at the entrance she stopped 
 abruptly in front of the others. 
 
 " Cielo feliz! Was it not fortunate that the 
 ring slipped from Marie s light fingers? " 
 
 Marie s eyes flashed, " Seiiorita! " 
 
 " Marie, pardon, I was simply expressing my 
 joy at our promised recompense for your mis 
 take." 
 
 With a smile on his lips and a twinkle in his 
 eyes Don Jose ushered them into Sofia s presence. 
 
 It was not long before Seiiora Sofia saw the 
 folly of trying to oppose their plan. She would 
 have Don Jose to reckon with ; so she rose from 
 her linen-work and, with resigned air, told them, 
 if they insisted on inviting guests to a meal at 
 the eleventh hour they must expect but eleventh 
 hour results. The seiioritas must also under 
 stand, and must constantly keep in mind, that 
 they were the daughters of the best Spanish fam 
 ilies in the Presidio, and must therefore not let 
 their foolish notion of pleasure run away with 
 their dignity.
 
 CHAPTER XXIII 
 
 JOHN ASTERLY SHOWS HIS PLANS 
 
 JOHN ASTERLY turned in his saddle and slack 
 ened the reins that his horse might nibble at the 
 sprigs of juicy grass. The day was one of those 
 mellow, silver-toned days which are awarded to 
 the Californians as if for their enforced patience 
 with the dank, foggy ones. A delicate mist, that 
 caught and reflected the opalescent tints of the 
 golden, hazy sunlight, softened and harmonized 
 all colors and outlines. From the thickets came 
 the wonderful spring carol of the song-thrush. 
 
 John listened and smiled appreciatively. 
 With slow breath he inhaled deeply of the ex 
 hilarating air and feasted his roaming eyes on 
 the panorama that stretched out far away where 
 sky and sea join and become as one. From his 
 mountain site John studied the outlines of sea 
 and land. The quiet bay lay as a sleeping infant 
 beside its parents, the sea and sky. The huge, 
 tapering arm of Point Lobos stretched out from 
 the wild Sierra de Santa Lucia and dipped its 
 rocky palm into the water as though to caress 
 the child. 
 
 After a contemplative view of scenes that 
 stirred his deepest emotions John gathered up 
 his reins and began slowly to descend the moun- 
 
 234
 
 ASTERLY SHOWS HIS PLANS 235 
 
 tain side. Day after day he had ridden to the 
 elevated site to enjoy the view and to scan the 
 waters. Weeks had passed since the English 
 frigate had sailed from Monterey Bay. John 
 had been received into the Spanish casas, had 
 been entertained and honored, because of his 
 favors to Don Charles. John had enjoyed the 
 social life, had admired the Spanish hospitality 
 and etiquette, and especially the comfort and 
 ease with which the Spaniard enjoyed life; but 
 now, as the weeks were developing into months, 
 he grew restless. Day after day he had roamed 
 over unexplored country, traveled through groves 
 of dense timber, climbed mountain sides and 
 wandered over miles of beach lines. At first his 
 delight knew no bounds. He loved the freedom 
 and the vastness of its outlook. He came and 
 w r ent as he willed at casa or rancho. At the Mis 
 sion he was welcomed and soon beloved for his 
 genial spirit and spontaneous good will. He 
 made friends everywhere, always leaving behind 
 him a budding regard that ripened with each 
 visit. All this caused John Asterly little, if any, 
 effort; it was as natural for him to see good in 
 human beings, as it was for him to behold beauty 
 in the scenes about him. He gave of himself 
 freely and received like in return. Never con 
 scious of possessing marked generosity, he sim 
 ply expressed a nature largely gifted with that 
 quality the world adores. 
 
 John had so far traveled through life unham 
 pered. Born into a prosperous family, his
 
 236 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 wishes had been considered and his pursuits fa 
 vored. When he returned to Boston, after his 
 last year at Oxford, filled with lofty ambitions, 
 his father readily consented to a voyage with Sir 
 Vancouver. He thought that the influence of the 
 staid English navigator would have a beneficial 
 effect on the boy s too fanciful mind. The father 
 realized that great achievements could evolve 
 from day dreams providing there was behind the 
 fancies a staple training and a steady mind. 
 These, he hoped, John would receive while in 
 companionship with the practical, level-minded 
 Englishman. 
 
 As yet there was little if any change in John. 
 He still had his fancies and was as yet unsettled 
 as to his course in life, save that he possessed a 
 great ambition to create to add to the world s 
 mechanical achievements. He was convinced 
 that a time was not far distant when men would 
 be educated and trained to be directors of great 
 undertakings. There would always be plenty of 
 those who could supply physical energy; he 
 wished to be one of those who might conceive, 
 plan, and direct in great undertakings. 
 
 While riding homeward John thought again 
 over these problems. He was not a little dis 
 satisfied with his present mode of living. It dis 
 turbed him to hear Don Charles chatter with un 
 abated enthusiasm over the repairing of the Pre 
 sidio buildings, the erecting of securer fortresses, 
 and the well-advanced boat construction. It did 
 not help matters with John to hear and see
 
 ASTERLY SHOWS HIS PLANS 237 
 
 others doing while he remained idle. True there 
 were many idlers at the Presidio, but John had 
 nothing in common with these, his heart and 
 will were with the few energetic spirits Don 
 Charles and a few dozen others, inspired by the 
 Governor s indomitable will and activity. 
 
 It might have been different with John had the 
 frigate returned sooner, or had he been allowed 
 to see more of Pajarita. But the arrival of the 
 English frigate had been delayed, and the Span 
 ish idea of propriety forbade young men visiting 
 young girls except in the presence of the family. 
 John had not been, in the beginning of their 
 acquaintance, attracted to Seiiora Sofia. This 
 perhaps was because of the definite way in which 
 she had avoided him on the first day he had seen 
 her at the Plaza de Toros with Pajarita; there 
 fore, John did not fancy the idea of deliberately 
 seeking Donna Sofia s society. She had a way 
 of dampening one s spirit, and, he had noticed, 
 of tying one s tongue especially Pajarita s. 
 
 John was a little dissatisfied with Pajarita, tis 
 true, perhaps that also accounted for some of 
 his restlessness. He had sent Juan to her grat 
 ing day after day with the most carefully selected 
 bouquets of dew-washed poppies, to have them 
 returned without a single line or word. The 
 more she persisted in ignoring them, the more 
 obstinate he became. One day he determined to 
 have the poppies remain with her, and threat 
 ened Juan with definite dire consequences should 
 he return with the flowers. The Indian returned
 
 238 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 empty-handed. When questioned closely, Juan 
 admitted that he had offered them with the same 
 results, and then had dropped them inside her 
 grating. John did not send another, but he con 
 tinued thinking of the fair girl whom he in 
 stinctively associated with the graceful poppies. 
 
 To-day his thoughts were unusually unsettled, 
 dwelling one moment on a desire to depart im 
 mediately from the Californias and Pajarita, 
 and the next hoping he might linger long enough 
 to score in the opportunity which presented un 
 limited scope for the materialization of his 
 dreams. This last thought stirred him anew. 
 He swung his arm with a clinched hand. 
 " What a chance ! " he exclaimed aloud. " If I 
 could but develop my plans." Drawing from an 
 inner pocket a packet he looked at it longingly. 
 The horse, not losing its chance, began to nibble 
 the grass, while John, with reins slipped over his 
 wrist, stood still, studying intently the zig 
 zagging lines that sprawled over the unfolded 
 sheet. 
 
 So intent was he that he did not heed three 
 horsemen until they drew rein at his side. Don 
 Jose and Don Charles dismounted and greeted 
 him. 
 
 " Seuor John," the Governor smiled as he 
 spoke, " you seemed lost in contemplation of that 
 parchment." 
 
 "Yes, senor, I was indeed engrossed, for to 
 me it is very interesting. Should I bore you if 
 I gave its explanation? "
 
 ASTERLY SHOWS HIS PLANS 239 
 
 They were standing on the outer edge of the 
 road. Don Jose s criado stood back a few paces, 
 holding the reins of the horses. Don Jose s eye 
 brows lifted at John s question and the slight 
 smile still played about his mouth. 
 
 " You would share your affairs with us? A 
 great honor you bestow upon your friends, Senor 
 Asterly." 
 
 " Tis not a desire for honoring you that has 
 prompted me, seiior, I will be quite honest with 
 you. I have a feeling that, if I confide in you, 
 you will become interested to the extent of assist 
 ing me." 
 
 "Ah" 
 
 " But permit me to add, Senor Governor," 
 John continued, " in assisting me, you will be 
 benefiting yourself and I might add your coun 
 try." 
 
 "" Caramba! Tis an enigma you are offering, as 
 yet ; but I am always interested in benefiting both 
 myself and my country. Pray accompany us 
 to my casa, senor ; there we can discuss your sub 
 ject at leisure over some fairly good wine." 
 
 John was anxious hasty with the impulsive 
 ness of youth. He did not wish to miss this ad 
 vantageous moment. Many times in the past few 
 weeks he had attempted to have a conversation 
 alone with the Governor, but every time it had 
 been impossible. 
 
 " Senor, I have the parchment here and we 
 are alone; would you consider it presumptuous 
 of me to ask you to linger here a moment
 
 240 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 longer? " His eyes turned to a fallen tree aside 
 from the roadway and partly enclosed with 
 shrubbery and ferns, " There " pointing to the 
 log, " we can sit quite undisturbed while I trans 
 form the enigma into a discovery. Seiior Gov 
 ernor, I have worked and dreamed over these 
 plans for many months, long before leaving the 
 University in London. They may not interest 
 you, since there may be others your own, per 
 haps, which already engage your attention. 
 You are ambitious for the Californias. Day 
 after day I have ached to offer you my services in 
 your work. 1 have argued with myself whether I 
 wished to leave Monterey immediately, in case 
 the frigate arrived soon or stay on and offer 
 you what knowledge I have in my possession." 
 
 " At least, Don John," Don Jose removed his 
 sombrero and placed it beside him on the log, 
 " you are generous and we appreciate that qual 
 ity. Pray continue." 
 
 " You may change your opinion as to my gen 
 erosity, seiior, after you have heard me. How 
 ever, to make a long dream a short tale, I will 
 say I have watched the work that is going on 
 ward, and I have understood, from the sight of 
 many small boats you are having the neophytes 
 build, that you are ambitious to have some craft 
 afloat on this bay." 
 
 " Don John, I cannot contradict the evidence 
 of several small boats that will surely sail in due 
 time on the bay. However, they are of little 
 benefit aside from fishing."
 
 ASTERLY SHOWS HIS PLANS 241 
 
 " Zounds ! Pardon my enthusiasm, but that is 
 just the point ! They are useless, but for trolling 
 in deep water ; but, senor, have you ever thought 
 of building a look here ! " He dropped to his 
 knees before them and spread his large parch 
 ment on the grass. All three heads bent over 
 it. There was silence for several seconds, then 
 John spoke. 
 
 "Well, what think you?" His tone was 
 eager. 
 
 No answer from the others. 
 
 Slowly and carefully Don Jose studied the 
 drawing. Seconds, minutes, an hour passed 
 while they examined and discussed John s plans. 
 John explained eagerly, and the others listened, 
 absorbing his details. 
 
 " It is in length, senor, one hundred and eighty 
 feet, in breadth forty-five feet, and in height, 
 from the upper edge of the deck to the bottom of 
 the well, forty-three feet, and in all nearly four 
 hundred tons burden." 
 
 John went into the technical details of the 
 drawing, showing that he was master of his art. 
 Don Jose did not offer a word until John finished 
 and all rose to their feet. He waited, listening 
 to every enthusiastic appeal John had to offer; 
 then he looked at him thoughtfully for a mo 
 ment. 
 
 " What idea have you in connection with the 
 use of these plans? " 
 
 " Just this, senor, my services for building
 
 242 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 such a ship! I should like nothing better than 
 to direct the construction." 
 
 " Hum ! " 
 
 John continued, " It is the desire of my heart 
 to create such a ship, and, senor, do you realize 
 what an advantage twould be to the Californias 
 to possess even one such ship? " 
 
 "Quite!" 
 
 " And you will consider the project? " 
 
 " Don John, you, an American subject, wish 
 to experiment with your talents for the Cali 
 fornias benefit? " 
 
 " Why not? I am a loyal American, but 
 America is already supplied, to some extent, with 
 that which you are without. Her ports are some 
 what protected, yours not at all. There is room 
 here for my endeavor, great supplies are at hand, 
 there are no hindrances and there is an abun 
 dance of laborers." 
 
 " What do you require in return? " 
 
 John looked at the Governor thoughtfully, as 
 though he was trying to comprehend his mean 
 ing. 
 
 " Your cooperation and the unbiased and un 
 limited privileges you alone can offer, and 
 well," he hesitated, "the supreme joy of being 
 able to see my dreams realized twould be a 
 great compensation." 
 
 Don Jose studied the young man. He was 
 flushed, and had run his fingers through his 
 thick locks so often, while explaining the chart, 
 that his hair stood on end. His entire aspect
 
 ASTERLY SHOWS HIS PLANS 243 
 
 expressed impulsive, ingenuous youth. Don 
 Jose could not suppress a smile. 
 
 " My friend, your motive is nobly expressed. 
 It is, indeed, a warrant to your honesty ; but Sir 
 Vancouver might sail into port at any time, 
 what then?" 
 
 " Twould not make any difference to me, once 
 my work was begun. Nothing could induce me 
 to leave the Californias until the work, if you 
 sanction it, is completed and proved a success." 
 
 " Come to see me in a few days, Senor John " 
 
 " No ! Pardon my abruptness, but I must 
 have your decision now. I feel sure, quite sure, 
 that you favor the enterprise; why not ease my 
 mind by giving your consent to my scheme? I 
 could begin operations, ah to-morrow." 
 
 " Don John, you are somewhat impetuous. 
 But, friend, this is no new scheme to me. I, 
 myself, have long labored over just such an idea 
 as that you offer. The logs you have seen were 
 intended not alone for small boats, but for some 
 thing larger, as well. But this design of yours 
 is superior to any other I have yet considered, 
 and, indeed, so much so, that we will cooperate." 
 
 John dropped to his knee before the Governor 
 and kissed his hand. 
 
 " I am indeed overjoyed, senor, and I thank 
 you heartily." 
 
 The Governor continued. 
 
 " I have thought, while talking, that it would 
 be well for you to have a room away from the 
 Presidio, where you could have uninterrupted
 
 244 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 quiet. If you wish, I shall speak to the Padre 
 President, and, if I mistake not, he will readily 
 offer you a retreat at the Mission." 
 
 " Good ! " exclaimed John. 
 
 " But, friend," Don Charles was concerned, 
 " you will still retain your place as guest in our 
 
 " Assuredly with the greatest of pleasure." 
 
 " I am delighted, friend, that you are to be my 
 assured guest for a long time to come." 
 
 They mounted their horses. 
 
 " Come ! " the Governor called over his shoul 
 der. " We are expected at the Presidio and will 
 have to hasten if we are to reach there in time."
 
 CHAPTER XXIV 
 
 HOW FLOWERS ABE GATHERED BY TWO 
 
 THE next day work began on the ship. John 
 Asterly took charge of the operations, and 
 ardently he labored to make the undertaking a 
 success. All his energy, his time, and his con 
 centrated thought were centered in the problem 
 of turning into facts his heretofore chimerical 
 creation. As the work progressed there were 
 many problems that required close study, and, at 
 such times, John sought Don Jose s advice and 
 together they analyzed and argued, sometimes 
 far into the night. In this way they were thrown 
 together most of the time, and, as a result, a 
 fondness for each other ripened into a deep re 
 gard. Don Jose admired the younger man s en 
 thusiasm and skill; John Asterly respected the 
 older man s keen discernment and wisdom. 
 Both hearts were in the undertaking, and both 
 gave liberally the best of themselves for results. 
 From out the huge, cracked shell developed a 
 firm, well-molded hull, whose conception mani 
 fested rare, ingenious talent in idea as well as 
 in erection. 
 
 The well-organized neophyte-labor was indica 
 tive of the Mission s rare wisdom of discipline. 
 The work went forward as automatically as 
 
 245
 
 246 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 wheels revolve on lubricated axles without 
 friction or dissension. There was evidence, 
 throughout, the exceptional unity of Church and 
 State a unity of purpose that was both har 
 monious and patriotic. The laying of the first 
 plank that was to form the scaffolding was an 
 occasion for the Padre President s blessings and 
 prayers, and from then on until the completion 
 of the ship special prayers were said at every 
 mass for the success of the work. A week never 
 passed at the dock without a visit from the Padre 
 President. And, after watching for some min 
 utes, he would exclaim with evident zeal : 
 
 " A brave undertaking ; and a glorious develop 
 ment ! The Lord s blessing rest upon it." 
 
 The same sentiment was felt by all, though ex 
 pressed in varied figures of speech. 
 
 Pajarita was enthusiastic over the building, 
 and day after day she met Don Jose on his re 
 turn from the dock, to ply him with questions 
 concerning its progress. Arm-in-arm the two 
 would enter the casa, Pajarita chatting eagerly 
 about the ship. During the dinner hour Don 
 Jose would relate the progress of the day, Donna 
 Sofia listening attentively ; but with few words, 
 Pajarita questioning eagerly. These were happy 
 days for Don Jose. He lived the day for Paja- 
 rita s joyous greeting in the evening. 
 
 Every day after siesta Pajarita arranged the 
 veranda for refreshments. Jars were filled with 
 roses and placed here and there. A large bou 
 quet adorned the serving-table where Sofia pre-
 
 GATHERED BY TWO 247 
 
 sided. When the chocolate was made, and the 
 cream whipped until it stood in white-caps in 
 the glass bowl, Pajarita would escort Don Jose 
 to his seat, w r here he could view the drill on the 
 campus. By this time guests would arrive, 
 among them John Asterly. Although John and 
 Pajarita saw each other almost every day, few 
 words passed between them. 
 
 Pajarita did not try to analyze her feeling 
 toward John ; she admired him, though how 
 much she never allowed herself to question. It 
 was contrary to her nature to sidetrack after 
 she had definitely chosen her course. She meant 
 to be loyal to Don Jose and she was wise enough 
 not to tempt herself, even with musings. She 
 avoided opportunities when she could have had 
 delightful chats with John. He knew this, and 
 it exasperated him. That forbidden fruits are 
 always the most precious John learned by heart 
 during the months of association. It was suf 
 ficient happiness for Pajarita to know that Don 
 Jose was satisfied. It made little difference to 
 her how John might feel. 
 
 Pajarita believed that she knew herself. As 
 yet, however, she enjoyed but a slight acquaint 
 ance with her own heart that part of her 
 heart that held the devotion for her benefactor. 
 Deeper knowledge would come later, when she 
 could balance loyalty with impetuosity in the 
 scales of desire, testing thereby the depth of her 
 own sincerity. 
 
 Pajarita, when with Angelica, would often
 
 248 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 smile at her friend s joy over her approaching 
 marriage to Don Charles, and wonder if Angel 
 ica s exuberance was not owing to her tempera 
 mental disposition, since she, herself, was so un 
 disturbed over the prospects of her own mar 
 riage. Pajarita never dreamed over, or planned 
 her future as the wife of the Governor of the 
 Californias; Angelica lived in a world of fancy. 
 Her luminous, dark eyes would fill with tender 
 ness as she pictured her dreams to Pajarita. 
 Many happy hours the friends spent together, 
 yet never once was Pajarita tempted to reveal 
 her secret to Angelica. 
 
 So months passed rapidly. The Californias 
 were as a little world set apart from the great 
 universe of stress and conflict. The Californians 
 were an ease-loving, concordant people; selfish 
 ness and avarice were unknown traits in them. 
 All were ready to share their bounties with 
 stranger as well as friend. While some were 
 lazy and untrustworthy, all were chivalrous, hos 
 pitable, and unapprehensive of the future. They 
 lived for the day, never anxious over the mor 
 row. They may have learned their lessons from 
 Nature, for she was lavish indeed to her pet 
 protege the Californias. Here, there were 
 floods of tempered sunshine, billows of yellow 
 atmosphere, acres of rolling green, and ranges 
 of purple-tinted mountains. Cattle roamed over 
 the hills and fields yielded abundantly. 
 
 In her sheltered ports storm-tried packet-boats 
 anchored after tempestuous voyages, bringing
 
 GATHERED BY TWO 249 
 
 with them luxuries from Spain and Mexico in the 
 way of tobacco, liquors, fine linens, silks, dainty 
 slippers, fans and other things. There was no 
 need for avarice or worry. There were neo 
 phytes to labor for the Spaniards ; monks to bear 
 their mental burdens, and to save their souls. 
 
 The Calif ornians were indeed isolated, but they 
 were independently so, and, withal, peaceful, con 
 fident, and self-satisfied. 
 
 Lent was now drawing to a close. Masses had 
 been faithfully attended, and all looked forward 
 to a joyous Easter. Pajarita had been a con 
 stant attendant at the early hour mass, but, to 
 day it was ten o clock before she started for the 
 Mission. Life seemed unusually charming to Pa 
 jarita this morning as the carreta zigzagged over 
 the flower-edged road. Even Juan s jerky com 
 mands to the languorous oxen which lumbered 
 along, the loud protests of ungreased axles, and 
 the sudden biting snaps of the whip as it came 
 in contact with the oxen s rounded thighs, were 
 all a part of the morning s great, joyful overture. 
 Tossing aside her mantilla Pajarita allowed the 
 ocean breeze to unloosen her curls. The air was 
 delightfully fragrant and clear. The breeze that 
 played with Pajarita s hair had an hour since 
 chased the fog back to the sea. 
 
 Half-way up the Mission hill Pajarita called to 
 Juan to stop. She wished to pick flowers for the 
 altar. Lifting her full skirts, she made her way 
 over underbrush and trailing ferns until she 
 reached a bower where flowers grew amidst the
 
 250 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 moss and vines. Marta followed, none too will 
 ingly. She would much rather have continued 
 their journey to the chapel, but she fully realized 
 how futile her remonstrances would be ; Pajarita 
 could not be convinced by her that flowers were 
 not the essential things to be thought of this 
 bright morning. So Marta struggled from the 
 cart, waddled over the entanglements, and at 
 last, panting and overheated, sank on a fallen 
 log. Pajarita, as cool and as sweet as a prim 
 rose and as merry as a thrush, darted from one 
 flower to another, singing the while. It was 
 some time before she became aware of some one 
 watching her. 
 
 John Asterly, standing partly concealed by the 
 shrubbery, stepped into full view. 
 
 " Senorita, I pray you, do not stop singing." 
 
 She opened her eyes wide. 
 
 " You mistake, senor ; I was simply humming, 
 and to no effect." 
 
 He made his way through the bushes and 
 gained her side. 
 
 " Ah but it was most effective. When I saw 
 you stooping over the flowers, and heard you 
 singing, I thought perhaps I was in dreamland, 
 and I trembled lest I should be awakened." 
 
 He stood at her side, and she, not knowing 
 whether to send him off or leave immediately her 
 self, did neither, and enjoyed the situation, while 
 doubting her own wisdom. His bronzed face 
 was so good-natured, and splendid to look at, and 
 his eyes were so full of light and merriment that
 
 GATHERED BY TWO 251 
 
 she dared to peep at them now and again. She 
 let him stand at her side and talk, knowing the 
 while that she should be at that moment on her 
 knees in the chapel, and, though she blushed at 
 the thought of her boldness, the experience gave 
 her pleasure. She turned and looked up at him 
 somewhat shyly. 
 
 " Seiior, your dreamland must be common 
 place if it be occupied with sights and sounds 
 such as the like of these and me." 
 
 " But, senorita, it is a wonderful place be 
 cause only in my dreamland am I permitted 
 chance meetings with the object of my heart s 
 desire." 
 
 " Faith, senor ! " she turned saucy eyes to 
 his " your heart has fallen victim to some fair, 
 Eastern Maid? What like is she, senor?" 
 
 " So like another I have met that I could scarce 
 tell them apart." 
 
 " The description is too indefinite, senor. Is 
 she charming? " 
 
 " Greater charm I have never seen." 
 
 "And perchance she is wise and quick of 
 tongue? " 
 
 " So clever is she that another s wit is a fool s 
 jargon." 
 
 Pajarita heaved a great sigh, " Ah, senor, I 
 would not meet that paragon. Her virtues are 
 so extreme so monstrous ! I fear she is but an 
 idle fancy. Yet, I would not blame you were 
 you to visit your dreamland over-much, since in 
 it you seem to find satisfaction."
 
 252 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " I have, since coming to the Californias, spent 
 much time in my dreamland." 
 
 " Wherefore, senor? Have you no favor for 
 the Spanish senoritas here, that you should so 
 idly spend your time in dreams? " 
 
 " Alas ! senorita, tis because of my devotion to 
 one who keeps herself aloof, and tis for want of 
 an opportunity to tell her of my admiration, that 
 I am forced to abide in that visionary realm 
 where I can commune with her and tell her of 
 my deep adoration." 
 
 Pajarita walked a short distance to a clump 
 of nodding blue bells, and over them she stooped 
 for a second, while answering him rather scorn 
 fully: 
 
 " Fie, senor ! Dreams are such foolish, contra 
 dictory things. I much prefer the sensible, the 
 realistic." 
 
 " I too, senorita. But when one can get but 
 a peep at the idol of one s heart, then dreams are 
 very pleasant though I assure you not satis 
 fying." 
 
 " O, lack-a-day ! That idol that dreamland 
 paragon ! I am amazed, senor, that you have not 
 broken down all barriers to gain her side. Fie! 
 Were I a man and loved a maiden so goddess- 
 like, so ah, angel-fair as you have pictured 
 her, I should " 
 
 He stepped closer and whispered softly. 
 
 " Yes? " 
 
 A flush spread over Pajarita s face from neck
 
 GATHERED BY TWO 253 
 
 to brow. She tossed her head, and turned to 
 another nodding bell. 
 
 " I should build a ship and sail to her; then 
 bear her thence to a wonderful home." 
 
 "Zounds! Excuse me, senorita, but tis an 
 amazingly delightful idea ! " 
 
 " But, the maid, would she think it so, senor? " 
 
 His face grew gloomy, " That I do not know, 
 for, until this hour, I have never had a chance 
 to" 
 
 Pajarita had flown to another cluster of blos 
 soms and, before he could finish, she called back 
 over her shoulder to him in the most unconcerned 
 tone: 
 
 " Senor, how did you happen to come here this 
 morning? " 
 
 " To see you, senorita ! " 
 
 " Heavens ! You could leave the faultless 
 dream divinity long enough? But how knew you 
 I was there? " 
 
 " How? " he asked, going to her side. " Tis a 
 very realistic scene I can describe this time: A 
 patient, cud-chewing beast standing in the road 
 way holding idle a princess carreta; an indolent 
 lackey slumbering by the roadside, both appar 
 ently awaiting the Princess pleasure. Conclu 
 sion the Princess not far off." 
 
 Pajarita could not keep the dimples from play 
 ing about her mouth. 
 
 " Senor, you have missed your calling an 
 artist you should be ! " 
 
 " No, senorita, an artist is content with reali-
 
 ties only when they picture his dreams. I am 
 content with dreams only when they proxy my 
 denied realities." 
 
 " Heigh-ho ! " Pajarita cast an appealing 
 glance at the heavens, " Tis an enigma you offer ! 
 However, tis sorry I feel for you both. Now, I 
 must be away and see what a few flowers I 
 have plucked. I fear, senor, you have wasted my 
 time." 
 
 " I am greatly grieved, senorita. May I rec 
 tify the blunder by assisting you ? " 
 
 " Well, I think that you may, provided that 
 you do not talk it hinders sadly." 
 
 John s eyes brightened, " I thank you sin 
 cerely, fair Princess, and I promise to be as silent 
 as yon somber cypress tree." 
 
 A silence, then : 
 
 " Have you a taste for variety, Princess? " 
 
 Pajarita turned and looked at him. 
 
 " My faith, senor ! You have plucked nothing 
 but the poor, little heads." 
 
 He looked absently at the few straggling blos 
 soms in his hands. 
 
 " Christopher von Zebidee ! I could have 
 sworn that I knew how to gather flowers." 
 
 Laughing merrily, Pajarita seated herself un 
 der the wide branches of the unkempt tree. 
 
 " Tis unskilled you are in the art, senor." 
 
 " The fault is, I was thinking of one very 
 beautiful head and consequently, with that in 
 mind, my hands gathered these feeble duplicates. 
 Is that not logic, Princess? "
 
 GATHERED BY TWO 255 
 
 " Tis foolish reasoning, senor, and I foresee 
 that your aid will be slight, if your fingers are not 
 apter than your wisdom." 
 
 " Senorita, fair heads of flowers or mind are 
 very alluring and withal, most distracting." 
 
 She selected a blossom from among her bunch 
 and held it out to him, " Here, senor, is a sane 
 specimen for a sane bouquet." 
 
 He took the long-stemmed bell, pressed it to his 
 lips, then placed it with care in his jacket. 
 
 Pajarita kept her seat beneath the tree and ar 
 ranged the flowers John brought to her. Marta, 
 seated close by, watched the man and the girl, 
 and she alone noticed the passing of time. 
 Marta, poor soul, shook her head thoughtfully 
 as she noted the sun s rapid progress across the 
 sky and the rapt interest of the two young folk, 
 which made them utterly oblivious to all else be 
 sides themselves. 
 
 At Pajarita s request John cut some sprays 
 of fern, then seated himself at her side. While 
 chatting he selected the different hues and vari 
 eties and handed them to her. A rare moment 
 it was for him. 
 
 Poets have compared women to April showers ; 
 to stars; to angels; John could compare Pajarita 
 to flowers flowers all sparkling with dew. He 
 saw her as a beautiful, rare blossom, surrounded 
 by her court of simple flower-subjects. He could 
 hardly repress a desire to pluck her from their 
 midst and press her to his heart, as he had seen 
 her pluck and press one to her lips.
 
 256 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " Senorita," he began after several moments 
 of silence, " I have been thinking over a sen 
 tence I heard spoken the night of the ball my 
 first ball in the Californias ; twas this : * Paja- 
 rita Tis a name our Governor gave to a little 
 maid who drifted to our shores. " 
 
 Pajarita dropped the flowers she was sorting 
 and looked at John with wide eyes, then, looking 
 again at her flowers, she spoke slowly. 
 
 " You find that an odd remark, sefior? " 
 
 " Not so odd when one puts two and two to 
 gether. The name brought a line to my mind ; I 
 thought of it twice that night, once when I first 
 heard your name and again after I had seen 
 your charming dance." 
 
 Pajarita could not control her curiosity. 
 
 " Your memory recalls the line, senor? " 
 
 " Quite ! A bird is a winged symbol of divine 
 unrest. " 
 
 " Tis a line to make one think, but why con 
 nect it with my name? " 
 
 " First, because in the Spanish tongue it means 
 a bird, and secondly, because it pertinently ap 
 plies to the little maid who drifted to these 
 shores." 
 
 A delicate pink crept over her face, " Senor, 
 your remark induces me to believe that you are 
 still dreaming. Tis a monstrous silly habit you 
 have acquired ! " 
 
 " No, senorita, not dreaming, but experienc 
 ing! Instinctively I associate you with the 
 winged bird that comes then flies away.
 
 GATHERED BY TWO 257 
 
 Some day you will go! You recall your advice 
 about the ship and the princess fair? " 
 
 The pink in Pajarita s cheeks turned to a rosy 
 hue, and her eyes shone strangely dark. 
 
 " I have quite forgotten, but I do remind my 
 self that you, senor, are vastly presumptuous." 
 She rose to her feet and tossed her head. " I 
 shall give you this bit of news, sir ! I have hopes 
 of going afar some day in company with one I 
 adore." 
 
 " Zounds ! that I knew well ! " 
 
 " But not well enough, else your words were 
 not so bold." 
 
 "Aye , and his name I can pronounce as 
 well." 
 
 " Tis overwhelmingly accommodating you are, 
 senor; but, perchance, I may know it overwell, 
 and, therefore, need not your aid." 
 
 " Perchance not life is full of surprises, 
 senorita." 
 
 " Faith ! and of ttimes unpleasant ones there 
 be. In this instance, however, senor, but one 
 name goes with my future." 
 
 " Yes, and, in the saying, it sounds very much 
 like < John. " 
 
 Her face grew crimson. 
 
 " I felicitate you, senor, on your wit. Lack-a- 
 day!" She tossed her head, " Tis a common, 
 loutish name who would not prefer the one I 
 have chosen ! Seiior." She spread her skirts 
 and curtsied, " I wish you a very good day." 
 She turned a saucy head as she neared the car-
 
 258 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 reta with Marta at her heels, " I commend you to 
 the very charming, bewitching, altogether perfect 
 lady-love of your dreamland, she alone could 
 make excuses for your conduct." 
 
 John was at her side in a moment. 
 
 " I pray you " 
 
 " Pray to the Saints, senior ! " 
 
 " There is for me but one saint, and I would 
 say something to her." 
 
 " My soul ! Already you have said too much ! 
 Adios! " She seated herself in the carreta and 
 spread her skirts about her; then gave her com 
 mands to Juan. The ox switched his tail from 
 side to side and, with as languorous a gait as 
 before, began the ascent up the hill-side road. 
 
 John stepped aside. With dejected air and 
 heavy heart he watched the wicker-cart with its 
 fair occupant move off. He had risked all in 
 presumptuous daring and had lost. What a 
 chance he had had, he mused, and how ungal- 
 lantly how loutishly how dastardly he had 
 acted. Forlornly he lifted his eyes to the car 
 reta. 
 
 Pa jarita had been watching him. Acting upon 
 an irrepressible impulse which a moment later 
 she could not comprehend, she chose a flower, 
 held it to her lips for a moment, then tossed it to 
 John. 
 
 In an instant he possessed the flower and fer 
 vently pressed it to his lips. The cloud of gloom 
 fled. The flower brought with it hope and great 
 joy. Putting the flower into a folio that he car-
 
 GATHERED BY TWO 259 
 
 ried in an inner pocket, John mounted his horse 
 and, waving his hat to the retreating carreta, he 
 rode with a swift pace toward the Presidio, his 
 thoughts fairly dancing to the rhythm of his 
 heart s exultant song. 
 
 Pajarita entered the chapel with mixed emo 
 tions. The utter quiet, the atmosphere of sol 
 emnity and worship that pervaded the chapel, 
 contrasted forcibly with her state of mind. She 
 slipped noiselessly to her accustomed place of 
 worship and knelt with bowed head. To save 
 her soul Pajarita could not collect her turbu 
 lent thoughts. She reached for her rosary and 
 pressed it to her lips, and the ebony of the 
 cross seemed to her for the moment to be the 
 velvety petals of a little blossom. She opened 
 her eyes to banish a scene and endeavored to 
 concentrate her mind on the blessed prayers, but 
 foolish words kept mingling with the sacred ones. 
 Clasping her hands together tightly, she vowed 
 to heed naught else but prayer; almost instantly 
 afterward, her thoughts were again at the little 
 bower of grasses and flowers, and she was re 
 calling bits of the recent conversation. Her 
 thoughts rested longest on the last act of the lit 
 tle drama; she recalled John s disappointed, 
 gloomy face, then her own impulsive act of 
 throwing the flower to him. She bowed her head 
 lower, and her cheeks burned as she recalled the 
 rapt expression on his face when he picked up 
 the little blossom. Pressing her lips together 
 firmly, she repeated over and over again the
 
 260 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 sacred words, calling on the Holy Mother to for 
 give her and to guide her from future sin. 
 
 When Pajarita left the chapel she walked with 
 a very dignified gait, and her usually curved lips 
 very closely resembled a horizontal line. Curtly 
 she ordered Juan to hurry the lazy beast, then 
 did not speak aloud again, but all the way from 
 the Mission to the Presidio she kept silently re 
 peating the gentle prayer, " Hail, Mary."
 
 CHAPTER XXV 
 
 DON JOSE TELLS HIS SISTER 
 
 IT has been stated and recorded that woman 
 was created the weaker so that she should not 
 interfere with the will of man ; and that man was 
 created the stronger that he should not submit 
 to the whims of woman ; but that he should at all 
 times prove his dominion. 
 
 Don Jose, no doubt, could have found much 
 food for thought in this ancient adage, had it 
 been brought to his attention for dispute; how 
 ever, he pondered, not on the question of the 
 frailty of woman versus the potency of man; but 
 on the question, in his own mind, of the potency 
 of masculine supremacy versus the subtlety of 
 feminine pertinacy. 
 
 In the past, Don Jose had given little, if any, 
 consideration to the subject of dominion in his 
 own casa. After recognizing Donna Sofia s ten 
 dencies, he was content to let well enough alone 
 and to accept harmony as a fitting compensa 
 tion for sacrificed authority; but now inevitably 
 the problem was thrust upon him, to prove now 
 or never man s supremacy in his own house 
 hold. 
 
 Don Jose was w r ell aware of the magnitude of 
 
 261
 
 262 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 this problem. He had ever argued with himself, 
 in the past, that Sofia s antipathy for Pajarita 
 was nothing more than an ephemeral prejudice 
 occasioned in the beginning by his thoughtless 
 ness in not consulting her, and fostered later by 
 unfamiliarity with, and distaste for young peo 
 ple. However, as Pajarita developed into wom 
 anhood, Don Jose was gradually awakened to the 
 fact that Sofia s antipathy was not a light one; 
 but an actual personal aversion. 
 
 Many times had Don Jose endeavored to 
 analyze his sister s motive so as to justify her 
 course, though without success. He recognized 
 the force as an evil to be reckoned with, but 
 never submitted to; and Pajarita had tacitly 
 managed the situation for them all, by independ 
 ently choosing a course that seldom infringed 
 upon Sofia s rights. Thus their lives progressed, 
 as rutless a road as ever winds through man s 
 domestic affairs. 
 
 Fate is never content to leave at rest the chem 
 icals of life. She must ever be mixing together 
 the bitter and the sweet; a bit of righteousness 
 and a bit of sin; a tear and a laugh; a caress 
 with a sting. So the time arrived when Don 
 Jose felt that he must follow Fate s example by 
 disturbing the comparative peace of his house 
 hold. He must appraise Donna Sofia of his ap 
 proaching marriage. He sent his domo to Sofia 
 to arrange for a conference with his sister. This 
 step taken, Don Jose put the matter out of mind 
 for the moment, and began working on a report
 
 263 
 
 that was to go to His Excellency, the Viceroy of 
 Mexico. 
 
 The buildings at the Presidio were repaired 
 and several new dwellings had been built. The 
 old fortress was remodeled and enlarged. Dur 
 ing the year, Don Jose had caused a fort to be 
 built near the Presidio, and overlooking the 
 Golden Gate. This fort he named Fort Point 
 Borica. Many months before the work began, 
 Don Jos6 sent to Mexico for heavy artillery to 
 be installed at dach Presidio, and now he anx 
 iously awaited the storm-delayed boat. 
 
 Long and arduously he had labored for the 
 Californias, unmindful of self-interest. John 
 Asterly s ship was nearing completion; it also 
 awaited the packet-boat for its finishing equip 
 ment. The momentous problem that these un 
 dertakings had occasioned had kept Don Jose 
 busy going and coming; had deprived him of 
 mental and physical relaxation; but, now that 
 the work was drawing to a satisfactory end, he 
 began to feel like a man who has dropped a 
 heavy weight from his shoulders and at last is 
 free to do as he pleases. 
 
 Don Jose wished now to hasten his marriage. 
 He had patiently awaited the propitious time for 
 this great event, and secretly planned to have it 
 take place immediately following the christening 
 of the ship. He had made final arrangements 
 with the Padre President for the christening 
 service to take place in about two weeks, pro 
 vided the packet-boat arrived within a few days.
 
 264 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 Don Charles had requested that his marriage 
 to Angelica should be solemnized the morning of 
 the christening service, so that the two chief 
 events in his life might be solemnized together. 
 Don Jose had agreed to this arrangement, and 
 had promised a ball and a banquet on the deck 
 of the ship. It was his idea to have his own and 
 Pajarita s engagement announced at the ban 
 quet in this way, making it public for the 
 first time. He wished a simple wedding for 
 themselves to follow a few days later. It seemed 
 to him too sacred a moment in their lives to make 
 it a spectacular occasion. If he could have had 
 his own way, he and Pajarita would go alone 
 to the Mission chapel and there be quietly and 
 solemnly united by the gentle Padre Juposa 
 whom they both loved. But that was not the 
 way with the Spaniards. A wedding, especially 
 their Governor s wedding, must be performed in 
 the usual manner, with ceremony and pomp; 
 with procession, feasting and merry-making. 
 However, that could be worked out later, the im 
 perative thing now was that Donna Sofia should 
 be enlightened, for much depended upon her co 
 operation. 
 
 Donna Sofia made no delay in answering her 
 brother s summons. As she opened his study 
 door he rose quickly and placed a seat for her, 
 then resumed his own at his table. Now that 
 she was there in his room he grew confused, and 
 knew not how to begin. There had been times 
 during their lives together when Don Jose had
 
 DON JOSE TELLS SISTER 265 
 
 rather dreaded interviews with his sister; this 
 was a moment of paramount anxiety. 
 
 Donna Sofia had a way of presenting a most 
 ominous mien when summoned to her brother s 
 study. Don Jose felt this in the clasp of her 
 hands as they lay in her lap ; in her pansy-hued 
 eyes, so velvety at times and again so glittering. 
 Perhaps the impression came more from her 
 mouth, always closed with a pressure that fore 
 told volumes. 
 
 " My sister, I regret to have called you from 
 morning duties, but I shall not keep you long." 
 
 " I am ever at your service, brother." 
 
 " You have been ever solicitous of my time, so 
 I knew you would not keep me waiting. As soon 
 as I can I must away to the wharf, so I shall not 
 waste words. Sofia ah I have as you know 
 been very busy, so busy that I could not ah 
 have " 
 
 " I understand. You are not going from us 
 again? " 
 
 " No no ! That is, not right away, but per 
 haps later. What I was going to say is I have 
 not been that is time has been so " 
 
 Don Jose grew very warm about his throat, 
 and Sofia s bright eyes had a way of piercing and 
 shattering the continuity of his thought. 
 
 " Brother, are you distressed? " 
 
 " Yes ah no, no ! What I wish to say is 
 that Caramba! Sofia, Pajarita and I are 
 going to be married ! " 
 
 It came out at last with a suddenness that
 
 266 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 quite bewildered Don Jose for a second, then a 
 feeling of relief came that it was over. Sofia s 
 face went as white as the wall behind her. The 
 news was a blow that completely silenced her. 
 Don Jose continued. 
 
 " It has been some months since Pajarita 
 promised to wed me, but on account of pressing 
 duties, that demanded my entire time and atten 
 tion, I deemed it best not to make it public until 
 later." 
 
 Not a word did Sofia offer. Only she knew 
 how deeply her finger-nails cut into the palm of 
 her hand, and how her heart throbs almost deaf 
 ened her. 
 
 " I wished to tell you, Sofia, so that you would 
 have the necessary time to make all arrange 
 ments. Of course sewing-women must begin at 
 once on Pajarita s outfit, and there will, no 
 doubt, be other things that will need attention. 
 The next packet will bring materials from which 
 you must choose liberally, for I wish her to have 
 of everything the most and best. The bridal 
 chest will come on the same boat. I have had 
 everything selected in Spain with the greatest of 
 care by those experienced along that line." 
 
 Sofia felt she must scream aloud. Would he 
 never cease? A weakness came over her, she 
 fought it down. 
 
 " Sister mine, I can depend upon you to man 
 age everything aright. Come to me whenever 
 you wish. I have more time now, and will find 
 it a pleasure to assist you in every way possible.
 
 DON JOSE TELLS SISTER 267 
 
 Now," he rose to his feet, " you know our secret, 
 Sofia, and I am glad, for I am confident that we 
 shall have your sympathy." 
 
 Sofia also rose from her seat. She was piti 
 fully ill, though she still carried herself with 
 rigid dignity. Her silence effectually discon 
 certed Don Jos6. 
 
 " Sofia, you have said not a word. Are you 
 not going to wish us. happiness? " 
 
 Sofia caught the almost boyish appeal in his 
 voice. For a moment she stood choked, then, 
 controlling herself, she answered with calm 
 severity, 
 
 " I shall pray the Virgin to bless you." 
 
 A slight shadow crossed Don Jose s expectant 
 face. 
 
 " But I am asking your own blessing, Sofia, for 
 our happiness." 
 
 " Naught else but you concerns me ! " 
 
 " Then, sister, pray, if you will, that the Virgin 
 may protect my love, for if any evil influence 
 should separate me from my much beloved, my 
 Pajarita, life would indeed be bitter." 
 
 Sofia bowed her head and crossed herself, then 
 opened the door. 
 
 " The Holy Mother bless you, my brother," she 
 said. 
 
 " She has, Sofia, in giving to me Pajarita." 
 
 " Dios! " The exclamation from Sofia took 
 Don Jose to her side. 
 
 "What is it, Sofia?" 
 
 She threw out her hands in Spanish fashion.
 
 268 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " Zape! I had forgotten the tallow that melts 
 on the stove." 
 
 Utterly dumfounded, Don Jose returned to his 
 seat; drawing a handkerchief from his pocket 
 he wiped his forehead. 
 
 How could he understand that the tallow was 
 the first thing that came to Sofia s mind as an 
 excuse, and that instead of hurrying to the 
 kitchen, as he supposed, she had gone directly to 
 her own apartment. 
 
 After puzzling his mind over the unsolvable 
 question for some time, Don Jose left his study, 
 mounted his horse and rode swiftly from the 
 Presidio.
 
 CHAPTER XXVI 
 
 DON LUIS IN DISGRACE 
 
 JOHN ASTERLY had intended to ride directly 
 to the wharf after seeing the carreta with its fair 
 passenger disappear over the edge of the Mission 
 hill ; instead, he turned his horse away from the 
 main roadway and cantered along a less traveled 
 trail. It was high noon and the air was delight 
 fully clear and mellowed by the sun. John 
 turned his horse in the direction of the beach, and 
 for a mile or two rode along on the damp, springy 
 sand. The tide was traveling toward the heart 
 of the great sea and, as it went, left behind rip 
 pling wavelets that crept upon the sand, then fell 
 back to join others coming to try their strength. 
 The shimmering bay appeared motionless, save 
 for the throbbing life of the tide s undercurrent. 
 It was like a living being with its vibrant pulses 
 beating ceaselessly within. 
 
 John noted all this and wondered at the glory 
 of Nature, without attempting to analyze its 
 mysteries. He simply realized the joy of ex 
 istence and felt that it was good indeed to live. 
 He was at peace with the world and with him 
 self ; and very much in love with life. Dropping 
 his reins, he, in thought, went over the scene 
 on the hillside. The girl again was bending over 
 
 269
 
 270 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 the bright blossoms; again she laughed and 
 talked with him, her eyes sparkling, her dimples 
 playing about her mouth. He again felt the 
 force of her personality and, most of all, the 
 energy of her spirit, which was indeed her charm ; 
 it drew, fascinated and captivated. John lin 
 gered over her remarks. They pleased him. 
 
 So lost was he in retrospection that he did not 
 heed time or sound until a voice spoke at his 
 side. 
 
 " Uri. hermoso dia, Don John." 
 
 John woke to realities instantly. 
 
 " Ah, it is indeed a lovely day, Don Jose", and 
 glad I am to meet you." 
 
 " You will continue, or return toward the Pre 
 sidio, friend?" 
 
 " I shall continue, if you will add pleasure 
 to the ride by accompanying me, Don Jose? " 
 
 Don Jose smiled as he drew his horse in line 
 with John s. The horses walked together slowly. 
 
 " There is little need of adding to a cup already 
 full," Don Jose said. " I could see clearly your 
 content before I spoke to you ; however," as John 
 was about to protest, " it never overflows a cup 
 to add a spice, eh? " 
 
 " Just so ! Twould be but adding another 
 charm to a delightful day." 
 
 Don Jose returned the compliment with evi 
 dent pleasure. The Spaniard is lavish in gra- 
 ciousness, and is in return pleased to receive in 
 like manner. They were riding slowly, both oc 
 cupied with earnest thought. Don Jose s eyes
 
 DON LUIS IN DISGRACE 271 
 
 were upon the water, he seemed to study 
 the seething, pulsing body. Several moments 
 passed before either spoke. 
 
 " Don Jose, I do not wonder at your enthusi 
 asm for the Califortiias." 
 
 Don Jos*e s eyes did not leave the blue surface. 
 He waited a moment, then answered slowly 
 thoughtfully. 
 
 " The Californias reflect for me all that life 
 contains; they hold for me all that is precious." 
 He brought his eyes to John s with a sudden 
 turn, and spoke as though awaking from a dream, 
 " Senor, you, no doubt, love your own coun 
 try as I love mine, therefore you can understand 
 my sentiment? " 
 
 " Yes, senor. I do love my country." His 
 eyes shone. " America is wonderful, too, though 
 vastly different from the Californias. Here Na 
 ture has laid her bounties at your feet ; in Amer 
 ica Nature gives them in return for earnest en 
 deavor. But, senor, the joy of conquest far 
 exceeds the joy of compensation. There Nature 
 is generous as well as exacting. For our six 
 months of summer we pay the equivalent in win 
 ter ; but zounds ! the vigor, the ambition, the 
 enduring strength we receive from those months 
 of snow and ice more than repay us for the ab 
 sence of a tropical climate." 
 
 " In other words, Don John, the frost does 
 away with the ennui which is the cankerworm 
 in the tropics? " 
 
 " Yes, if you wish. You can better afford in-
 
 272 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 dolence here, than we can in our country. There 
 a man lives by the sweat of his brow." 
 
 Don Jose grew thoughtful for a time, then he 
 spoke sharply: 
 
 " No country can afford indolence not even 
 the Californias, where, as you say, the bounties 
 are laid at our feet. If this evil is not dissolved 
 through ambition it will destroy us." 
 
 John looked at this serious-minded man with 
 admiration. He understood the struggle Don 
 Jose was having to fight off this enemy of the 
 Californias. 
 
 " You are ambitious for the Californias, 
 senor? " 
 
 " I am ambitious for the Spaniards in the Cali 
 fornias." 
 
 " I understand. You fear the covetous coun 
 tries? " 
 
 " No ! My fear is not that others will forcibly 
 take from us, but that we will blindly permit 
 ravage among ourselves." 
 
 " Twas because of that you began the ship 
 industry? You thought to inspire ambition? " 
 
 Don Jose did not answer, he asked a question. 
 
 " Think you it has inspired ambition and 
 a feeling of patriotism? " 
 
 " Yes, senor, I am quite sure it has done 
 both." 
 
 " You think the Californias have a future? " 
 
 " Most assuredly, senor ; a great future. But 
 you need education for your children; you 
 need "
 
 DON LUIS IN DISGRACE 273 
 
 " I have thought of all you will say, Don John, 
 and perhaps more. Those things will come 
 later they are sure to come in their order, but 
 now Don John, you might tell me more about 
 your country." 
 
 John understood and changed the subject. 
 
 They continued their conversation for a time, 
 then Don Jose suggested they ride toward the 
 wharf. They had ridden within a mile of their 
 destination when both men drew reins at sounds 
 of sudden, excited voices. Don Jose motioned 
 John to dismount, and, leading their horses, they 
 went toward the sounds. 
 
 Around a jutting rock, and at the foot of a 
 sand dune, a group of excited Spaniards circled 
 a renidero de gallos where a cock-fight was about 
 to take place. The two men drew near without 
 being seen. Don Luis Fages was the ring 
 leader, apparently, for it was he who led the 
 betting and was foremost in all the arrange 
 ments. 
 
 The galleros held in their arms the two cocks, 
 whose combs had been removed and their necks 
 and legs shaved. Sharp-pointed spurs were 
 fastened securely to their own. For a second 
 the two fowls were held close together, then the 
 galleros who held them swung them several times 
 at each other. This produced the desired effect. 
 With every movement the ire of each rooster 
 grew, so that, when they were placed together in 
 the center of the pit they were primed for combat. 
 
 The one cock was a sandy-feathered fowl, older
 
 274 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 than the other, and much the worse for wear. 
 He was an ugly little vampire with an alert, evil 
 eye and a battered head. There was, however, a 
 sprightliness of movement and intent about him 
 that filled his admirers with enthusiasm. 
 
 The other chanticleer was young, trim and 
 manifestly inexperienced. The base of his comb 
 which had been sacrificed for the occasion 
 was as firm and pink as a sun-kissed peony. He 
 was lithe and agile and, compared to the vet 
 eran of many combats, he appeared an innocent 
 ingenue. 
 
 Don Luis laughed gleefully as he compared 
 the two cocks. The veteran had won him many 
 bets, and Luis was not going to be fickle. The 
 young chanticleer was far too unsophisticated. 
 The veteran looked at his opponent, as it seemed, 
 with contempt. Enlarging his neck with deter 
 mination, and drooping his clipped wings, he 
 flew at the innocent one. The young cock was 
 ready, and the two met in the air by way of in 
 troduction. Stiffening with purpose, they began 
 again. The older one was malicious ; when they 
 came apart the young chanticleer s breast was 
 shorn of feathers. 
 
 This elimination marred the young belliger 
 ent s beauty ; but the act that stripped him of his 
 good looks roiled him to the point of resolution. 
 Little streaks of blood flowed from his head, 
 almost blinding him; but he fought on tena 
 ciously. Both combatants became stripped of 
 their covering and their bare tendons appeared,
 
 DON LUIS IN DISGRACE 275 
 
 stretched from leaping and straining. On and 
 on they fought desperately with seemingly end 
 less endurance. 
 
 The watchers grew tense, and bets were heavy 
 on the veteran s side. The young chanticleer 
 was not so seasoned, he was visibly weakening 
 though his mettle endured. John became ex 
 cited and was about to join the group of gam 
 blers. Don Jose caught at his sleeve and drew 
 him back. 
 
 " No, friend ! " he whispered, " keep out of 
 it!" 
 
 A feeling of disappointment disturbed John 
 for a moment, then he forgot himself in watch 
 ing. His heart was with the young cock and so 
 would his money have been, had he been per 
 mitted to wager. He found himself mentally 
 urging onward his favorite. John gloried in his 
 courage, for, though he seemed to be losing, he 
 never faltered. The veteran was torn ; the inno 
 cent chanticleer was tattered. They both bled; 
 but the young cock was so streaked that his few 
 remaining feathers lay flat with moisture. 
 
 John felt that the younger one should win. 
 He found himself cursing the " dastardly, self- 
 confident, old vampire-veteran." John grew 
 warm about his neck, and his hands twitched. 
 Under his breath he urged the one and swore at 
 the other. As though the mental encouragement 
 had reached the younger bird, and renewed his 
 energy, he flew high with bloody spurs extended. 
 The cunning veteran met him in the air; they
 
 276 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 aimed their spurs at each other s heads and bur 
 ied them deeply, becoming a unit in struggle as 
 they fell. 
 
 The seconds were counted by the referees. 
 The breathless group pressed forward and 
 waited, counting in undertones with the referees. 
 
 " One three five eight ten ! " The 
 last count was but barely heard when the young 
 chanticleer struggled free, shook out his bloody 
 feathers, hopped to the back of his antagonist, 
 crowed lustily and dropped dead. Twas a 
 noble ending, though a fraction too late to win 
 him the victory. A great shout went up from 
 the spectators. No one had expected this end. 
 It enraged Don Luis. He had bet heavily on the 
 vampire cock of many victories. A dispute arose 
 between him and another don which resulted in 
 blows. Don Jose hurried to their side, but did 
 not reach them in time to prevent the drawing of 
 steel, nor the malicious lunge that sent one to the 
 sands. Don Luis stood over the wounded don 
 muttering a curse, the dagger clinched in his 
 hand. 
 
 When he lifted his eyes they met Don Josh s. 
 Don Luis lip curled. Don Jose s face grew 
 white. Kneeling he turned back the don s 
 blouse, now stained with red; examined the 
 wound; then ordered water brought from the 
 nearby bay. The man s blouse was removed and 
 torn into strips. With these Don Jose bound the 
 cut, then turned to the group of waiting men. 
 
 " Senors, this man must be carried with great
 
 DON LUIS IN DISGRACE 277 
 
 care to his home, where he can get medical atten 
 tion, if his life is to be saved." 
 
 All willingly offered their services. A litter 
 was formed and the wounded man was then very 
 gently carried to the Presidio. In a short time 
 the group had dispersed and only Don Jose, John 
 Asterly and Don Luis remained. 
 
 Calmly Don Jose led the men to the water, 
 where he washed his hands and dried them care 
 fully on his handkerchief. 
 
 " A brain as active as yours, Don Luis, has not 
 forgotten the warning I gave to you less than a 
 fortnight ago." 
 
 Don Luis muttered an excuse. 
 
 " I understand now," Don Jose continued, 
 " that leniency on my part has at last brought 
 us to a reckoning. Had I stood firm with you in 
 the past, and punished you soundly, as any cur 
 should be punished for constant disobedience, 
 this would not have come to pass." 
 
 Don Luis again offered excuses which Don 
 Jose ignored. 
 
 " Have done ! We have talked enough in the 
 past ! You have constantly indulged in excesses ; 
 you have transgressed every law I have promul 
 gated for order and progress; and, in doing so, 
 you have brought about disobedience and dis 
 order in others. This now is at an end ! You 
 will prepare to leave on the next packet-boat that 
 reaches Monterey. I shall, in the meantime, 
 write a report of your conduct to the Viceroy in 
 Mexico and explain your deportation. While
 
 278 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 awaiting the boat, keep within your house. I 
 shall trust to your honor for this, Don Luis, and 
 shall not confine you to a prison, unless you for 
 get a habit you have indulged in too often." 
 
 Don Luis sullen face turned white. He hung 
 his head for a moment, then lifted it defiantly, 
 his eyes blood-shot with rage. 
 
 " I will never leave Monterey, Senor Gov 
 ernor! " 
 
 " No, Don Luis? Friend John, we shall have 
 to ride with quickened pace if we reach the Pre 
 sidio by dark." 
 
 In a moment the renidero de gallos (cock-pit) 
 was as silent as a tomb. The ruffled sand, some 
 stained feathers, and the empty pit were all that 
 remained of a scene that was destined to cul 
 minate in tragic consequences. 
 
 d
 
 CHAPTEE XXVII 
 
 THE " CHARM-STICK " 
 
 DONNA SOFIA went directly to her own room 
 after leaving her brother s study. Closing the 
 door behind her she stood with her back against 
 it, as though too weak to proceed further. Sev 
 eral moments passed before Sofia walked over to 
 the prie-dieu and knelt before the altar. Clasp 
 ing her hands together and closing her eyes, she 
 began a prayer, but the rebellion in her heart 
 silenced the words. Hot tears ran over her 
 flushed face. With an indignant movement she 
 rose, wiped her eyes and turned from the altar. 
 She walked the floor several times, then seated 
 herself at her sewing-frame. With pressed lips 
 and determined mien she gathered together her 
 needle, thread and thimble, just as a light knock 
 sounded on her door. 
 
 Donna Sofia did not answer the knock imme 
 diately, but used the moment to brush back her 
 hair, change her expression and begin sewing. 
 By the time another knock was heard Donna 
 Sofia s little Indian maid was there to admit 
 Senorita Marie. 
 
 Senorita Marie s bright face contrasted 
 sharply with that of the older woman s. Al 
 though Sofia had assumed her regular attitude 
 
 279
 
 280 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 toward the world in general, her face was still 
 flushed and a suspicious glitter hardened the ex 
 pression in her bright eyes. Marie was too 
 shrewd not to notice that something had dis 
 pelled Sofia s usual tranquillity. She had known 
 her long enough to realize that it would require 
 something momentous indeed to bring tears to 
 Sofia s eyes, and Marie was determined to find 
 out the cause before she left the house. 
 
 It is not always a wise course to indulge our 
 curiosity, even to the extent of claiming sym 
 pathy for another. Marie was to find this out 
 before she had finished probing for the cause 
 of Sofia s distress. After greeting her friend 
 solicitously Marie seated herself close to the 
 sewing-frame and in a few words- told Sofia 
 the reason for the call. 
 
 Donna Delfina had sent Marie to- invite Paja- 
 rita and Donna Sofia to come for refreshments at 
 her casa immediately following siesta. 
 
 Marie noted the flash of light in Sofia s eyes. 
 
 " Marie, dear, it grieves me to decline, but I 
 cannot be with you ! " 
 
 " Cielo! If tis a duty that bars you, let an 
 other day attend to it ; if tis illness " 
 
 " Marie," quite sharply, " what put such a 
 foolish notion into your head? " 
 
 Marie turned her head to one side and looked 
 thoughtfully at Sofia. " Methinks I saw fever 
 in your face but, perchance, senora, you are 
 in trouble? " Marie s voice had grown very 
 tender.
 
 THE "CHARM-STICK" 281 
 
 Sofia s lips pressed firmer. 
 
 " It suffices, Marie, that, whatsoever the cause, 
 it compels me to reject your mother s generous 
 invitation. Tell her " 
 
 Marie assumed a stern mien and spoke indig 
 nantly. 
 
 " The Saints should bless you, senora ; you 
 have in the last few years continually sacrificed 
 your joy for another." The emphasis was well 
 indicated. 
 
 A color crept over Sofia s neck and face. The 
 shot had effectively reached its mark, but Sofia 
 did not answer. 
 
 " If you were sacrificing for your own, but, 
 Cielo! to be forever wasting your emotion on 
 a" 
 
 Sofia s eyes shot fire. 
 
 " Just so, on a nobody, perhaps an " 
 
 " Sofia, an outcast, to say the least, yes? " 
 Marie finished the sentence for Sofia. 
 
 " What you will ! " Sofia spoke with bitter 
 ness. 
 
 " It would not concern you so much, senora, 
 were it not for Don Jose s devotion to her, yes? " 
 
 Sofia s Spanish blood now reached the boiling 
 point. Marie had again shot with a fine skill, 
 and she waited expectantly. Sofia rose to her 
 feet, pushed the frame away impatiently, and 
 walked across the room. 
 
 " Marie, say no more ! " 
 
 " Dear friend, my heart is broken to see you 
 so troubled."
 
 282 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 Marie went to Sofia and put her arm around 
 her. Like every woman who has never known 
 the love of husband or children, Sofia had craved 
 what she had not. This longing Sofia had cov 
 ered with a cold dignity, giving her friends the 
 impression that she never troubled herself over 
 the sentimental side of life. But Sofia was hu 
 man. Her heart, like all other hearts, yearned 
 for a love that was closer than a mere friendship, 
 and, like all women, the older she grew, the more 
 she realized her need and the harder she strove 
 to mislead herself and others. She had given 
 her devotion and energy to her brother with all 
 the seriousness of her nature, and this had satis 
 fied her until Pajarita came into her life. It had 
 been the thought of sharing what she had pos 
 sessed in its entirety that had at the very outset 
 prejudiced Sofia against Pajarita. As time had 
 passed and Sofia noted Don Jose s preference 
 for Pajarita., her heart grew heavy with its 
 weight of jealousy. 
 
 Sofia was proud proud of her ancestry, 
 proud of her brother s position in the Californias, 
 and proud that she was his sister. She was also 
 very exacting ; therefore, she resented Don Jose s 
 interest in the foreign girl. Sofia could have tol 
 erated her brother s philanthropy had it been be 
 stowed upon one of their own race; but that he 
 should stoop to the level of a nobody, and then 
 desire to wed her Sofia s anguish was almost 
 too great to bear. That the Governor of the 
 Californias should wish to take to himself a
 
 THE "CHARM-STICK" 283 
 
 wife beneath him in birth and station, seemed 
 incredible to Sofia. 
 
 Marie s solicitation galled her. The thought 
 of what Marie and others might think, if they 
 knew, was a sharp thorn in Sofia s heart. She 
 pushed Marie s arm away. 
 
 " You thought I was ill when you came in, 
 Marie. I am that is my head pounds as though 
 it needed a bleeding. Go now, and tell your 
 mother I shall see her later perhaps this eve 
 ning." 
 
 " Senora, well I know it is not alone your head 
 that troubles you, and twould not take a brighter 
 person than I to know that Pajarita has torn 
 your heart. Dios! the girl has ever been a 
 torment to all of us. I know quite well, senora, 
 that you have never cared for her, and that you 
 have ever been chagrined at her boldness. I do 
 not doubt that she has from the beginning used 
 her wit to win Don Jose. And now perhaps 
 she glories in her " 
 
 Sofia came at Marie like .a lioness. 
 
 "Dios santo! You shall not say more! Tis 
 false she has not won him, and never shall ! 
 He my brother wed her a waif, fatherless 
 perchance never, never, if I can prevent it ! " 
 
 The truth was out. Marie s face went white; 
 and she dropped into a seat for fear of falling. 
 She had probed for the truth never dreaming of 
 its depth. She felt choked hot, then cold. 
 Sofia went to the prie-dieu, where she knelt with 
 her head in her hands. A silence filled the room.
 
 284 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 There was not a sound. Marie felt she must 
 scream. She rose. She knew she must leave 
 immediately or do something rash. Sofia still 
 knelt with her face hidden in her hands; Marie 
 softly opened the door and slipped out. 
 
 At the gate Marie s criado awaited with the 
 horses. Marie, without a word, placed her foot 
 in the man s hand and sprang into her saddle. 
 The horse Marie rode was a spirited animal. He 
 had grown restless during the long wait, and 
 now whirled and pranced, champing nervously 
 at his bit. Marie was in no mood to be annoyed ; 
 she jerked at the reins impatiently. The horse, 
 also, was impatient. Marie demanded a whip of 
 the criado. He warned her to use it judiciously, 
 but Marie s arrogance forbade her to accept ad 
 vice. Angrily she raised the whip. The animal 
 reared majestically, its eyes widened, and every 
 nerve was on edge from restraint. Marie let the 
 whip fall on the rounded thigh with a decisive 
 snap. The horse sprang forward, maddened 
 with the blow. 
 
 Frantically the criado urged his own mount, 
 following as best he could the horse and rider 
 who were fast disappearing from view. Mile 
 after mile the self-will of maiden and beast vied 
 for dominance. Marie, her southern blood seeth 
 ing, lashed the high-spirited animal. Each time 
 the raw-hide fell on the quivering flank, its owner 
 leaped forward with a greater speed. Marie did 
 not try to think, her whole being was centered 
 on controlling the infuriated beast.
 
 THE "CHARM-STICK" 285 
 
 Neither horse nor rider was willing to recog 
 nize a superior. Both struggled for mastery. 
 Marie possessed no fear, although, a few mo 
 ments earlier, she had realized that her control 
 through the bit had gone, and, if she was to 
 conquer, it must come through relentless cruelty. 
 
 League after league they covered, Marie keep 
 ing her seat as best she could, -and the horse 
 blindly racing onward, maddened with the con 
 sciousness of its own strength. Marie had no 
 thought of time or distance. Her arms were the 
 only things of which she was cognizant; they 
 ached from their long strain at the reins. 
 
 Descrying a narrow trail which wound its way 
 over the slope of a nearby mountain, Marie drew 
 on the right rein, hoping for results. The horse 
 chose the trail as though instinctively. Marie 
 saw her opportunity ; lifting the whip, she lashed 
 the horse with all the remaining strength she 
 possessed, not ceasing until the animal slowed 
 through sheer exhaustion. 
 
 Marie s lips were wreathed in a triumphant 
 smile. She had won as she believed she al 
 ways would win, whatever the manner of con 
 flict. Her rage had flown with the struggle, and 
 now a wave of tenderness for the beautiful crea 
 ture caused her to slip from its back to the 
 ground. The horse was quivering from un 
 strung nerves and exhaustion; foam dropped 
 from its mouth. Gathering handfuls of leaves 
 and grasses, Marie used them to rub down the 
 lathered flanks. She caressed the head, and ut-
 
 286 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 tered tender phrases to calm the affrighted eyes. 
 
 A brisk wind rounded the bend in the trail 
 causing the horse to rear nervously. Marie 
 tightened her hold on the reins and steadied 
 herself. Half alarmed, she glanced at the sky. 
 Heavy, dark clouds were racing in the sky. 
 When they collided there would be rain plenty 
 of it. Shelter must be found quickly. Leading 
 her horse, Marie left the trail, traveling beneath 
 the trees for protection. The wind grew in fury 
 and large drops of rain fell. Marie was unde 
 cided whether to continue walking or to mount 
 and ride as swiftly as possible toward home. 
 She knew the day was far spent, and, even if 
 she rode swiftly every mile of the way, evening 
 would overtake her before she could reach the 
 Presidio. 
 
 She had walked about a mile when the rain 
 began in earnest. The sky was so burdened with 
 its gray, water-filled clouds, that the earth was 
 darkened. Under the trees there was a dark 
 ness almost of night. Marie stumbled onward, 
 holding tightly to the reins. She knew it would 
 be folly to attempt to ride in the face of the 
 storm. Already a heavy fog was racing with the 
 clouds. Marie wondered if she could continue 
 through the density of fog and shadows. Decid 
 ing not to run the risk, she tied the reins se 
 curely to a sturdy limb, and was about to seek 
 shelter beneath a tree, when a bolt of lightning 
 fell from the sky and curled itself about the top 
 of a tree not many feet away. Immediately the
 
 THE "CHARM-STICK" 287 
 
 top fell and a fire flared from the trunk as though 
 it were a lamp intentionally lighted to illuminate 
 the forest. The deafening peal of thunder that 
 followed was so terrific and sudden that the horse 
 leaped then cringed in abject terror. Marie 
 stood rigid, her eyes wide open and fascinated; 
 her head slightly upturned. Not a particle of 
 color remained in her face. Gaining control of 
 herself, she glanced first at the sky then at her 
 horse. He stood hunched, his head turned from 
 the storm. 
 
 By the aid of the burning tree torch, Marie 
 detected a small hut nestling among the low 
 bushes a few rods beyond her shelter. Gather 
 ing up her skirt, she made her way through the 
 blinding storm to the welcome refuge. 
 
 Cautiously Marie pushed open the door and 
 stepped into a low room. Before a ground fire 
 of burning knots, sat two persons an old In 
 dian and his squaw. The squaw sat close to the 
 flickering light, her head bent over an object of 
 wood she was carving; the man lay sprawled be 
 fore the fire. Both merely lifted their eyes as 
 Marie entered, then indifferently turned their 
 gaze away. 
 
 Marie was too anxious for shelter and warmth 
 to stand on ceremony. She said something to 
 the Indians which they apparently did not under 
 stand, or heed, then she seated herself as close as 
 possible to the fire. They evidently did not re 
 sent her intrusion, though their tolerance may 
 have been simple resignation.
 
 288 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 Marie looked about the room. It was low, 
 squalid, and filthy. What was there was Na 
 ture s offerings. Shadows dancing through the 
 gloom gave the few objects an uncanny indefinite- 
 ness, which left Marie speculating. The few 
 hides, heaped in a corner, could easily have 
 stretched into awakening forms and walked 
 forth. Marie would not have been greatly as 
 tonished had the bundles of dried vines, fruits 
 and grains, lying on the earthen floor, writhed 
 and hissed in fear of the caldron that steamed 
 over the flames. She half expected the bent and 
 crooked hag to reach over, gather up a handful 
 of squirming, slimy, live things, to feed the boil 
 ing pot, croaking an evil spell as she stirred the 
 evil brew. 
 
 The miserable hut with its withered occupants, 
 the sputtering flames, the shadows, and the mu 
 sical pattering of the falling rain, gave the girl 
 a queer sensation a restleness mingled with 
 something very like fearful anticipation. There 
 was a sense of peace and warmth within a 
 shelter in the time of storm that caused her to 
 overlook the filth and poverty, yet these qualities 
 only seemed to enhance the weirdness. 
 
 Her eyes seemed drawn as though by magic to 
 the old squaw. Marie s eyes were fascinated 
 with the wisps of straggling hair; the dried, 
 leathery skin fretted with a net-work of wrinkles ; 
 the bony fingers that worked with a marvelous 
 dexterity. Marie drew closer and peered at the 
 object over which she labored. It was a stick,
 
 THE "CHARM-STICK" 289 
 
 not much thicker than the hag s forefinger and 
 about four inches long. Silently and deftly the 
 woman carved on the one end an intricate lace- 
 like pattern. 
 
 Marie had heard of the Indian " charm-stick." 
 She had listened many times to weird, terror 
 tales of its magic power. She knew that the 
 one end was carved, and the other was left round 
 and smooth, so that a woman s hair could be 
 wound about it as a spell. It was reputed to 
 possess power to wreck the hopes of hated rivals. 
 A cunning smile curved her lips as she thought 
 of Pajarita and her golden locks. She recalled 
 what Donna Sofia had just told her. She was 
 sorry for Donna Sofia, but she felt more con 
 cerned for herself. Her eyes shone with an in 
 ward fire, as she declared to herself, " Paja 
 rita shall never marry Don Jose ! Never ! 
 Never ! " She, Marie, would see to that, if not 
 through a charm-stick, then with native cun 
 ning. 
 
 Marie s cheeks were flushed and her eyes spar 
 kled, as she rose and went to the squaw. Throw 
 ing a trinket at her feet, Marie demanded the 
 " charm-stick." Marie might have imagined, 
 had she wished to peer into the hag s partly con 
 cealed eyes, a wicked, sinister expression lurk 
 ing there. However, she was too preoccupied 
 with her own thoughts and plans. 
 
 Leaving the hut, she went outside. The storm 
 was over. The wind had chased the fog from the 
 mountain to the sea, and, save for a few billowy
 
 290 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 clouds that hung low, the air was clear, and 
 tinted with the afterglow of a vanishing sun. 
 Marie hurriedly went to her horse. He was paw 
 ing at the damp earth and champing his bit 
 anxiously. The air was damp and cool, and 
 the horse moved restlessly. Marie tightened 
 his girth, then sprang to the saddle. The 
 horse darted forward; Marie held the bit 
 firmly back of the determined teeth, and sat 
 her horse as though she were riding a fleeting 
 cloud. 
 
 Night had fallen when Marie threw her reins to 
 a criado at her father s casa. There was much 
 excitement over her return; but, being very 
 weary, Marie ignored all questions, and went 
 directly to her room. Her maid was there to 
 assist her. Quickly she removed Marie s riding 
 clothes, helped her into a loose robe and began 
 to uncoil the long braids of hair, when her eyes 
 lighted on the curious stick Marie had laid on 
 her table. 
 
 The maid hesitated at her work long enough 
 to draw Marie s attention. 
 
 " Neita, stupid! Why do you not hurry? 
 What are you doing? " 
 
 " The charm, senorita I noticed " 
 
 " Charm ! What charm ? " 
 
 The girl reached for the stick, and held it be 
 fore Marie. 
 
 " Tis the very devil himself, if it lay in your 
 own casd, with your own hair wound about the 
 end,"
 
 THE "CHARM-STICK" 291 
 
 Marie was interested. This was a new side of 
 the question. 
 
 " You are a fool, to believe such nonsense, 
 Neita. What do you know about the devil? " 
 
 " Ah many things ! Does the senorita know 
 about the charm? " 
 
 "Attend to my hair! Do you, then?" 
 
 " Si, senorita." 
 
 " Then tell me what you know, quickly, and 
 keep your wits on your work. You are pulling 
 my hair." 
 
 The girl craved pardon, then began. It was 
 a charm, she said, to gain back the waning affec 
 tion of a lover. If there is a rival, one must take 
 a strand of her hair, wind it carefully about the 
 smooth end of the stick, then secrete the charm- 
 stick in the rival s room. The result is always 
 sure she will lose her lover. The charm has 
 even been known to bring great disaster to the 
 casa where it has been hidden in this way. The 
 girl s eyes grew wild, as she stumbled along, al 
 most incoherently. 
 
 Marie laughed. " Cielo! You heathenish crea 
 ture! What then, if the charm should remain 
 in your own casa?" 
 
 " Si, senorita. Tis the devil then, if your own 
 hair is wound about it." 
 
 " And what will happen then? " 
 
 " The senorita will never wed the one she 
 loves, and her heart can never more be healed 
 of its wound." 
 
 The girl had completely forgotten Marie s hair.
 
 292 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 Sharply, Marie ordered her to her task. The 
 comb caught in the long strands, just as Marie 
 turned her head. The pain caused Marie to 
 jump to her feet. She reached for the brush. 
 In a second the maid was on her knees, crying 
 from the blow Marie had dealt her. 
 
 When the trembling maid left the room, Marie 
 picked up the " charm-stick," looked at it 
 thoughtfully, then slipped it into a jewel box, 
 and went to the grating, where she stood and 
 mused. She would get a lock of Pajarita s hair 
 
 she would ask Ann, Sofia s criada, to get the 
 combings from Pajarita s brush. Twas despic 
 ably foolish of her to believe in this simple 
 legend, but why not test it just for sport? 
 True, twas claimed its merit had been proved 
 many times. Why should she not resort to even 
 an Indian legend, if it could win her the love that 
 was rightfully hers ! 
 
 Curling herself comfortably in bed, Marie 
 thought long over the tiny miracle-stick, associat 
 ing it with other persons, until later in her 
 dreams, witches and serpents mingled with the 
 aged Indians, Pajarita and Don Jose. In her 
 dream she seemed to be separated from the others 
 
 left alone, far away on a desert where a storm 
 howled about her like a mighty beast, ready to 
 prostrate her at any moment. And through it 
 all the tiny " charm-stick," with blazing eyes 
 crawled after her, over her, until with a scream 
 
 she awoke.
 
 THE HEART OF JOHN ASTERLY 
 
 THE packet-boat arrived, ladened with many 
 luxuries, some necessities, and the artillery 
 which Don Jose had awaited so anxiously. The 
 first day, after the canvases had been spread over 
 the sands with the ship s wares attractively dis 
 played, the people thronged to the chosen place 
 to admire and select what prompted their fancy 
 groups of senoritas, with their duennas, and 
 seiioras, just as anxious to view and secure bar 
 gains as the senors. 
 
 The arrival of the packet-boat from Spain and 
 Mexico was an occasion for high rejoicing, for 
 it brought not only the finery all Spaniards loved 
 and indulged in; but it also brought wines that 
 warmed the hearts of the most fastidious, choice 
 tobacco, shoes, woolens, a few books, and the 
 social, as well as the official letters from across 
 the sea. 
 
 This boat was especially welcomed, perhaps 
 because of the bridal chests snugly carried in its 
 hold, or, perchance, on account of its long de 
 layed arrival. Months had slipped away since 
 it had first been expected, so that those depend 
 ing on its cargo for special occasions had almost 
 despaired. 
 
 293
 
 294 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 Senorita Angelica, for one, daily importuned 
 her patron saint to guide its course safely against 
 evil winds or storms, for well she knew that not 
 for a kingdom would she be induced to wed even 
 Don Charles without her bridal chest and robes. 
 Don Jose and John Asterly, too, for different rea 
 sons, had anxiously yearned, and if they did not 
 appeal to their chosen saint, they did, under their 
 breath, pray for the ship s speedy advent. 
 
 The two weeks following the anchorage of the 
 packet-boat were busy ones. The artillery was 
 hauled to the fort and arranged in place. Don 
 Jose went with the boat to the other Californian 
 posts to help install the artillery consigned to 
 each, while John Asterly, Don Charles, and many 
 other willing hands labored over the finishing of 
 the ship. It was painted and rigged, and, when 
 Don Jose returned to Monterey, he viewed the 
 majestic creation with just pride and satisfac 
 tion. 
 
 The ship s nativity meant more to Don Jose 
 than simply an achievement or a possession; it 
 stood for the Californias progress, security, and 
 final independence. It was the developed moth 
 er-germ whose prospective family fleet was to 
 represent if not a mighty, at least a com 
 mendable navy, sufficient and worthy of the land. 
 
 So the name Buenaventura was chosen for 
 the ship a name indicative of its purpose, and 
 during Don Josefs absence this name had been 
 painted plainly and artistically on the bow, so 
 that, when he stepped on shore from the packet-
 
 HEART OF JOHN ASTERLY 295 
 
 boat, it was the name that first caught his eye. 
 
 John Asterly s heart had been in the construc 
 tion of the ship; but, now that it was a com 
 pleted creation and independent of him, his in 
 terest waned. John s heart was centered in an 
 other project, dearer and far more personal, and, 
 because he was forced through Spanish customs 
 to either cry his intentions from the house 
 tops, or remain forever silent, he chafed and 
 tormented himself into a fever of restless im 
 patience. 
 
 Spanish customs forbade all intimacies be 
 tween young folk. They met in public or at 
 social gatherings; but with hawk-eyed duennas, 
 ever suspiciously vigilant, and at such close 
 proximity to their precious charges that the most 
 ardent admirers were daunted. If a youth be 
 came enamored of a seiiorita, he proclaimed it 
 to the public through his nocturnal devotions 
 with his guitar, at the young girl s grating. He 
 was rewarded with a token thrown at his feet, 
 if she approved. However, it was the parents 
 who received him in the salla, who talked with 
 him, and accepted or rejected him according to 
 their wishes. Never were the lovers permitted 
 to be alone with each other until after their 
 marriage. 
 
 John Asterly knew this, and it irritated his 
 American spirit of independence. Pajarita had 
 attracted his attention from the first moment he 
 had seen her owing partly, no doubt, to an 
 awakened curiosity. Curiosity always falls back
 
 296 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 on reflection, and John soon found himself con 
 templating many things appertaining to the fair- 
 haired girl, who had aroused his interest. Then, 
 it was, quite naturally, that John s interest gave 
 place to a desire. The forbidden fruit of to-day 
 nags at the palate as insistently now as in the 
 world s beginning. He wished to see more fre 
 quently the object of his interest ; this simple de 
 sire being denied him, it came to seem the para 
 mount necessity of his daily life. 
 
 When a man believes that Fate is attempting 
 to play him a trick, and that trick happens to be 
 the privation of even chance meetings with a 
 charming girl, the man usually takes exception, 
 and immediately loses his head. In John s case, 
 the heart went first, then the head. If John was 
 uncertain of his feelings toward Pajarita in the 
 past, the day on the hillside road, when she tossed 
 back at him the little flower, would have con 
 vinced him of his deep love for her. Now the 
 time had arrived when he must tell her of his 
 love, and, if possible win her; but he was going 
 to do this in his own way not in Spanish 
 fashion. 
 
 At last, casting all discretion to the winds, 
 he determined to seek Pajarita at her home. Im 
 mediately he set about to procure Juan s co 
 operation. When John first proposed the ven 
 ture, the Indian flatly refused his aid. The 
 thought of Donna Sofia s wrath, were she to dis 
 cover them in the patio, nullified all the induce 
 ments John could offer him. The Indian s sym-
 
 HEART OF JOHN ASTERLY 297 
 
 pathies, however, were finally aroused, and he 
 consented, though with many misgivings, to ad 
 mit John into the patio, then point out Paja- 
 rita s grating. Only the deep admiration Juan 
 held for the American induced him to take such 
 a risk. Juan had felt Sofia s anger many times, 
 in lashes that had cut deep, for far more trifling 
 offenses. His simple mind could not imagine a 
 penalty severe enough for the greater misde 
 meanor of covertly admitting a foreigner to the 
 patio a courtesy extended even to Spaniards 
 only on social occasions. 
 
 However, Juan ran all hazards, though, after 
 they were inside the high-walled garden, his fear 
 almost wrecked John s plans. It took but a mo 
 ment for John to reach Pajarita s grating a 
 square opening, latticed with bars and draped 
 with rose-covered vines. John knocked lightly 
 on the metal railings with his ring, then anx 
 iously waited for a response. 
 
 A dim light burned in the room, perhaps be 
 fore the altar, for the sun had but slipped to rest, 
 and the Western sky was as yet an exquisite man 
 tle that might have rivaled Joseph s of old, so 
 variegated it was with sunset hues. Again John 
 tapped lightly, then, breaking off a cluster of 
 buds that hung from the vine about the opening, 
 he threw them into the room. Several moments 
 passed before anything happened, then a head 
 appeared. To John s great consternation it be 
 longed to Marta, Pajarita s duenna. The wom 
 an s eyes opened wide as they looked into John s
 
 298 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 disappointed face. Indignantly she left the 
 opening without a word. 
 
 John knocked again and again, his determina 
 tion growing w r ith the number of appeals. He 
 realized that he must use the greatest care not 
 to attract the other members of the family. How 
 was he going to succeed? Dejectedly he leaned 
 against the vines, his mind eager with his prob 
 lem. In an instant his eyes lighted. Taking 
 off his hat, he flung it through the opening into 
 the room, then waited. 
 
 Marta s eyes flashed dangerously, as she faced 
 the young man. Thrusting his hat at him, she 
 muttered : 
 
 " Go ! No good she no lika you, go ! " 
 
 " Wait ! " John urged. 
 
 " No lika go ! " 
 
 " Marta, you are telling a falsehood. Wait ! 
 Tell your mistress that I must see her a moment 
 here. I have something very important to tell 
 her." 
 
 "Go!" 
 
 " No! Not until I talk with your mistress." 
 
 Several moments passed before a mantilla-cov 
 ered head appeared. John s face beamed his 
 pleasure. Pajarita s was set in severely cold 
 lines. 
 
 " Senor, never before have I known such bold 
 ness." 
 
 "Ah, senorita," his eyes showed his triumph, 
 " never before have I known such happiness." 
 
 " You amaze me, senor ! " rigidly.
 
 HEART OF JOHN ASTERLY 299 
 
 " You bewitch me, senorita ! " appealingly. 
 
 The dimples peeped in her cheeks in spite of 
 her effort. 
 
 " My faith ! " with studied severity, " Senor, 
 you are tormenting " 
 
 " And you, seiiorita, are tantalizing ; but I am 
 willing to overlook even that for this glimpse of 
 you." A mischievous smile lurked in the corner 
 of his eye. 
 
 " Saints in heaven ! " Pajarita s face showed 
 her amazement, " You are patronizing ! Go im 
 mediately, or I fear " 
 
 " Senorita, I fear nothing but your scorn." 
 
 " Then leave, senor, before I am tempted to 
 exercise that quality to your chagrin." 
 
 " I would chance even that to tell you my mo 
 tive in coming here." 
 
 " Have you lived so many months in the Cali- 
 fornias, and yet remain ignorant of Spanish cus 
 toms? " 
 
 " No ! I am well aware of the despicable rule 
 that forbids perfectly proper conferences between 
 ah friends, unless in the presence of a fam 
 ily, or of formidable, frosty-visaged duennas who 
 could quell the ardor of Don Cupid himself. I 
 tell you, senorita, it is an antiquated and abom 
 inable custom and should be abolished ! " 
 
 " In truth no doubt ! " Again the dimples 
 peeped. " Then, senor, am I to understand that 
 you are beginning disinterested work for lovers, 
 this evening? " 
 
 " Zounds, no ! Pardon me, senorita, but in
 
 300 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 truth, I am not interested collectively in lovers, 
 
 tis in my own interest I protest." 
 
 " Oh ! Surely my stupidity is amazing." 
 
 " And mine also, senorita, to have been here in 
 
 the Californias so long before finding this simple 
 
 means of overcoming silly customs." 
 
 John slipped his arm between the bars and 
 
 captured Pajarita s hand. 
 
 Her face grew scarlet and her eyes affrighted. 
 
 " Senor, release my hand instantly ! " 
 
 " Tis a tempting little hand, senorita." 
 
 " I command you to release my hand ! " 
 
 " Senorita, never have I seen a more luring 
 
 one." 
 
 " Tis monstrous impudence ! I could weep 
 
 for being so deceived in one I thought so gal 
 lant." 
 
 " Pajarita ! " All the devotion of a full heart 
 
 in the word. 
 
 Her white lids veiled her eyes. 
 
 " I love you I adore you, Pajarita ! " 
 
 She lifted her head and their eyes met. She 
 
 read his heart and her own beat fast. There was 
 
 something in his glance. . . . He lifted her hand 
 
 to his lips. . . . Juan, breathless and excited, 
 
 touched his arm. 
 
 " Senor Senor, hurry Come ! Some one 
 
 see ! " 
 
 John shook off the Indian s anxious hand. 
 " Go you red imp and keep your peace ! " 
 John turned again to the grating. Pajarita 
 
 had disappeared. John felt, for an instant,
 
 HEART OF JOHN ASTERLY 301 
 
 alone in the world. He spoke sharply to Juan. 
 
 " You loutish knave ! Why did you come 
 blundering here? " 
 
 The Indian looked crestfallen. 
 
 " Seiior say watch." 
 
 " I did, but that meant in your own place 
 not here ! " 
 
 " No, senor, no see here see there ! " point 
 ing to a spot a few rods away. " Some one see 
 I think perhaps senora. If she see better you 
 be dead." 
 
 "You simpleton! Why are you such a cow 
 ard?" 
 
 No answer. 
 
 " Come then, ye spiritless guardian, away ! " 
 
 The Indian youth looked grateful. Hurriedly 
 he led the way to the rear entrance, and un 
 locked the heavy door. Juan heaved a deep 
 breath of relief as they both passed out. John 
 Asterly mounted his waiting horse and swiftly 
 rode away. 
 
 Pajarita did not wait a second to slip away 
 from the grating when John Asterly released her 
 hand. She sent Marta to the patio to get rid 
 of her ; she wished to be alone. Pajarita was con 
 cerned over Juan s message. 
 
 Who, she wondered had seen them at the grat 
 ing; and what would come of it? Her face 
 burned. If Donna Sofia should learn of it and 
 tell Don Jose Pajarita s heart almost stopped 
 beating. Folding her arms tightly she began 
 walking up and down the room waiting
 
 302 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 waiting for something, she knew not what. She 
 tried to think. Would Don Jose mistrust her? 
 Would he quarrel with John Asterly no, no! 
 Don Jose did not quarrel with any one; but he 
 would be disturbed. The thought hurt. She 
 could not endure to wound him. 
 
 " O, Mother Mother Mary, I wish it had not 
 happened ! " 
 
 Her eye fell upon the cluster of rose buds that 
 lay on the floor. She stooped and picked them 
 up and then buried her face in them, as though 
 to hide the telltale color in her face. A smiling 
 face, with tantalizing eyes now grown serious, 
 seemed to look at her from the flowers, and a 
 voice from their depths whispered, 
 
 " Pajarita, I love you ! " 
 
 Pajarita s heart fluttered, as did the roses in 
 her hand. She went to a drawer, took out a 
 jewel box, and was about to place the buds beside 
 John s note that lay in its depths, when she hesi 
 tated. A sudden pained expression caused her 
 to close her eyes. With trembling lips she mur 
 mured, 
 
 " No, no ! I am not true not even to myself ! 
 O, Pajarita, how could you forget, how could 
 you ! Holy Mother," she bowed her head, " give 
 me strength to resist to be true. Help me 
 Holy Mother, help me ! " Tears ran over her hot 
 cheeks and dropped through her fingers. 
 
 Several moments passed in silence. The can 
 dle burning fretfully cast a dim glow over the 
 bowed head. When Pajarita again turned to the
 
 HEART OF JOHN ASTERLY 303 
 
 jewel box a resolute expression shone in her eyes. 
 Taking up the note she quickly tore it into bits. 
 A dried, flattened flower, that had once been a 
 golden poppy, fell from its folds to the floor. 
 Pajarita picked it up, looked at it with a tender 
 longing, then crushed it to ashes. 
 
 The roses lay on the table. Pajarita reached 
 for them to throw them from the grating. She 
 could not; they were so bright, so fragrant and 
 smiling. Instead, she put them into a vase of 
 water, then placed them before the Virgin-image. 
 
 " Mother Mary," she whispered, " they are an 
 offering to thee." 
 
 Throwing a rebosa about her head she went 
 into the patio where she found Marta. Soon the 
 two were hurrying toward the water s edge, 
 where Pajarita sat for a long, silent time study 
 ing the tumbling, singing waters. A peace came 
 to her and, as she watched, a smile curved her 
 lips. To-night the sea wore her jewel-draped 
 gown in honor of her adoring, roguish lover 
 the moon.
 
 CHAPTER XXIX 
 
 THE GOOD SHIP " BUENAVENTURA " 
 
 THE morning of the great day the day des 
 tined to become memorable to these few hundred 
 Spaniards arrived at last. It came after a 
 black-faced, dank night, bringing with it a griz 
 zled fog that retired to the sea after a few hours 
 companionship with the morning light. 
 
 The events of the day began with the marriage 
 of Senorita Angelica and Don Charles, which 
 was solemnized in the chapel amidst a crowd of 
 friends and spectators. The Padre President 
 performed the service at an early hour so that the 
 bride and groom and their guests could later at 
 tend the christening and launching of the ship, 
 which was arranged to take place at high noon. 
 After the ceremony the bridal party rode to the 
 Presidio, where a feast awaited them. The cus 
 tomary siesta then intervened between the hour 
 following the banquet and that preceding the fes 
 tivities at the dock. 
 
 Long before the hour set for the christening, a 
 crowd of anxious, curious people gathered at the 
 wharf. The ship, like a great white swan, sat in 
 the dock. Its masts were strung with flags that 
 blithely waved with the ocean breeze and its huge 
 hull was decorated with garlands of evergreen. 
 
 304
 
 THE "BUENAVENTURA" 305 
 
 The crew from the packet-boat had been trans 
 ferred to the new ship, by way of courtesy from 
 the boat s Captain to the Governor of the Cali- 
 fornias; so that on its deck could be seen white, 
 uniformed sailors and dignified, haughty officers 
 who talked and laughed with gaudily attired 
 seiioras, senoritas, and Spanish gentlemen. On 
 the deck a band of musicians sat directly under a 
 large, white silk flag embroidered with a wreath 
 of golden poppies, centered with the name, Cali- 
 fornias, in blue silk letters. The martial music 
 of the instruments floated out over the rippling 
 folds of the beautiful emblem. 
 
 At exactly the moment the sun reached its 
 zenith a cortege of mounted dignitaries rode into 
 view. The people who stood about the dock 
 crowded forward and cheered heartily. Hats 
 were waved and, when the men dismounted, loud 
 were the exclamations of joy. As the Governor, 
 with uncovered head and smiling face, passed 
 them he was deafened by shouts of " Bueno 
 amigo! Long live our beloved Golternador our 
 friend, our little father ! Hurrah, hurrah ! " 
 The man s eyes shone with a wonderful light 
 and his lips were curved with a smile of paternal 
 benevolence. 
 
 On the sand, close to the bow of the ship, was 
 arranged a platform on which stood the military 
 men of the Presidio, and also John Asterly, and 
 the Padre President. The Governor and his 
 staff stepped to the stand and the band with a 
 great flourish played the Spanish national air,
 
 306 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " God save the King and the Constitution." 
 The melody and the anthem echoed far across 
 the sea as the voices blended in a glorious 
 jubilee. 
 
 The music and the rejoicing floated off on the 
 white-capped waters and midst a breathless 
 silence the cassocked priest lifted his right arm. 
 Immediately the people, one and all, dropped to 
 their knees with bowed heads, while the Padre 
 President petitioned the Divine Father for bless 
 ing and guidance in the ship s destiny for the 
 good of the Californias. After the eloquent 
 words the Padre baptized the vessel with holy 
 water. The Governor then poured rare wine 
 from a bottle into a tall, silver goblet and passed 
 it to the Padre. He drank and passed it back to 
 the Governor who also drank, then, lifting high 
 his arm, threw the remaining half of the liquor 
 on the bow of the ship. 
 
 Amidst a clamor of music and cheering the 
 dignitaries hurried up the gangway to the deck. 
 
 The ship with a mighty quiver moved down 
 ward over the ways, then with a graceful, majes 
 tic motion glided into the sparkling water, leav 
 ing behind a shimmering pathway banked on each 
 side with foamy, scattering white-caps. The 
 ship floated as tranquil and secure as a colossal 
 sea-bird, its banners streaming out with the 
 breeze, until it rounded the peninsula point of the 
 bay. Even when it had passed from view, in its 
 short trial trip, the people still stood watching 
 for its return. However, it was several hours
 
 THE "BUENAVENTURA" 307 
 
 before the stately ship reappeared, and was 
 guided to its safe anchorage at the wharf. Then 
 began its adorning for the ball to follow in the 
 evening. 
 
 Posts with great pine knots fastened to their 
 tops had been planted in the sands from the Pre 
 sidio to the wharf, to form an avenue of light. 
 When dusk began to scatter her shadows over 
 the Californias the neophytes lighted the resin 
 ous pitch tops, which sputtered and smoked, 
 then broke into flaming balls of fire, illuminating 
 the heavens, the nestling cove at the base of the 
 mountains, and the sea with its new treasure 
 so securely anchored at the wharf. 
 
 The ship was adorned with many lights that 
 sparkled on the waters below. The incoming 
 tide gathered strength to caress the hull, then 
 fall away, leaving, for just a moment, a smooth 
 surface that reflected back the brilliancy and 
 beauty of the scene aboard the ship. 
 
 The deck displayed a thrilling picture of 
 charming grace, resplendent beauty, and dazzling 
 colors, when the guests had arrived. The debo 
 nair Spaniards sauntered gracefully about, flirt 
 ing desperately with beaming Spanish beauties; 
 haughty officers of the army and navy vied with 
 the caballeros for an enchanting gleam from the 
 sparkling eyes of the seiioritas, whose beauty 
 radiated perfection under the glow of flame and 
 the consciousness of admiring glances. 
 
 Dancing began with the Grand March, led by 
 the Governor of the Californias, stately and regal
 
 808 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 in his uniform of velvet and gold, with Seiiorita 
 Pajarita on his arm. All eyes were drawn to 
 the pair. No one had ever seen them together 
 in this way before, and that Don Jose had chosen 
 Pajarita for his partner, on this notable occa 
 sion, caused all to look at the girl with wonder, 
 mingled with admiration. 
 
 Pajarita was worthy of it. She was dressed 
 in a black velvet gown with close fitting decollete 
 basque, sleeves that flared at the elbow, and volu 
 minous skirt. The black robe enhanced her 
 blonde fairness, making her strikingly beautiful. 
 Partly over her golden curls dressed high and 
 held in place with a tall, tortoise-shell comb 
 was draped a black silk mantilla a rare cre 
 ation and around her neck and falling below 
 her waist was a strand of exquisite pearls, a gift 
 from Don Jose. 
 
 Behind Don Jose and Pajarita came the Com- 
 andate and Seiiorita Marie. The Comandante 
 was flushed and uncomfortable of body, but im 
 portant and supremely happy in spirit ; Senorita 
 Marie was radiant in a scarlet gown of silk, 
 flounced with black lace. Marie s mantilla was 
 black, and in her ebony-hued hair nestled crim 
 son roses. Her eyes held the only jewels she 
 wore. 
 
 The Captain of the packet-boat and Donna 
 Sofia came next and, behind them, Don Charles 
 and his newly-wedded bride; then came Captain 
 Sol and Marie s mother, and other officers, cabal- 
 leros and their ladies, all forming a march that
 
 THE "BUENAVENTURA" 309 
 
 was imposing, even regal. Around the deck of 
 the ship they marched, at last breaking the line 
 to swing their partners off into a dreamy dance 
 as the musicians changed their tempo from march 
 to waltz. 
 
 John Asterly had intended to enter the pro 
 cession until he learned that Pajarita was to be 
 the partner of Don Jose. He stood back as spec 
 tator and allowed his jealous heart to curse the 
 man at her side. He watched Don Jose look at 
 Pajarita with tender eyes, tinged with adora 
 tion, and he saw that Don Jose held her arm with 
 an air of proud possession. The young man 
 grew morbid rebellious. What right, thought 
 he, had the Spaniard to display that confounded 
 air of solicitude and devotion ! He need not act 
 like an owner because he happened to be her 
 foster-father by deal of fortune! The officious 
 Governor should be made to realize others had 
 some claim to Pajarita by right of nationality, 
 if nothing else, and, moreover, John had fully 
 made up his mind that he would make every ef 
 fort to win her for himself. John gritted his 
 teeth as he wandered through the crowd. From 
 time to time he saw Pajarita dancing with others, 
 but mostly with Don Jose. John could see the 
 Governor s satisfaction and it angered him, 
 though, in spite of this, John s true feelings came 
 to the surface and he admired the quiet, self- 
 reliant man and considered him admirable as 
 ruler of the Calif ornias. John was to learn 
 later that Don Jose was noble as well in other
 
 310 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 things; but just at this moment John imagined 
 he hated the man ; but then, love is ever impulsive 
 and selfish. 
 
 Not able to restrain himself longer John 
 walked boldly to the radiant Pajarita, who was 
 chatting with a group of seiioritas and asked 
 for a dance. Pajarita looked at John with won 
 dering eyes. A mischievous dimple peeped from 
 the corner of her mouth, as she gave him her arm. 
 
 Donna Sofia had witnessed the little scene and 
 she drew her lips together in a semblance of 
 smile, as the two walked away. This was a 
 golden opportunity offered jlist when Sofia had 
 begun to despair of a chance to appraise her 
 brother of the scene that she had witnessed at 
 Pajarita s grating. In a very few hours the en 
 gagement was to be announced. If she was to 
 act it must be quickly. She watched John and 
 Pajarita, and noticed they did not dance; but 
 withdrew from the throng. This act in itself 
 was a grave offense in Sofia s prejudiced eyes, 
 and, as a result, she compressed her lips in even 
 thinner lines. 
 
 When Don Jose a little later came to Sofia to 
 inquire for Pajarita, Sofia was ready. 
 
 " Ah, brother, I hoped you might come while 
 yet there was time." 
 
 " Time, Sofia, for what? " 
 
 " To see with your own eyes. Long has your 
 blindness grieved my heart, brother; now your 
 eyes may be opened." 
 
 Don Jose laughed good-naturedly. " Speak
 
 THE "BUENAVENTURA" 311 
 
 not so foolishly, Sofia, this is no time for ser 
 monizing, tis an occasion for unbounded happi 
 ness." 
 
 " Pardon me, my brother, but tis you who 
 talk foolishness." 
 
 " Caramba! I had hoped that your disposition 
 had been improved by the pleasure of the hour. 
 Smile, Sofia, or you will be lonely our little 
 world to-night breathes joy." 
 
 "Dios!" Sofia spoke scornfully. "Brother, 
 tis true what has been said about an old man as 
 a lover." 
 
 The thrust was so keen and to the point that 
 Don Jose s eyes flashed fire. " There are other 
 unwise heads than those of lovers," he said, " and 
 I would advise you to consider this seriously be 
 fore speaking upon subjects that never have and 
 cannot now concern you." 
 
 Sofia flushed, then retorted with flashing eyes : 
 
 " Brother, your sarcasm finds no place to light 
 with me. However, I venture you might let 
 your eyes serve you in the absence of your 
 wisdom." 
 
 " My eyes have already shown me many things 
 I could wish them not to have seen." 
 
 " Cielo, you say that ! Then, brother, look 
 yonder and you will see more of the like." A 
 slight smile made Sofia s expression malicious. 
 
 " Caramba, woman, you are a riddle." Don 
 Jose had turned in the direction of Sofia s eyes. 
 
 " See you, Brother Jose, Pajarita and her 
 lover? "
 
 312 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 Don Jose looked at his sister with a curious 
 expression was she losing her mind ? 
 
 " Sofia, it seems you can use your eyes as fool 
 ishly as your tongue." 
 
 " Ah, ofttimes what would appear foolishness 
 to the simple is wisdom to the wise. Look not 
 as though you thought me mad tis you, 
 brother, who have lost your head. Cielo! grow 
 not pale forgive me for wounding you. 
 Gladly would I have put off this evil hour, could 
 I have saved you otherwise." 
 
 Don Jose s eyes had again wandered toward 
 Pajarita and John, while his sister was talking. 
 
 "Santa Maria! Tis a moment given me to 
 save you, brother." 
 
 " Silence ! " Don Jose s face became gray. 
 
 The woman laughed low, " Tis exactly what I 
 expected. Proof I must offer, yes? Wait, 
 brother, just a moment. What think you when 
 I tell you that not longer than two days since 
 I saw Seiior Asterly at Pajarita s grating? " 
 
 " Dios, woman ! Would you have me curse my 
 sister? Your evil thinking will lead you to purg 
 atory." Then in a gentler voice, " Sofia, my sis 
 ter, can you not curb your unfairness? " 
 
 " No ! If you will not believe me, go to them, 
 over there, ask them if he did not whisper words 
 of love to her; if he did not shower kisses upon 
 her? Ask them if she did not stand and with 
 gentle sighs receive all this with soulful eyes? 
 Go, go ! " Sofia s eyes glistened wildly and her 
 voice rang with malice.
 
 THE "BUENAVENTURA" 313 
 
 Don Jose leaned against the railing to sup 
 port himself. His face was drawn and color 
 less and he looked about him anxiously to see 
 if any one had heard; but apparently the music 
 had drowned their voices. He kept silent for 
 several moments. 
 
 " Sofia, by all that is holy, if I find that you 
 have been deceiving me you shall suffer." 
 
 " Go ! " she pointed to where Pajarita and 
 John still stood, " find out for yourself." 
 
 Don Jose did not go directly to the couple. 
 He could not, just yet, trust himself. He 
 walked the length of the ship several times, try 
 ing with all his strength to overcome a great, 
 surging passion. In spite of his desire to scorn 
 Sofia s suggestion its sting had planted poison. 
 The one paramount feeling within him was the 
 desire to kill. He gripped the hilt of his sword, 
 gritted his teeth, and paced to and fro, struggling 
 with this great emotion. 
 
 The sky grew darker, the ship more luminous 
 as neophytes renewed the torches. The hearts 
 of the merrymakers grew gayer and their feet 
 nimbler, as Indian maids passed and repassed the 
 wine. The music steeped the air in sensuous 
 melody, seeming to sway the ship s motion to 
 its rhythm. All was harmonious enchanting. 
 The dark, white-capped waves lapped against the 
 hull of the ship, rocking it peacefully, lovingly; 
 the people laughed and danced and the lovers 
 built castles as it were on the tumbling waves. 
 Don Jose looked long and unseeingly at the sea s
 
 314 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 depth below, while one despairing cry rang 
 through his head " fool ! fool ! " 
 
 Slowly he walked toward the spot where stood 
 Pajarita with John Asterly. As he drew close 
 he heard their voices. John was speaking im 
 pulsively passionately. 
 
 " Pajarita, you cannot, you shall not marry 
 him. I " 
 
 " Senor Asterly ! " 
 
 " But he is a Spaniard, and old enough to be 
 your father. You are an American and, and 
 I am your countryman, and I love you ! " 
 
 Pajarita s face showed distress. 
 
 " Senor, will you not, if you have regard for 
 me, refrain from saying more? My decision 
 pleases me, what more is there to say?" 
 
 John looked disconsolate. For a moment his 
 eyes gazed at the floor ; when he lifted them again 
 to Pajarita s face a great compassion wrung her 
 heart. 
 
 " Somehow, Pajarita," he continued, " I be 
 lieved that you might love me. Wait it was 
 presumption, I know, but, that day on the 
 road to the Mission when you threw me the 
 flower " 
 
 Pajarita moved as though to leave him. She 
 showed great agitation. " I cannot stay here 
 longer. Tis unheard of improper and I 
 shall be" 
 
 John stepped quickly beside her. 
 
 " Tis my only chance to speak alone with you, 
 and I must know the truth. Please please
 
 THE "BUENAVENTURA" 315 
 
 just one word ; is there no little feeling for me in 
 your heart, Pajarita? " 
 
 Don Jose in the shadows had not dreamed of 
 eavesdropping. He had been arrested by the sig 
 nificance of their conversation, now his life 
 seemed to depend on Pajarita s answer. It 
 would be so easy for her to utter emphatically 
 her negative declaration. Why did she hesitate? 
 But wait again she spoke ! . 
 
 " Senor, I I am weary, I would return to 
 the others." 
 
 " Senorita, I am sorry. I love you too well to 
 give you pain, and yet I have grieved you. Tis 
 little wonder that you love not so loutish a 
 knave " 
 
 Pajarita s usually high spirit seemed to have 
 flown. She lifted a protesting hand a hand 
 that trembled. Her eyes met his with a look that 
 thrilled his heart. 
 
 " Senorita, you do you do care for me ! " 
 
 Pajarita gasped. 
 
 " No, no ! You must not ! This is treachery 
 to one I honor " 
 
 " Wait ! " Don Jose stood before them. His 
 voice had the ring of steel, " You will pardon if 
 I interrupt this tender scene? " 
 
 " Don Jose ! " Pajarita s voice was frightened 
 pleading. 
 
 " Silence ! " said the man. 
 
 " Zounds ! " John s eyes flashed fire. " I 
 have asked her for the truth are you not will 
 ing to hear it? "
 
 316 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 " Just so, in good time. Meanwhile, I will 
 talk alone with you at once." 
 
 " Gladly, senor. I have a few things to say." 
 
 " Senorita ! " Don Jose turned to escort Paja- 
 rita to the women folk. She had disappeared. 
 
 The two men, avoiding the throng, made their 
 way down the gang plank to the wharf. Paja- 
 rita with pounding heart had slipped away un 
 seen. She had intended to go directly to Donna 
 Sofia, but an irrepressible repugnance to Sofia s 
 presence at this moment of trial caused her to 
 turn in another direction. She hardly knew 
 what she was doing, or where she was going, 
 until, in an effort to avoid attention she came 
 upon the ladder leading down to the second deck. 
 An impulse came to her to seek Marta and per 
 suade her to take her home. Pajarita knew she 
 was somewhere on the lower deck, assisting with 
 the refreshments. 
 
 Gathering up her heavy skirt she quickly de 
 scended the rungs. Neophytes were hurrying to 
 and fro preparatory to serving the banquet. 
 Pajarita looked about her anxiously. A young 
 Indian boy came to her side. She sent him for 
 Marta. The woman was beside herself when she 
 saw Pajarita. It was not right for her charge 
 to be there away from the aristocracy. She 
 grew concerned over Pajarita s pale face, and 
 would have hurried away for their cloaks, had 
 not Pajarita detained her. Pajarita did not 
 wish to be seen leaving the ship by those who 
 would question her, yet she must be alone. She
 
 felt ill, and very anxious. If Marta could only 
 take her to a quiet place for just a few moments, 
 where she could calm herself. She looked about 
 her. 
 
 " Marta, have you been over the ship? " 
 " Si, senorita." 
 
 " You must take me below. I want to hear the 
 waves pound against the hold, I want to be away 
 from everybody. Come ! " 
 Marta s eyes shone wonder. 
 " Senorita, no go ! Marta no lika big dark 
 no mucha light no good." 
 " Marta ! " sternly. " Come ! " 
 Imperiously the young girl walked toward the 
 second descent. The lower deck was poorly ven 
 tilated and lighted, but this did not annoy Paja- 
 rita. A strange, familiar sense of exhilaration 
 took possession of her. The dash of the heavy 
 water against the hull made a deafening noise 
 that might have terrorized any other woman, but 
 to this girl it meant only the recollection of early, 
 half -forgotten joys. She was again on her fa 
 ther s frigate ; again trailing after him as he in 
 spected the hold ; again living on the briny, tum 
 bling sea. 
 
 No one was about on the third deck. The few 
 torches that cast but a dim glow had been lighted 
 and hung earlier in the evening for the con 
 venience of possible curious sightseers. Some 
 few had burnt out and what remained burning 
 gave only enough light to guide their steps. 
 All Pajarita s agitation had fled with her re-
 
 treat from the crowd and the confusion. A peace 
 came, as it always did when she was alone and 
 close to the water. She looked over her shoulder 
 at Marta and laughed lightly. The poor soul 
 was greatly disturbed and profoundly uneasy. 
 To herself she kept muttering religious phrases 
 as though to ward off some pursuing demon. 
 Hurrying with an endeavor to keep close to Paja 
 rita, Marta was kept in an unsettled state oc 
 casioned by the rocking motion of the ship that 
 disturbed her physical calm ; and a genuine fear 
 of the uncanny gloom in this lonely part of the 
 ship. The vessel itself was to her an unearthly 
 monster in which she had no confidence. 
 
 Selecting a place in the shadows Pajarita 
 seated herself and motioned Marta to do like 
 wise. Pajarita did not attempt to talk to her 
 duenna. Her thoughts were full of the problem 
 facing her. Now that her secret seemed to be 
 known to the two men most concerned with her 
 future, she did not try to deceive her own heart. 
 For months she had struggled against her grow 
 ing regard for John Asterly. 
 
 Completely lost in thought, Pajarita was en 
 tirely unaware of another s presence, until a 
 stealthily moving figure, bearing a lighted torch, 
 startled her into attention. The shadows were 
 so thick about the deck that the light he carried 
 brought him into prominence by silhouetting his 
 form against the dark background. Pajarita in 
 stantly recognized Don Luis Fages, in spite of 
 the pale face and disheveled, unkempt figure.
 
 THE "BUENAVENTURA" 319 
 
 The blackness of his long, unribboned hair in 
 tensified the wildness of his look. 
 
 Pajarita shuddered and placed her hand over 
 Marta s mouth to indicate silence. She did not 
 wish to be discovered and she drew herself to 
 gether with intense resolution. Not a motion did 
 the two women make as they watched the man s 
 actions. Peering up and down the apparently 
 deserted deck, Don Luis, waited for a moment 
 with seeming caution. Satisfied that no one was 
 near to witness his intentions, he lowered his 
 torch and hurried toward a small closet which 
 was but a short distance from where the women 
 sat. 
 
 Turning the key which had been left in the 
 lock, Don Luis partly opened the door and en 
 tered. In a moment he was out, carrying in one 
 hand the torch and in the other a large bucket. 
 He did not close the door. Quickly he went to 
 the far end of the hold and, propping up the 
 torch, he poured a yellow fluid from the bucket 
 upon the floor. 
 
 Pajarita, for the first time, began to realize the 
 man s purpose. Before she could gather her 
 wits, he had applied the torch to the oiled floor 
 and was back again to the closet with the empty 
 bucket. Pajarita s brain was in a tumult. She 
 wanted to scream, but could not. Frantically 
 she clutched at Marta s arm, trying with all her 
 mind the while to think out some plan of action. 
 As Don Luis entered the closet, Pajarita s quick 
 eye caught the flash from the brass key in the
 
 320 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 lock of the door. In an instant, and before 
 Marta was aware of her movement, Pajarita, 
 with the agility of a cat, had slammed the door 
 and turned the key. 
 
 " Dios Dios ~bueno!" she panted. What to 
 do next? 
 
 A frantic pounding on the door startled her 
 into action. With Marta close at her side, she 
 hurried to the place where the fire had been 
 lighted. Already the flames were rapidly lap 
 ping at the ship s planks. 
 
 " Madre de Dios! Help, help! Marta, you 
 must I must can you not understand?" 
 She grasped at the poor woman, who was trying 
 to gather something tangible from the girl s ex 
 clamations. 
 
 " Marta," growing calmer, " you must go 
 quickly for help." 
 
 " No go senorita go." 
 
 Pajarita looked about her, then down at her 
 heavy velvet skirt. In another moment she had 
 slipped it off and was beating at the fire. Marta 
 attempted to take the skirt from her. 
 
 " Marta," with flashing eyes, " go immedi 
 ately ! " Pajarita was regal in her commanding 
 dignity. " Do you not understand, Marta, that 
 the people must be told to leave the ship before 
 there is a panic? Go! I can hold the fire in 
 check until you send me help. Tell all you meet 
 that Don Jose would have them hurry to the 
 wharf where he awaits them. On the main-deck 
 find Juan among the musicians, whisper to him
 
 THE "BUENAVENTURA" 321 
 
 the truth. He must then go to the Comandante 
 and tell him that Don Jose wishes him to lead the 
 people off the ship with the music. Go now! 
 Wait ! Juan must then find Don Jose and send 
 him here to me. Marta, I trust you and Juan to 
 obey. The Holy Virgin go with you ! " 
 
 The woman crossed herself and hurried away 
 as fast as the ship s motion would permit. 
 
 Pajarita had given her orders so quickly and 
 breathlessly that after Marta had gone she won 
 dered, as she frantically beat at the creeping fire, 
 if Marta could carry out her instructions without 
 disorder. Pajarita s one idea had been to get the 
 people off the ship so as to avert disaster through 
 a panic. She firmly believed that she could hold 
 the flames in check until Don Jose and others 
 reached her, and that they could save the ship. 
 
 Time seemed an eternity to the struggling girl 
 who, however, never wavered, but kept tena 
 ciously at her task. Growing exhausted, she 
 would relax for a breathing space, then, with a 
 greater energy and a hope that assistance was 
 closer at hand she would begin again. Smoke 
 now filled the space about Pajarita choking her 
 and bringing tears to her smarting eyes. Her 
 face was besmeared and her hair flew about her 
 shoulders. She had loosened her tight basque 
 and rolled up her flying sleeves. It would have 
 been difficult, indeed, to recognize the dazzling 
 girl of a few hours earlier in the now disheveled, 
 unmantled creature who fought the fire-demon 
 with an almost superhuman strength.
 
 322 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 Pajarita had, in the beginning, checked the 
 flames, and, had aid reached her as soon as she 
 had anticipated, all would have gone well; but 
 now, even with all her persistence and courage, 
 Pajarita realized at last that her efforts were 
 futile against the rapid progress of the fire. 
 With nerves tingling and unstrung, she glanced 
 wildly at the now sweeping flames. There was 
 little time left to save herself. The smoke was 
 dense and suffocating, almost obscuring the light 
 from the fire. She staggered toward the ladder 
 leading to the deck above. A great wail from 
 the prisoner in the small room made her stop. 
 Don Luis! She had forgotten him. He must 
 not be left to perish like a rat in a trap. She 
 went to the door and was just about to turn the 
 key when a premonition of evil checked her. 
 What was she to do? He had been so relentless 
 in his desire to destroy the ship that he had not 
 considered human life. Enraged at his captiv 
 ity, effected through her efforts, she felt quite 
 sure that, when she released him, he would not 
 hesitate to avenge himself. 
 
 Finally, however, compassion mastered fear. 
 She turned the key, then ran breathlessly to the 
 ladder. Rung after rung she climbed, not dar 
 ing to glance backward. She heard the man s 
 fierce oaths as he leaped from the closet, then the 
 rush of his swift steps across the floor. He be 
 gan to ascend the ladder the same moment that 
 Pajarita reached the second deck. It was 
 cleared. She drew a deep breath of relief; the
 
 THE "BUENAVENTURA" 323 
 
 people were safe. With hand pressed to her 
 throbbing heart, she hurried to the steps leading 
 to the main-deck. She felt the jar of the man s 
 heavy step behind her and she grew dizzy. 
 
 " You little she-devil ! " Don Luis screamed. 
 "It was you, eh? well, I will punish you for 
 your interference. You need not hurry, I have 
 you! You would lock me up, would you?" 
 
 His rage shone from glistening, bloodshot eyes. 
 With the look of a maniac he clutched at her and 
 flung her to the floor. The indignity infuriated 
 Pajarita. Every particle of fear and fatigue 
 was replaced by an overmastering wrath. She 
 fought the man with wonderful strength. 
 Wildly laughing and cursing alternately he 
 struggled with her as she scratched at his face 
 and tugged at his long black locks. From under 
 his arm she slipped away time and again, only to 
 be dragged back roughly by arm or hair. 
 
 Don Luis did not hear the footsteps descend 
 ing the drop, he was noisily yelling : 
 
 " The Governor s pets the ship and you 
 you little foreign brat shall perish together. 
 The ship is going and you you will go 
 with it." 
 
 Don Jose had him by the throat. 
 
 " You devil-dastard villainous blackguard ! " 
 Don Jose choked out the words. The two men 
 fell to the deck together, grappling, reaching for 
 each other s throat, while John Asterly and Juan 
 lifted the senseless girl and carried her to the 
 upper deck.
 
 324 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 Like two demons the men fought amidst clouds 
 of thick smoke that came up from below and 
 curled about them. Don Jose lost his trim ap 
 pearance. His hair became unbound from its 
 ribbon, and flew about his face. His neck cloth 
 loosened and fell to the floor, and his fine linen 
 blouse was torn from his back. Don Luis fought 
 like a caged beast, and Don Jose had to use his 
 wit to compete with the crazed man, who was 
 more than an even antagonist, fired with his 
 brute rage and long-cherished hatred. Don Jose 
 was level-headed and strong, he knew well how to 
 use his fists, but the smoke was strangling and 
 its darkness disconcerting confusing. . . . 
 
 In the clear air it would not have taken Don 
 Jose long to deal Don Luis bloody chin the clever 
 blow that at last laid him out; but several mo 
 ments of fierce fighting had taken place before 
 this happened. If their lives were to be saved 
 from the leaping flames, there was no time to be 
 lost. 
 
 Juan begged his master to leave the disgraced 
 don on the rapidly sinking ship, but Don Jose 
 quietly ordered him and two other Indians who 
 had accompanied them below, to carry Don Luis 
 to the main-deck. There they found John As- 
 terly still waiting for the recovery of the uncon 
 scious girl. The ship some time before had been 
 loosened from the wharf, the flames threatening 
 to endanger the packet-boat and several small 
 boats on the wharf. The huge, white sails had 
 been unfurled and the fated ship was quickly
 
 drifting from shore. Several row-boats, handled 
 by expert Indians, hung about the ship, waiting 
 to rescue the persons still aboard. 
 
 Immediately ropes were fastened securely 
 about Pajarita and she was carefully lowered, 
 then came John Asterly. Juan insisted upon 
 saving his master, but Don Jose motioned him 
 to put the ropes around Don Luis. It was, by 
 now, too late for the others on deck to wait for 
 the ropes. The ship s hull was submerged, and 
 what remained of its deck was swept with flames. 
 Don Jose and the Indians made a mad dash, so 
 as to dive far, and plunged into the seething 
 depths. 
 
 The anxious people on the wharf and sands 
 were watching breathlessly. All were too sub 
 dued and far too sad to make a sound. The 
 boats with their few passengers reached the shore 
 in safety and Pajarita was immediately taken 
 care of by loving hands. It was some time before 
 Don Jose and his companions were picked up by 
 the watchful Indians and rowed to shore. 
 
 The burning ship was a magnificent sight. 
 Far over the dark, white-capped billows, the fire 
 cast a brilliant glow. A rosy reflection pene 
 trated the curtain of mist that hung low from 
 the sky, tinting it a coral hue. Up to the very 
 pinnacles of the masts the fire curled, like writh 
 ing serpents. 
 
 To Don Jose, who watched it all, it was as the 
 leering laugh of Satan who had deftly flouted 
 defeat and disaster before his eyes at the very
 
 326 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 apex of his success and happiness. Abject de 
 spair deadened his mind and blinded his smart 
 ing eyes. Never again during his life would Don 
 Jose experience so bitter a moment. He had 
 struggled and hoped, as only man can, for the 
 welfare of the Californias; but the defeat of his 
 ambition was as nothing compared to the de 
 struction of his life s happiness. 
 
 The spectacular scene, made by the burning 
 ship as it floated out to sea, was to him symbolic 
 of his own hope awakened and thrilled to life 
 through genuine devotion, developed and made 
 whole through belief in a reciprocated love, then 
 burnt to cinders through deception and despair. 
 
 While the wearied people trailed away into 
 the foggy darkness, Don Jose waited, a lone spec 
 tator. Long he stood, silent and lonely, until 
 the drapery above lost its tinted hues and the 
 sea grew morbid with gloom, then a hand on his 
 arm aroused him. 
 
 " Good Master." Juan s tone was ardent with 
 devotion. 
 
 Don Jose turned and put his hand on the In 
 dian s shoulder and together they walked away.
 
 CHAPTER XXX 
 
 n 
 
 THE HEART OF PAJARITA 
 
 THE Presidio seemed obliterated. A heavy 
 fog had joined the sky and earth and an ob 
 scurity, as mystical and uncertain as death, en 
 compassed the land. A storm at sea was caus 
 ing a tempestuous surf that beat against the 
 rocks in fury. This constant booming of angry 
 waves was the only activity visible, all otheF mo 
 tion was chilled into numbed abeyance. 
 
 In the little casa, belonging to the Governor, 
 not a ray of cheerfulness glimmered. The hearts 
 within were as depressed as was all Nature with 
 out. Faces wore anxious expressions; voices 
 were subdued; and all moved about fearfully, 
 noiselessly, not knowing what evil was yet to be 
 fall. 
 
 Two gloomy, apprehensive days had dragged 
 by since the night of the great disaster; and 
 this, the third day, was the saddest and most 
 dismal of all. Pajarita lay in a little chamber 
 off the patio, unconscious of the depression about 
 her. The night of the fire they had carried her 
 there and placed her in bed. The next day, the 
 doctor had pronounced her illness brain-fever, 
 
 occasioned by the shock she had received. He 
 
 327
 
 328 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 had cautioned and even frightened them, urging 
 quiet, and perfect nursing. 
 
 Marta, as dark-spirited as the weather, and as 
 severe as the storm at sea, hovered over Pajarita 
 day and night, strengthening the feeble thread of 
 life through ever vigilant devotion. 
 
 Donna Sofia, humbled by the grief and care 
 that had befallen her brother, served self-im 
 posed penance for her sin by keeping in her own 
 room, and constantly at prayer. She had begged 
 her brother s forgiveness after confessing her 
 falsehood and vowed on the cross never again to 
 oppose his wish. 
 
 Don Jose, too sad himself to impose misery 
 upon another, even for as serious an offense as 
 his sister s, had quickly eased her mind. 
 
 " Penitence cleanses the heart, my sister," he 
 told her, " go and find your peace, and think no 
 more of me." 
 
 Don Jose, austere of mien and reticent of 
 speech, spent his time between his study and 
 Pajarita s bedside, where he relieved Marta. 
 During these uncertain hours he learned many 
 things. The girl s delirium revealed to him her 
 heart, and, through the quiet, somber hours that 
 seemed in length like years, he thought over the 
 things he heard from her fevered lips, and he 
 marveled at her courage, sincerity, and, most of 
 all, her deep and lasting gratitude to him her 
 benefactor. 
 
 They were at first bitter moments. This girl 
 had seemed so entirely his own in the past that
 
 THE HEART OF PAJARITA 329 
 
 to imagine her belonging to another wrung his 
 heart. He wished time and again that he, to 
 gether with Pajarita, might close.his eyes on this 
 earthly life and pass beyond into the great 
 eternity. There he would, perhaps, find peace 
 and felicity. Then again he would condemn 
 himself for evil imaginings. No one but him 
 self could ever know the hours of anguish he ex 
 perienced. There were moments, while watch 
 ing at her bedside, when he struggled against the 
 temptation to clasp her to him for solace and 
 peace. He had loved her in the past, and now, 
 with the thought before him of losing her, he 
 knew that no one else in all the world could take 
 her place. 
 
 The pounding of the surf against the rocks 
 made a mournful sound as of deep moaning. 
 The gloom of the dank morning and the silence 
 of the dim casa weighed on Don Jose s spirit. 
 The worry of the last three days was telling on 
 him, he was depressed and weary. 
 
 Moments passed in the quiet room. Marta, 
 busy about a chest of drawers, suddenly gasped 
 loudly. Don Jose, on a tension from anxious 
 watching, was instantly on his feet and bending 
 over Pajarita, when Marta, showing great agi 
 tation touched his arm. He stepped away from 
 the bed and motioned Marta to his side. The 
 woman s face depicted such utter horror that 
 Don Jose grew anxious. 
 
 He shook her roughly, and questioned her in a 
 whisper. Muttering incoherently, she held be-
 
 330 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 fore his face a small stick, one end carved, the 
 other end wound with golden hair. The In 
 dian s eyes were expanded and her lips trem 
 bled. 
 
 " What is it? " Don Jose questioned, almost be 
 side himself with impatience. 
 
 Marta in broken sentences told Don Jose the 
 significance of the " Charm-stick." She ex 
 plained it was Pajarita s hair that was wound 
 about the end. 
 
 " Senor, the devil he come bring death 
 senorita she die " 
 
 " Who put the hair on it and brought it here? " 
 Don Jose asked sharply. 
 
 Marta shook her head mournfully. 
 
 " Same like ring." 
 
 " Dios! what mean you, Marta?" 
 
 Marta told Don Jose about the secret of the 
 ring that had been lost in the pool of the foun 
 tain. 
 
 " Senorita Pajarita she wish ring on Senor 
 Jose s finger. Marta tell her Indian way 
 senor keep ring on till he marry senorita, then 
 be happy if he take off before he no marry 
 senorita no be happy. Senorita Marie she 
 take off ring drop in water no find more 
 Same Marie put Charm-stick here make sad 
 Pajarita come sick die ! Senorita Marie, 
 she devil ! " 
 
 The woman s eyes flashed fire. Don Jose 
 silenced her. 
 
 " Marta, put the foolish stick into the fire,
 
 THE HEART OF PAJARITA 331 
 
 and say no more about it to any one. It is all 
 nonsense do you hear ! " 
 
 Don Jose reseated himself at the bedside. 
 Marta took the stick and left the room. She 
 did not burn it, however, but, after carefully 
 ripping off the hair, she slipped it inside her 
 waist. Putting a covering over her head, she 
 hurriedly made her way through the dense fog 
 to the Comandante s casa. There she delivered 
 the " Charm-stick " into the hands of Marie s 
 maid, whose grievance against her mistress for 
 unjust chastening made her pliant to the scheme 
 of revenging herself on Marie. This result, 
 Marta and the maid both firmly believed, would 
 be effected by the " Charm-stick," wound with 
 Marie s hair, and placed in her room. 
 
 A subtle, satisfied expression glinted in 
 Marta s eyes as she left the Comandante s house. 
 If Pajarita could not have the Senor Governor, 
 then the black-eyed Senorita Marie should not 
 Marta had seen to that by having the " Charm- 
 stick " snugly hid in a corner of her room. 
 
 Marta was revengeful, it is true; but she was 
 also loyal. An injury to one she loved was an 
 insult to her which she felt in duty bound to 
 avenge. Since the day, so long ago, when Paja 
 rita had won Marta s liberation from bondage, 
 Pajarita had been the light of Marta s dull ex 
 istence. For Pajarita she lived and for her she 
 would, if necessary, die. 
 
 Don Jose was still seated at the bedside when 
 Marta returned. He wished to be alone, so he
 
 332 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 sent her away and resumed his watch. He 
 looked long and anxiously at the sleeper she 
 was so quiet, so motionless and white, that a 
 great fear took possession of him. He bowed his 
 head dejectedly on the white coverlet. 
 
 Time flew by. The fog lifted and the sun be 
 gan to pierce the density. Utterly weary, Don 
 Jose closed his eyes. A light touch on his bowed 
 head caused his heart to beat wildly. Slowly he 
 turned his head. 
 
 " Daddy -don ! " A tender light shone in the 
 large, hollow eyes. 
 
 " Thank God ! " Don Jose" breathed aloud. 
 " Pajarita ! " He was on his knees beside her. 
 He would not allow her to talk, so she smiled 
 wanly into his sad face. He coaxed her into a 
 peaceful sleep, then, but not until he was sure, 
 did he slip away to tramp for a while over the 
 fog-soaked earth. 
 
 Nature is a tender sympathizer in spiritual 
 moods as well as a good Samaritan in material 
 ways. Man, if he will, may lose his sense of 
 finite care in her subtle atmosphere of sufficiency, 
 her mighty amplitude and strength. Don Jose, 
 after hours in the solitudes of the forest, re 
 turned in comparative peace. 
 
 Pajarita s convalescence was rapid. It was 
 assisted by the good will and solicitous atten 
 tions of friends. There was nothing now too 
 good for the girl who had saved so many lives 
 at the peril of her own. Flowers and gifts were 
 showered upon her day after day. Her hours
 
 THE HEART OF PAJARITA 333 
 
 were filled with cheerful diversions. Callers 
 came to talk and inadvertently, so it seemed, to 
 enjoy the refreshments Donna Sofia had care 
 fully prepared and had ready to serve. Among 
 all the dons who came, not once did Pajarita s 
 searching eyes catch a glimpse of the one on 
 whom her thoughts most dwelt. 
 
 The dark, wet days grew less and less and soon 
 the Californias were bowers of tropical beauty. 
 The sunny days warmed the earth and unfolded 
 the infant buds into richly colored blossoms. 
 The new leaves pushed aside the rusty ones, re- 
 decking the branches and vines in glistening 
 green. The birds, busy with mating and re 
 furnishing their nests, filled the fields and groves 
 with joyful carols. 
 
 One very glad day, Pajarita and Don Jose sat 
 in the sunny patio. He had avoided all mention 
 of the past, but to-day they talked over the fate 
 of the ship. Pajarita was anxious for Don Jose 
 to build another vessel but he shook his head. 
 
 " No ! " he told her. " Fate interposed to shat 
 ter my hope. Perhaps twas too ambitious the 
 future will tell." 
 
 They talked long and earnestly together. Don 
 Jose had noticed that, day after day, Pajarita 
 did not gain back her lightness of heart, she 
 seemed weighted with some problem. This wor 
 ried him, though he would not question her. He 
 felt that in due time she would, as she had always 
 done in the past, confide in him. 
 
 She lapsed into a long silence after their
 
 334 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 cheerful conversation. After a long struggle 
 with herself, she at last spoke falteringly. 
 
 " Daddy-don ! " 
 
 "Yes, Pajarita." 
 
 " I I want to talk about " 
 
 He drew closer and took her hand. 
 
 " Pajarita, you must not worry yourself over 
 anything. You must get strong " 
 
 " I know," she interrupted him. " I shall get 
 strong in due time, but daddy dear, I never 
 meant that that Oh, daddy, can you not 
 understand that I never intended to be false to 
 you?" 
 
 Don Jose closed his eyes for a second. 
 
 " Pajarita, well I know " 
 
 " No, no ! You do not you do not know 
 how I love you, and how I have suffered." 
 
 " I know all, Pajarita." 
 
 " No ! " with vehemence. " In your heart you 
 think that I have never loved you; that I have 
 deceived you ; that I have abused the most sacred 
 trust that can be given woman and But, 
 believe me, daddy, I did not intend " 
 She bowed her head and tears fell from her 
 eyes. 
 
 " Pajarita," he stroked her hair, " well I know 
 that you thought to sacrifice yourself for grati 
 tude wait ! I understand better than you 
 realize. Twas a noble impulse; but, Pajarita, 
 it could not have worked right, for it would have 
 been unjust to you and to me. Well I know that 
 you love me in your way and earnestly do I
 
 THE HEART OF PAJARITA 335 
 
 pray to keep that love ; it will be the sunshine in 
 my life; but, my little Pajarita, twas not your 
 fault, but the fault of Fortune, that I am not 
 your father, so that I might be satisfied with the 
 love you bear me." 
 
 " Daddy ! " It was a wail. 
 
 " Pajarita, let me tell you not for a king 
 dom would I have missed the opportunity Fate 
 gave me to know and to love you. I will some 
 time give up life ; but never will I part with that 
 which you brought to me." 
 
 " Sorrow, daddy ! " 
 
 " No ! I had sorrow before you came, but no 
 knowledge of joy. You, and you alone, brought 
 that. Tis the priceless gift you have awarded 
 me in return for a simple act of humanity, 
 prompted perhaps by a foresight of the com 
 pensation to be won by your companionship. 
 For this you would sacrifice your life s happi 
 ness No, no, Pajarita! That would have 
 marred the joy you wished to give, for, sooner or 
 later, had we married, I should have found out 
 the truth." 
 
 Pajarita could not speak; her heart, she 
 thought, would break. 
 
 " Then, as you can understand," he went on, 
 " the truth would have " 
 
 " Daddy, you are so noble so fine I will 
 never forget." 
 
 " Pajarita " 
 
 " Daddy dear, it is the truth ! " 
 
 Long they talked.
 
 336 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 Don Jose did not tell her that he had prom 
 ised John Asterly that he might visit them this 
 day in the patio. This was to be his surprise for 
 Pajarita. He had wished her entirely for him 
 self these few convalescing days, and, because of 
 this, he had repeatedly refused John s plea to see 
 Pajarita. Don Jose knew the desire of these 
 two young hearts and he had planned their mo 
 ment for them. 
 
 Marta was serving refreshments when John 
 was announced. Pajarita s cheeks grew rosy, 
 though she showed no other sign of her surprise. 
 She had not seen John since the night of the fire, 
 but she had received the dew-kissed poppies he 
 had sent to her casement every morning, and this 
 had been his message to her. 
 
 He came swinging into the patio, his joyous 
 anticipation whetted by his long exile from Pa 
 jarita. His eyes danced and he seemed a little 
 breathless. Don Jose met him at the turn of the 
 walk that lead to the rose-bower where Pajarita 
 sat. The don greeted his rival cordially Pa 
 jarita saw it with beating heart then escorted 
 him to her side. 
 
 Very gallantly John knelt and kissed Paja 
 rita s hand. Not by look or sign did the two 
 show their emotion, though not since the hour 
 on the ship, when Pajarita danced and laughed, 
 had her cheeks and eyes shone with the color 
 and the light that Don Jose saw there now. 
 Twas a friendly, pleasant moment they spent, 
 until Don Jos excusing himself, hurried away.
 
 THE HEART OF PAJARITA 337 
 
 Pajarita then grew uneasy. She insisted upon 
 John having more chocolate she talked about 
 a new ship. John did not hear her. Kneeling 
 at her feet, he took her hand. 
 
 " Pajarita, I have waited so long, now I have 
 come for my answer." 
 
 Her cheeks matched the roses that hung over 
 her head. 
 
 " You must give it to me now, Pajarita. The 
 packet-boat leaves port in a few days. I shall 
 return with it to Boston." 
 
 Pajarita s eyes opened wide. 
 
 " So soon, senor? " 
 
 " It has been a year, senorita, since I came to 
 Monterey." 
 
 " My faith ! You will have more chocolate, 
 senor? " 
 
 " No, Pajarita, I will have nothing now but 
 you. You remember your advice to me to cap 
 ture the dream princess and carry her away on a 
 ship to a home that I would make for her? You 
 are my dream princess, Pajarita, and I am going 
 to follow your advice. You will come? " 
 
 Pajarita could not resist the appeal in his 
 direct, yearning eyes. John gathered her into 
 his arms and there he held her securely, while he 
 told her about his love and his plans. She grew 
 alarmed when he told her that she must be ready 
 in three days. 
 
 " So soon ! " she gasped. 
 
 " Yes, Pajarita. I have talked it over with 
 Don Jose."
 
 " Ah ! They have disposed of me then in Span 
 ish fashion? " 
 
 Don Jose would have rejoiced had he seen the 
 return of her spirit. 
 
 " But, Pajarita " 
 
 " You have been here so long that you forget 
 that the will of an American girl counts too? " 
 
 John laughed, " I am penitent, Pajarita ; but 
 pray consider with me that the time was so short ; 
 and besides, I had quite made up my mind that 
 my dream princess should come with me on my 
 voyage." 
 
 " My faith, how presumptuous ! With your 
 own mind made up what use for my answer? " 
 
 "Pajarita!" Genuine concern rang in his 
 voice, " You you are not angry? You will go 
 with me? " Very tenderly. 
 
 Just then Marta came to take away her mis 
 tress who, Marta asserted, had been out doors 
 too long. 
 
 John looked gloomy. 
 
 Quickly, and before the astonished stare of 
 the duenna, John took Pajarita into his arms and 
 held her close. 
 
 " Just one word first Pajarita ! " 
 
 "I will go!" 
 
 The wedding took place in the patio under a 
 bower of roses. Friends filled the sunny en 
 closure. When Padre Juposa asked who would 
 give this girl to the man, Don Jose placed her 
 hand in John s.
 
 THE HEART OF PAJARITA 339 
 
 Just before the bridal party went to the boat, 
 Don Jose had a few words with Pajarita in his 
 study. He had already given to her the bridal 
 chest, which had been so lavishly filled in Spain, 
 by Don Jose s orders, with the daintiest, finest 
 garments he had thought to bestow on his own 
 bride, a chest of rare silver, an heirloom of his 
 mother s. But in the study, he gave Pajarita 
 something far more precious. 
 
 " Pajarita," he put his hand on her shoulder, 
 " if at any time in your life no matter where 
 I am you need a father for comfort or pro 
 tection, will you send for me? " 
 
 "Yes, daddy-don!" 
 
 " When I can stand the separation no longer, 
 Pajarita, I shall come to you in your new home, 
 may I? " 
 
 Pajarita s eyes danced, " Promise, daddy dear, 
 by what is holy ! " She removed a golden cross 
 from her neck and handed it to him. 
 
 " I promise solemnly." 
 
 He held the cross- to his lips. 
 
 " Pajarita, may I keep this? " 
 
 " Yes, daddy-dear, with my lasting love." 
 
 " Now, my little girl, God bless you and give 
 you happiness." He took her face between his 
 hands and kissed her brow. Together they 
 walked .to the boat. John was kept busy with 
 the young dons who crowded about him. He had 
 become immensely popular with them. On board 
 the ship, Pajarita, with John s arm about her, 
 waved back at the cheering crowd but Paja-
 
 340 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY 
 
 rita, through her tear-dimmed eyes, saw only Don 
 Jose, and he saw only Pajarita. 
 
 After the people had departed and no one but 
 Padre Juposa remained by his side, Don Jose 
 stood watching the boat until it grew to a speck 
 against the horizon. The two men seated them 
 selves upon the sand. After a long silence Don 
 Jose spoke slowly, thoughtfully. 
 
 " Here was where I first saw her and, in spite 
 of myself, I was drawn to the little golden bird. 
 Now she has flown." 
 
 " Thou wilt, in time, forget ; marry, friend ! " 
 
 " Never the one nor the other, Padre ! " Don 
 Jose shook his head sadly. 
 
 " Senorita Marie," the Padre continued, " she 
 thinks well of thee. Thinkest thou it would be 
 wisdom, son? " 
 
 " No ! " harshly ; " never will I marry any 
 one." 
 
 " Truly, sorrow speaketh from thine heart. I 
 shall pray for thee. Son, thou hast work to help 
 thee forget the Californias? " 
 
 " No, Padre, I will resign the governorship and 
 go away." 
 
 The priest looked alarmed. 
 
 "Thy sister?" 
 
 " She .will return to Spain by the next ship." 
 
 "And thou?" 
 
 " I know not ! " 
 
 The Padre sighed heavily. 
 
 " Thou wilt desert the Californias? " 
 
 " Tis best ! Perhaps at another time who
 
 THE HEART OF PAJARITA 341 
 
 knows if I should be considered still worthy of 
 this office, I might return." 
 
 " Stay, my son, stay ! Work will clear thy 
 mind and ease thy heart, so that thou mightest 
 later see wisely." 
 
 After several moments of silence, the don 
 spoke : 
 
 " Padre, good friend, the mind with its many 
 eyes might see clearly, and the heart through 
 work might find ease; but the light of my life 
 went out when its hope of love ceased. Come ! " 
 he rose to his feet, " we will return." 
 
 Slowly the two men walked toward the Pre 
 sidio. 
 
 THE END
 
 THE TRIUMPH OF VIRGINIA 
 DALE 
 
 Another GLAD Book 
 
 -Mark 
 
 By John Franc/5, Jr. 
 
 Cloth decorative, ismo, illustrated, $1.90 
 
 This new novel, marking the advent of a hitherto 
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 Furthermore, the peculiar magnetism of the char 
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 Virginia Dale, the heroine, is a Good Samaritan, Miss 
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 reader once aptly remarked : " When story folk act 
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 THE PRINCESS NAIDA 
 
 Bp Brewer Corcoran 
 
 Author of " The Road to Le Reve," etc. 
 
 Cloth decorative, I2mo, illustrated by H. Weston Taylor, 
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 Adventure and romance are the keynotes of this new 
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 8 New York Sun. 
 
 &&&&&&C8m&&&0^^
 
 A FLOWER OF MONTEREY: 
 
 A Romance of the Californias 
 By Katherine B. Hamill 
 
 Cloth decorative, ismo, illustrated, $1.90 
 
 The wealth, beauty and sunshine of the Californias in 
 the days when Spain controlled our western coast and 
 England looked with covetous eyes, form the setting 
 
 for this beautiful and artistic romance by a new author. fc$ 
 
 Mrs. Hamill has recreated vividly the little Spanish $ 
 
 town where the mission bells rang silvery at dawn, where * 
 
 scarlet uniforms flashed in the stately drill of an after- S 
 
 noon dress parade and beautiful women wore lace $ 
 
 mantillas. Pajarita, the "Flower of Monterey," is an & 
 
 American waif, cast up by the sea, who grows up among 
 
 the senors and senoritas, happy as the sunshine, but $ 
 
 with a healthy American disrespect for the Spanish 8 
 
 modes of life. Two men love her Don Jose, the g 
 
 gobernador proprietaro of all the Californias, and a Q 
 young American sailor-adventurer, John Asterly. 
 
 John Asterly, the hero of A FLOWER OF MON- 8 
 
 TEREY, came to the Californias from Boston. He is Q 
 
 perhaps thirty years old, adventurous and impetuous. 3 
 
 At a dance on the beach at Monterey, shortly after his 
 
 arrival in the Californias, he meets Pajarita, "the Q 
 
 Flower of Monterey," and falls in love with the girl, 8 
 
 although she is promised to her benefactor, the Spanish g 
 
 Governor. On the very night before her wedding, O 
 
 8 Asterly tries to dissuade Pajarita from her marriage & 
 
 B with some one other than an American, and then the g 
 
 w romance, rivalry and adventure begin. The historical j$ 
 
 8 setting of the story is correct and the romance unfolds J2 
 with dash and symmetry. 
 
 ^ag^^syc^ss^^
 
 WILD WINGS 
 
 By Margaret R. Piper 
 
 Author of "Sylvia s Experiment," "The House on the 
 Hill," " Sylvia Arden Decides" etc. 
 
 Cloth decorative, I2mo, illustrated, $1.90 
 
 In this " story of youth for grown-ups," the vigorous, 
 happy Holiday youngsters who lived in the " House on 
 the Hill " develop into keen, lovable young people, 
 thoroughly worth knowing. To Tony, as brilliant and 
 beautiful as a girl can well be and still be human, comes 
 a successful theatrical career on Broadway, and a great 
 love, and Larry grows into the industrious, reliant 
 young doctor that one would expect him to be. 
 
 Few writers today display the ability which Miss 
 Piper does to "grow up" a large family of boys and 
 girls, each with an individuality well developed and 
 attractive, and her Holiday family holds a distinctive 
 place in American fiction for young people today. 
 
 As the charming characters work their way out of 
 problems which face all young people of buoyant spirits 
 and ambitions, WILD WINGS gives a definite message 
 as to the happiest relationship between old and young. 
 
 "There is a world of human nature and neighborhood 
 contentment in Margaret R. Piper s books of good 
 cheer. Her tales are well proportioned and subtly 
 strong in their literary aspects and quality." North 
 American, Philadelphia. 
 
 &cea&&x8xa^v^^
 
 Selections from 
 
 The Page Company s 
 
 List of Fiction 
 
 WORKS OF 
 
 ELEANOR H. PORTER 
 
 POLLYANNA: The GLAD Book (500,000) 
 
 Trade Mark Trade Mark 
 
 Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated, $1.90 
 
 Mr. Leigh Mitchell Hodges, The Optimist, in an editorial for 
 the Philadelphia North American, says: "And when, after 
 Pollyanna has gone away, you get her letter saying she is 
 going to take eight steps tomorrow well, I don t know j ust 
 what you may do, but I know of one person who buried his 
 face in his hands and shook with the gladdest sort of sadness 
 and got down on his knees and thanked the Giver of all 
 gladness for Pollyanna." 
 
 POLLYANNA: The GLAD Book. MART PICKFORD EDITION 
 
 Trade Mark Trade Mark 
 
 Illustrated with thirty-two half-tone reproductions of scenes 
 from the motion picture production, and a jacket with a por 
 trait of Mary Pickford in color. 
 
 Cloth decorative, 12mo, $2.25 
 
 While preparing " Pollyanna " for the screen, Miss Pickford 
 said enthusiastically that it was the best picture she had ever 
 made in her life, and the success of the picture on the screen 
 has amply justified her statement. Mary Pickford s interpre 
 tation of the beloved little heroine as shown in the illustrations, 
 adds immeasurably to the intrinsic charm of this popular story. 
 
 POLLYANNA GROWS UP: The Second GLAD Book 
 
 Trade Mark (250,000) Trade Mark 
 
 Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated, $1.90 
 
 When the story of POLLYANNA told in The Glad Book was 
 ended, a great cry of regret for the vanishing " Glad Girl " 
 went up all over the country and other countries, too. Now 
 POLLYANNA appears again, just as sweet and joyous-hearted, 
 more grown up and more lovable. 
 
 " Take away frowns ! Put down the worries ! Stop fidgeting 
 and disagreeing and grumbling ! Cheer up, everybody ! POLLY- 
 ANNA has come back ! " Christian Herald.
 
 THE PAGE COMPANY S 
 
 WORKS OF ELEANOR H. PORTER (Continued) 
 
 MISS BILLY (93rd thousand) 
 
 Cloth decorative, with a frontispiece in full color from a 
 
 painting by G. Tyng, $1.90 
 
 " There is something altogether fascinating about Miss 
 
 Billy, some inexplicable feminine characteristic that seems to 
 
 demand the individual attention of the reader from the moment 
 
 we open the book until we reluctantly turn the last page." 
 
 Boston Transcript. 
 
 MISS BILLY S DECISION (r8th thousand) 
 
 Cloth decorative, with a frontispiece in full color from a 
 painting by Henry W. Moore, $1.90 
 
 " The story is written in bright, clever style and has plenty 
 
 of action and humor. Miss Billy is nice to know and so are 
 
 her friends." New Haven Leader. 
 
 MISS BILLY MARRIED (86th thousand) 
 
 Cloth decorative, with a frontispiece in full color from a 
 
 painting by W. Haskell Coffin, $1.90 
 
 " Although Pollyanna is the only copyrighted glad girl, Miss 
 
 Billy is just as glad as the younger figure and radiates just 
 
 as much gladness. She disseminates joy so naturally that we 
 
 wonder why all girls are not like her." Boston Transcript. 
 
 SIX STAR RANCH (45th thousand) 
 
 Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated by R. Farrington Elwell, 
 
 $1.90 
 
 " Six Star Ranch bears all the charm of the author s genius 
 and is about a little girl down in Texas who practices the 
 Pollyanna Philosophy with irresistible success. The book is 
 one of the kindliest things, if not the best, that the author of 
 the Pollyanna books has done. It is a welcome addition to the 
 fast-growing family of Glad Books." Howard Russell Bangs 
 in the Boston Post. 
 
 CROSS CURRENTS 
 
 Cloth decorative, illustrated, $1.50 
 
 "To one who enjoys a story of life as it is to-day, with its 
 
 sorrows as well as its triumphs, this volume is sure to appeal." 
 
 Book News Monthly. 
 
 THE TURN OF THE TIDE 
 
 Cloth decorative, illustrated, $1.50 
 
 "A very beautiful book showing the influence that went to 
 the development of the life of a dear little girl into a true and 
 good woman." Herald and Presbyter, Cincinnati, Ohio.
 
 LIST OF FICTION 
 
 A book which has established its author in the front rank of 
 American novelists. 
 
 SMILES, A ROSE OF THE CUMBERLANDS (26th 
 thousand) 
 
 Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated, $1.90 
 
 Smiles is a girl who has already made many friends and 
 is destined to make many more. Her real name is Rose, but 
 the rough folk of the Cumberlands preferred their own way 
 of addressing her, for her smile was so bright and winning 
 that no other name suited her so well. 
 
 " This is the best book I have ever illustrated for any pub 
 lisher. I have tried to make the pictures all that you hoped 
 for them." H. Weston Taylor. 
 
 E. J. Anderson, former managing Editor of the Boston 
 Advertiser and Record, is enthusiastic over the story and says: 
 
 " I have read Smiles in one reading. After starting it I 
 could not put it down. Never in my life have I read a book 
 like this that thrilled me half as much, and never have I seen 
 a more masterful piece of writing." 
 
 THE MAID OF MIRABELLE: A Romance of Lorraine 
 
 Illustrated with reproductions of sketches made by the 
 author, and with a portrait of " The Maid of Mirabelle," 
 from a painting by Neale Ordayne, on the cover. 
 Cloth decorative, 12mo, $1.90 
 
 A story of human and heart interest. The " Maid," Joan, is 
 a personality just as real and lovable as was Smiles. 
 
 " The spirit of all the book is the bubbling, the irrepressibly 
 indomitable, cheerful faith of the people, at their very best, 
 against the grave Quakerism from the United States standing 
 out grimly but faithfully. The tale is simply, but strongly 
 told." Montreal Family Herald and Weekly Star. 
 
 MAN PROPOSES; Or, The Romance of John Alden 
 Shaw 
 
 Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated, $1.90 
 
 " This is first of all a charming romance, distinguished by a 
 fine sentiment of loyalty to an ideal, by physical courage, in 
 domitable resolution to carry to success an altruistic under 
 taking, a splendid woman s devotion, and by a vein of spon 
 taneous, sparkling humor that offsets its more serious phases." 
 Springfield Republican.
 
 THE PAGE COMPANY S 
 
 THE ROMANCES OF 
 
 L. M. MONTGOMERY 
 
 Each one volume, cloth decorative, 12mo, $1.90 
 ANNE OF GREEN GABLES (355th thousand) 
 
 Illustrated by M. A. and W. A. J. Claus. 
 
 In Anne of Green Gables you will find the dearest and 
 most moving and delightful child since the immortal Alice." 
 Mark Twain in a letter to Francis Wilson. 
 
 " I take it as a great test of the worth of the book that while 
 the young people are rummaging all over the house looking for 
 Anne, the head of the family has carried her off to read on his 
 way to town." Bliss Carman. 
 
 ANNE OF AVONLEA (255th thousand) 
 
 Illustrated by George Gibbs. 
 
 " Here we have a book as human as David Harum, a 
 heroine who outcharms a dozen princesses of fiction, and re 
 minds you of some sweet girl you know, or knew back in the 
 days when the world was young." San Francisco Bulletin. 
 
 CHRONICLES OF AVONLEA (43d thousand) 
 
 Illustrated by George Gibbs. 
 
 " The author shows a wonderful knowledge of humanity, 
 great insight and warmheartedness in the manner in which 
 some of the scenes are treated, and the sympathetic way the 
 gentle peculiarities of the characters are brought out." 
 Baltimore Sun. 
 
 ANNE OF THE ISLAND (6sth thousand) 
 
 Illustrated by H. Weston Taylor. 
 
 " It has been well worth while to watch the growing up of 
 Anne, and the privilege of being on intimate terms with her 
 throughout the process has been properly valued. The once 
 little girl of Green Gables should have a permanent fictional 
 place of high yet tender esteem." New York Herald. 
 
 FURTHER CHRONICLES OF AVONLEA (20th thou 
 sand). Illustrated by John Goss. 
 Nathan Haskell Dole compares Avonlea to Longfellow s 
 
 Grand Pre and says, " There is something in these continued 
 
 chronicles of Avonlea like" the delicate art which has made 
 
 Cranford a classic." 
 
 " The reader has dipped into but one or two stories when he 
 
 realizes that the author is the most natural story teller of the 
 
 day." Salt Lake City Citizen.
 
 LIST OF FICTION 
 
 WORKS OF L. M. MONTGOMERY (Continued) 
 
 ANNE OF GREEN GABLES: The Mary Miles Minter 
 Edition 
 
 Illustrated with twenty-four half-tone reproductions of 
 scenes from the motion picture production, and a jacket in 
 colors with Miss Minter s portrait. 
 
 Cloth decorative, 12mo, $2.25 
 
 "You pass from tears to laughter as the story unfolds, and 
 
 there is never a moment s hesitation in admitting that Anne 
 
 has completely won your heart." Joe Mitchell Chappie, 
 
 Editor, The National Magazine. 
 
 " Mary Miles Minter s Anne on the screen is worthy of 
 Mark Twain s definition of her as the dearest and most moving 
 and delightful child since the immortal "Alice." " Cam 
 bridge Tribune. 
 
 KILMENY OF THE ORCHARD ($2d thousand) 
 
 Illustrated by George Gibbs. Cloth decorative, 12mo, $1.90 
 " A purely idyllic love story full of tender sentiment, red 
 olent with the perfume of rose leaves and breathing of apple 
 blossoms and the sweet clover of twilight meadow-lands." 
 San Francisco Bulletin. 
 
 " A story born in the heart of Arcadia and brimful of the 
 sweet and simple life of the primitive environment." Boston 
 Herald. 
 
 THE STORY GIRL (46th thousand) 
 
 Illustrated by George Gibbs. Cloth decorative, 12mo, $1.90 
 " It will be read and, we venture to predict, reread many 
 times, for there is a freshness and sweetness about it which will 
 help to lift the load of care, to cheer the weary and to make 
 brighter still the life of the carefree and the happy." 
 Toronto, Can., Globe. 
 
 " The Story Girl is of decidedly unusual conception and 
 interest, and will rival the author s earlier books in popularity." 
 Chicago Western Trade Journal. 
 
 THE GOLDEN ROAD (28th thousand) 
 
 Illustrated by George Gibbs. Cloth decorative, 12mo, $1.90 
 In which it is proven that " Life was a rose-lipped comrade 
 with purple flowers dripping from her fingers." 
 
 " It is a simple, tender tale, touched to higher notes, now 
 and then, by delicate hints of romance, tragedy and pathos. 
 Any true-hearted human being might read this book with en 
 joyment, no matter what his or her age, social status, or 
 economic place." Chicago Record-Herald.
 
 THE PAGE COMPANY S 
 
 NOVELS BY 
 
 ISLA MAY MULLINS 
 
 Each, one volume, cloth decorative, Iz ino, illustrated, $1.75 
 THE BLOSSOM SHOP: A Story of the South 
 
 " Frankly and wholly romance is this book, and lovable as 
 is a fairy tale properly told." Chicago Inter-Ocean. 
 
 ANNE OF THE BLOSSOM SHOP: Or, the Growing 
 Up of Anne Carter 
 
 "A charming portrayal of the attractive life of the South, 
 refreshing as a breeze that blows through a pine forest." 
 Albany Times-Union. 
 
 ANNE S WEDDING 
 
 " Presents a picture of home life that is most appealing in 
 love and affection." Every Evening, Wilmington, Del. 
 
 THE MT. BLOSSOM GIRLS 
 
 " In the writing of the book the author is at her best as a 
 story teller. It is a fitting climax to the series." Reader. 
 
 TWEEDIE: The Story of a True Heart 
 
 "The story itself is full of charm and one enters right into 
 the very life of Tweedie and feels as if he had indeed been 
 lifted into an atmosphere of unselfishness, enthusiasm and 
 buoyant optimism." Boston Ideas. 
 
 NOVELS BY 
 
 DAISY RHODES CAMPBELL 
 
 THE FIDDLING GIRL 
 
 Cloth decorative, illustrated $1.65 
 
 " A thoroughly en j oyable tale, written in a delightful vein of 
 sympathetic comprehension." Boston Herald. 
 
 THE PROVING OF VIRGINIA 
 
 Cloth decorative, illustrated $1.65 
 
 " A book which contributes so much of freshness, enthusiasm, 
 and healthy life to offset the usual offerings of modern fiction, 
 deserves all the praise which can be showered upon M." 
 Kindergarten Review. 
 
 THE VIOLIN LADY 
 
 Cloth decorative, illustrated $1-65 
 
 " The author s style remains simple and direct, as in her pre 
 ceding books." Boston Transcript.
 
 LIST OF FICTION 
 
 DETECTIVE STORIES BY 
 
 GEORGE BARTON 
 
 Each one volume, cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated, $1.75 
 
 THE PEMBROKE MASON AFFAIR 
 
 " Not until the end will the reader ever surmise how Mason 
 was murdered. An absorbing and thrilling story." Cleveland 
 Topics. 
 
 THE MYSTERY OF THE RED FLAME 
 
 " An admirable story an engaging story of love, mystery 
 and adventure." The Philadelphia Inquirer. 
 
 THE STRANGE ADVENTURES OF BROMLEY 
 BARNES 
 
 " It would be difficult to find a collection of more interesting 
 tales of mystery so well told. The author is crisp, incisive 
 and inspiring. The book is the best of its kind in recent years 
 and adds to the author s already high reputation." New 
 York Tribune. 
 
 THE AMBASSADOR S TRUNK 
 
 " Mr. Barton is in the front rank of the writers of mystery 
 stories, and this is one of his best." Pittsburgh Chronicle. 
 
 " The book is of the good red-blood type, with few dull lines 
 and stirring action and episodes in almost every page." 
 Montreal Herald. 
 
 BUSINESS NOVELS BY 
 
 HAROLD WHITEHEAD 
 
 Professor of Sales Relations, The College of Business 
 Administration, Boston University 
 
 Each one volume, cloth, 12mo, illustrated, $1.75 
 
 DAWSON BLACK, RETAIL MERCHANT 
 
 " Contains much that it would profit a young merchant to 
 know and its fictional interest makes a strong appeal." New 
 York Tribune. 
 
 THE BUSINESS CAREER OF PETER FLINT 
 
 " Peter Flint is certainly a marvel. . . . His career reveals 
 a most remarkable metamorphosis from incapacity, stubborn 
 ness, and what seemed a chronic inclination to fall down on 
 every job which he undertook, to an amazing exposition of 
 business capacity and skill." Boston Transcript.
 
 THE PAGE COMPANY S 
 
 NOVELS BY 
 
 MARGARET R. PIPER 
 
 SYLVIA S EXPERIMENT: The Cheerful Book 
 
 Cloth decorative, with a frontispiece in full color $1.75 
 " An atmosphere of good spirits pervades the book ; the 
 
 humor that now and then flashes across the page is entirely 
 
 natural." Boston Post. 
 
 SYLVIA OF THE HILL TOP: The Second Cheerful 
 
 Book Trade Mark 
 
 Cloth decorative, with a frontispiece in full color $1.75 
 
 " There is a world of human nature and neighborhood con 
 tentment and quaint quiet humor in Margaret R. Piper s second 
 book of good cheer." Philadelphia North American. 
 
 " Sylvia proves practically that she is a messenger of j oy to 
 humanity." The Post Express, Rochester, N. Y. 
 
 SYLVIA ARDEN DECIDES: The Third Cheerful 
 
 Book Trade Mark 
 
 Cloth decorative, with a frontispiece in full color $1.75 
 
 " Its ease of style, its rapidity, its interest from page to page, 
 are admirable; and it shows that inimitable power the story 
 teller s gift of verisimilitude. Its sureness and clearness are 
 excellent, and its portraiture clear and pleasing." The Reader. 
 
 FICTION FOR YOUNGER READERS BY 
 
 MARGARET R. PIPER 
 
 THE HOUSE ON THE HILL 
 
 By MARGARET R. PIPER. 
 
 Cloth decorative, illustrated $1.75 
 
 " The House on the Hill presents higher ideals of service 
 and life for boys and girls, and the charming characters 
 worked their way out of problems which face all young people 
 of buoyant spirits and ambition." Buffalo News. 
 
 " The story is a delightful one, with all kinds of interesting 
 adventures and characters." Sunday Leader. 
 
 THE PRINCESS AND THE CLAN 
 
 By MARGARET R. PIPER. 
 
 Cloth decorative, illustrated by John Goss $1.75 
 
 "This is a delightful story for young and old, wholesome 
 
 and uplifting. The chief charm of the story lies in its sim- 
 
 plidty." Philadelphia North American.
 
 LIST OF FICTION 
 
 NOVELS BY 
 
 MARY ELLEN CHASE 
 
 THE GIRL FROM THE BIG HORN COUNTRY 
 
 Cloth, 12mo, illustrated by E. Farrington Elwell, $1.75 
 " The Girl from the Big Horn Country tells how Virginia 
 Hunter, a bright, breezy, frank-hearted girl of the Golden 
 West comes out of the Big Horn country of Wyoming to the 
 old Bay State. Then things begin, when Virginia who feels 
 the joyous, exhilarating call of the Big Horn wilderness and 
 the outdoor life attempts to become acclimated and adopt 
 good old New England ways. " Critic. 
 
 VIRGINIA, OF ELK CREEK VALLEY 
 
 Cloth, 12mo, illustrated by E. Farrington Elwell, $1.75 
 
 " This story is fascinating, alive with constantly new and 
 
 fresh interests and every reader will enjoy the novel for its 
 
 freshness, its novelty and its inspiring glimpses of life with 
 
 nature." The Editor. 
 
 NOVELS BY 
 
 OTHER AUTHORS 
 
 THE GOLDEN DOG. A Romance of Quebec 
 
 By WILLIAM KIRBY. (45th thousand.) 
 
 Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated by J. W. Kennedy, $1.90 
 
 " A powerful romance of love, intrigue and adventure in the 
 
 times of Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour." Boston 
 
 Herald. 
 
 SHE STANDS ALONE 
 
 Being the story of Pilate s wife. 
 
 By MARK ASHTON. 
 
 Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated, $1.75 
 
 Few novels of the present day can stand comparison with 
 this remarkable book, which must be ranked in modern litera 
 ture dealing with the early Christian era as only second to 
 "Ben Hur." 
 
 THE ROAD TO LE REVE 
 
 By BREWER CORCORAK. 
 
 Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated by H. Weston Taylor, $1.90 
 
 " A romance of vivid interest, a love story full of youth, the 
 
 great outdoors and adventures that thrill. The dialogue is 
 
 unusually clever, the characters delightfully real, the plot one 
 
 that holds the reader s interest to the end." New York Sun.
 
 10 
 
 THE FAMOUS SEA STORIES OF 
 
 HERMAN MELVILLE 
 
 MOBY DICK; Or, The White Whale 
 TYPEE. A Real Romance of the South Sea 
 
 OMOO. A Narrative of Adventures in the South 
 Seas; a sequel to TYPEE 
 
 WHITE JACKET; Or, The World on a Man-of-War 
 
 Each one volume, cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated $1.90 
 
 The recent centenary of Herman Melville created renewed 
 interest in his famous sea stories. 
 
 " Melville wove human element and natural setting into re 
 citals which aroused the enthusiasm of critics and sent a thrill 
 of delight through the reading public when first published, and 
 which both for form and matter have ever since held rank as 
 classics in the literature of travel." Boston Herald. 
 
 DETECTIVE STORIES BY 
 
 ARTHUR MORRISON 
 
 Each one volume, cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated, $1.73 
 
 THE GREEN DIAMOND 
 
 "A clever, ingenious story, with just the right combination 
 of detective skill and mystery and with a touch of Oriental 
 mysticism." Kansas City Star. 
 
 THE RED TRIANGLE 
 
 " The reader who has a grain of imagination may be defied 
 to lay this book down, once he has begun it, until the last word 
 has been reached." Boston Journal. 
 
 " It is a splendid story of the kind that cannot fail to in 
 terest." Detroit Journal. 
 
 THE CHRONICLES OF MARTIN HEWITT 
 
 " The story is told in a forceful, straightforward style, which 
 gives it impressive realism." Boston Herald. 
 
 " The story is well-written, unique, quite out of the usual 
 order, and a. vein of mystery running through it that is most 
 captivating," Christian Intelligencer.
 
 LIST OF FICTION 11 
 
 HISTORICAL ROMANCES OF 
 
 NATHAN GALLIZIER 
 
 THE LEOPARD PRINCE 
 
 Cloth decorative, large 12mo, illustrated in color, $2.00 
 
 " With a vividness that is electrifying and a mastery of 
 
 emotion that thrills, Mr. Gallizier has written this story of 
 
 Italy a romance of Venice in the fourteenth century." 
 
 The Lookout, Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 
 UNDER THE WITCHES MOON 
 
 Cloth decorative, large 12mo, illustrated in color, $2.00 
 " A highly colored romance of mediaeval Italy with a most 
 interesting background." New York World. 
 
 THE CRIMSON GONDOLA 
 
 Cloth decorative, large 12mo, illustrated in color, $2.00 
 " Mr. Gallizier is unusually strong in the use of description, 
 and conveys vividly the gorgeous decadence and luxury of the 
 sybaritic city." Los Angeles Sunday Times. 
 
 THE HILL OF VENUS 
 
 Cloth decorative, large 12mo, illustrated in color, $2.00 
 
 This is a vivid and powerful romance of the thirteenth cen 
 tury in the times of the great Ghibelline wars. 
 
 " It is vibrant with action and overflowing with human emo 
 tions throughout. " Wilmington Every Evening. 
 
 THE COURT OF LUCIFER 
 
 Cloth decorative, large 12mo, illustrated in color, $2.00 
 
 " The book is breathless reading, as much for the adventures, 
 
 the pageants, the midnight excursions of the minor characters, 
 
 as for the love story of the prince and Donna Lucrezia." 
 
 Boston Transcript. 
 
 THE SORCERESS OF ROME 
 
 Cloth decorative, large 12mo, illustrated in color, $2.00 
 
 " A splendid bit of old Roman mosaic, or a gorgeous piece of 
 
 tapestry. Otto is a striking and pathetic figure. Description 
 
 of the city, the gorgeous ceremonials of the court and the revels 
 
 are a series of wonderful pictures." Cincinnati Enquirer. 
 
 CASTEL DEL MONTE 
 
 Cloth decorative, large 12mo, illustrated, $2.00 
 
 " There is color ; there is sumptuous word-painting in these 
 pages; the action is terrific at times; vividness and life are in 
 every part; and brilliant descriptions entertain the reader and 
 give a singular fascination to the tale." Grand Rapids 
 Herald.
 
 12 THE PAGE COMPANY S 
 
 WORKS OF 
 
 GABRIELE D ANNUNZIO 
 
 Signer d Annunzio is known throughout the world as a poet 
 and a dramatist, but above all as a novelist, for it is in his 
 novels that he is at his best. In poetic thought and graceful 
 expression he has few equals among the writers of the day. 
 
 He is engaged on a most ambitious work nothing less than 
 the writing of nine novels which cover the whole field of human 
 sentiment. This work he has divided into three trilogies, and 
 five of the nine books have been published. It is to be re 
 gretted that other labors have interrupted the completion of 
 the series. 
 
 "This book is realistic. Some say that it is brutally so. 
 But the realism is that of Flaubert, and not of Zola. There 
 is no plain speaking for the sake of plain speaking. Every 
 detail is justified in the fact that it illuminates either the 
 motives or the actions of the man and woman who here stand 
 revealed. It is deadly true. The author holds the mirror up 
 to nature, and the reader, as he sees his own experiences dupli 
 cated in passage after passage, has something of the same 
 sensation as all of us know on the first reading of George 
 Meredith s Egoist. Reading these pages is like being out in 
 the country on a dark night in a storm. Suddenly a flash of 
 lightning comes and every detail of your surroundings is 
 revealed." Review of " The Triumph of Death " in the New 
 York Evening Sun. 
 
 The volumes published are as follows. Each 1 vol., library 
 12mo, cloth, $1.75 
 
 
 
 THE ROMANCES OF THE ROSE 
 THE CHILD OF PLEASURE (!L PIACEHE) 
 THE INTRUDER (L INNOCENTE) 
 THE TRIUMPH OF DEATH (It TRIONFO DEIAA MORTE) 
 
 Jt 
 
 THE ROMANCES OF THE LILY 
 
 THE MAIDENS OF THE ROCKS (L E VERGINI DELLE 
 ROCCE) 
 
 J 
 
 THE ROMANCES OF THE POMEGRANATE 
 THE FLAME OF LIFE (It Fuoco)
 
 LIST OF FICTION 13 
 
 WORKS OF 
 
 CHARLES G. D. ROBERTS 
 
 HAUNTERS OF THE SILENCES 
 
 Cloth decorative, with many drawings by Charles Livingston 
 Bull, four of which are in full color. $3.00 
 
 The stories in Mr. Roberts s new collection are the strongest 
 and best he has ever written. 
 
 He has largely taken for his subjects those animals rarely 
 met with in books, whose lives are spent " In the Silences," 
 where they are the supreme rulers. 
 
 " As a writer about animals, Mr. Roberts occupies an envi 
 able place. He is the most literary, as well as the most imag 
 inative and vivid of all the nature writers." Brooklyn Eagle. 
 
 RED FOX 
 
 THE STORY OF His ADVENTUROUS CAREER IK THE RINGWAAK 
 WILDS, AND OF His FINAL TRIUMPH OVER THE ENEMIES OF 
 His KIND. With fifty illustrations, including frontispiece in 
 color and cover design by Charles Livingston Bull. 
 Square quarto, cloth decorative $3.00 
 
 " True in substance, but fascinating as fiction. It will inter 
 est old and young, city-bound and free-footed, those who know 
 animals and those who do not." Chicago Record-Herald. 
 
 THE KINDRED OF THE WILD 
 
 A BOOK OF ANIMAL LIFE. With fifty-one full-page plates 
 
 and many decorations from drawings by Charles Livingston 
 
 Bull. 
 
 Square quarto, cloth decorative $3.00 
 
 " Is in many ways the most brilliant collection of animal 
 
 stories that has appeared; well named and well done." John 
 
 Burroughs. 
 
 THE WATCHERS OF THE TRAILS 
 
 A companion volume to " The Kindred of the Wild." With 
 forty-eight full-page plates and many decorations from 
 drawings by Charles Livingston Bull. 
 
 Square quarto, cloth decorative $3.00 
 
 " These stories are exquisite in their refinement, and yet 
 robust in their appreciation of some of the rougher phases 0f 
 woodcraft. Ameng the many writers aboat animals, Mr. Rob 
 erts occupies an *nviahle place." The Outlook.
 
 14 THE PAGE COMPANY S 
 
 WORKS OF CHARLES O. D. ROBERTS (Continued) 
 THE HOUSE IN THE WATER 
 
 With thirty full-page illustrations. 
 
 Library 12mo, cloth decorative, $3.00 
 
 " This is a book full of delight. An additional charm lies in 
 Mr. Bull s faithful and graphic illustrations, which in fashion 
 all their own tell the story." Literary Digest. 
 
 BARBARA LADD 
 
 Library 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, $1.90 
 
 "A very fine novel. We unhesitatingly pronounce it ... 
 one of the books that stamp themselves at once upon the imag 
 ination." Literary World, Boston. 
 
 THE PRISONER OF MADEMOISELLE 
 
 Library 12mo, cloth decorative, $1.90 
 
 "This is the kind of a story that makes one grow younger, 
 more innocent, more light-hearted. Its literary quality is im 
 peccable. It is not every day that such a heroine blossoms into 
 even temporary existence." Chicago Record-Herald. 
 
 THE HEART OF THE ANCIENT WOOD 
 
 Library 12mo, decorative cover, illustrated, $1.90 
 
 " One of the most fascinating novels of recent days." 
 Boston Journal. 
 
 " A classic twentieth-century romance." New York Com 
 mercial Advertiser. 
 
 THE FORGE IN THE FOREST 
 
 Being the Narrative of the Acadian Ranger, Jean de Mer, 
 Seigneur de Briart, and how he crossed the Black Abbe, and 
 of his adventures in a strange fellowship. 
 Library 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, $1.90 
 
 A story of pure love and heroic adventure. 
 
 BY THE MARSHES OF MINAS 
 
 Library 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, $1.75 
 
 Most of these romances are in the author s lighter and more 
 
 playful vein ; each is a unit of absorbing interest and exquisite 
 
 workmanship. 
 
 A SISTER TO EVANGELINE 
 
 Being the Story of Yvonne de Lamourie, and how she went 
 into exile with the villagers of Grand Pre. 
 Library 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, $1.75 
 
 Swift action, fresh atmosphere, wholesome purity, deep pas 
 sion, and searching analysis characterize this strong novel.
 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below 
 
 I