United States or Qatar ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"I suppose you would be glad to see even your friends driven out," said Brotherton to Doña Eustaquia, as they walked through the brilliant town toward the church: bells called them to witness the dramatic play of "The Shepherds." "I be glad to see the impertinent flag come down," said she, frankly; "but you can make resignation from the army, and have a little store on Alvarado Street.
Her hair was tumbling about her shoulders, and she looked decidedly less statuesque than usual. "Eustaquia," she said, solemnly, "I believe I can go to confession." At sunrise the next morning the guests of Casa Grande were horsed and ready to start for the Mission.
"She is mine now," he said. "You must not touch her again." "Yours! Yours!" screamed Doña Eustaquia, beside herself. "Oh, Mother of God!" She snatched the dagger from the table and, springing backward, plunged it into the cross. "By that sign I curse thee," she cried. "Accursed be the man who has stolen my child! Accursed be the woman who has betrayed her mother and her country! God! God!
Few gave ear to the reading of Sloat's proclamation. Benicia, the daughter of Doña Eustaquia, raised her clasped hands, the tears streaming from her eyes. "Oh, these Americans! How I hate them!" she cried, a reflection of her mother's violent spirit on her sweet face. Doña Eustaquia caught the girl's hands and flung herself upon her neck. "Ay! California! California!" she cried wildly.
They ran forward, and dashed their sombreros into the dust before the wall. "At your feet, señoritas! At your feet!" they cried. "Have they any?" whispered one. "How unreal they look! How symbolical!" "The rose in your hair, Señorita Eustaquia, for the love of Heaven!" cried Ortega, in a loud whisper. She detached the rose, touched it with her lips, and cast it to the officer.
The floor was bare, the furniture of stiff mahogany and horse-hair, but no visitor to that quaint ugly room ever thought of looking beyond the brilliant face of Doña Eustaquia, the lovely eyes of her daughter, the intelligence and animation of the people she gathered about her.
The gold on the shoulders of the men flashed in the moonlight; the jewels of the women sparkled and winked. Two by two they came like a conquering army to the rescue of the cypresses. Brotherton, who rode ahead with Doña Eustaquia, half expected to see the old trees rise upright with a deep shout of welcome.
Valencia's black eyes flashed their language so plainly to Estenega's that he could not have deserted her without rudeness; and Estenega never was rude. "Adan," said Chonita, abruptly, "I am tired of thee. Sit down under that tree until I come back. I wish to walk alone with Eustaquia for awhile." Adan sighed and did as he was bidden, consoling himself with a cigarito.
A door opened, and a girl of small figure, with solemn dark eyes and cream-like skin, her hair hanging in heavy braids to her feet, stepped upon the corridor, draping a pink reboso about her head. "I am here, my cousin," she said, walking with all the dignity of the Spanish woman, despite her plump and inconsiderable person. "Thou art rested, Doña Eustaquia?
Then in a burst of anger I confessed that I had told Estenega. For a moment I thought her terrible hatred was about to hurl its vengeance at me; but she only asked, "What did he say?" Unwillingly, I repeated it, but word for word. And as I spoke, her face softened, the austerity left her features, an expression of passionate gratitude came into her eyes. "Did he say that, Eustaquia?" "He did."
Word Of The Day