THE OREGON SUNDAY JOURNAL, PORTLAND. SUNDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 21, 1915.
A UhriUing Romance of the West
By EDITH OGDEN HARRISON
Author of "The Lady of the Known," "Print-ens Kayrane," "Prince Kilverwinffs," Etc.
CHAPTER I.
NE glorious February
morning a young man
stood ou the summit
of a beautiful pass iu
the San Kafael Moun
tains. He belonged
to a type which
should have attracted
attention anywhere,
but alone, in that
Kplendid setting, into which he seemed to fit
bo well, he wan especially worth observation.
Tall and well built, his cumbersome knap
sack, which might have appeared unwieldy
on another man, seemed hut to contribute
grace. The olive tint of hiW face showed
intimate acquaintance with nature. HU deep
set eyes, now gray, now steel blue, looked
steadily ahead. Hi clean-shaven jaw showed
great strength of purpose and evidenced that
the will of its possessor once aroused would
dominate to the end. The humorous mouth
softened a bit the almost sinister sternness
df the face and when the latter relaxed into
muiles it seldom failed to win a friend.
Here unquestionably wus a handsome man,
and as bis record showed, a brave one. Be
fore he was twenty Lieutenant Arslan Ba--.
rlugtnti had won his spurs in active service,
ami under Dewey sailed quickly and fearlessly
into the hearts of the American people.
He had accompanied our now famous ad
miral on the dark night when iu Manila
Hay he bad carried bis ship stanchly into
the enemy's midst, catching them asleep,
vlnnlng fame for himself and glorifying a
n:il ion.
But that victory was not the only one in
which Lieutenant Harrington , bad shared.
Every line of his splendid figure showed
that be was born to tight and, although when
he was deeply moved his quivering nostrils
and his glowing face indicated a somewhat
sensitive nature, one never- mistook the
strength and power revealed in his counte
nance. Standing now witn cap in naud be watched
the blue waters of the Pacific that ocean so
ruie in its beauty, so unforgettable In its
splendjar The waves, tipped with sunshine,
flashed fire, while the air above quivered
with luminous rays. Far out the waters
dissolved from blue into wondrous shades
of green and across the rainbow colors misty,
mysterious islands reared their beads, glint
ing like jewels in a turquoise setting
Dropping his gaze to the land below hhu
the young officer tried to make out the Fran
ciscan mission of the Santa Barbara, for
that was bis destination. The admiral of
the Pacific squadron at San Diego had, a few
days previously, intrusted him with speeiul
dispatches to be carried there.
And then the news was flashed around the
world! From the Atlantic to the Pacific,
from Fast to West, the wires tingled with
its importance. From the smallest adobe in
the foothills of the Sierras' to the palaces on
the Hudson the interest vibrated. The
American fleet would sail around the globe!
Lieutenant Harrington bad undertaken the
journey to Sauta Barbara with delight, espe
cially as he had sufficient time to allow of
his walking over the 'asitas Pass. In no
better way could he travel that sunlit Cali
fornia than with a map and compass. The
trails were not always clear, but he never
minded a detour, for it invariably revealed
.some unexpected beauty. The graceful
grouping of the mountains, the surprises of
cannons and dividing ridges, all so su
premely lovely that It is impossible to over
estimate their charm, were indescribable.
With his field glasses Harrington at last
spied the mission beautiful enough to at
tract attention, even, did one know naught of
its interesting history. Built on the crest of
a hill commanding a view of the valley, its
twin towers are boldly outlined against the
higher range.
The young man descended the pass rapidly
and came out in an open stretch of valley.
He had almost finished his Journey. The
mountains had been cool, but here in the
valley the day had become suddenly very
warm and he felt his energy wane.
D was high noon. He would find shelter,
eat bis modest lunch, sleep away the heated
hours of the afternoon and reach the mis
sion in time for supper. He threw himself
down under the shade of a great pepper tree
and sank to sleep almost as soon as his
head touched the ground.
4 CHAPTER II.
HOW long hehiad been asleep he did not
know, but it must have been several
hours, for when he opened his eyes
a sain the sun was setting low and he awak
ened suddenly as if something had disturbed
him. He sat up and leaned against the trunk
of the huge pepper tree and as be did so he
realized w hat it was that had broken in upon
his rest.
Three women were approaching and from
their attire he judged they were nuns. He
arose and stood waiting for them to come
near him.
Two of the women were old, but the third,
from a certain easy undulation in her walk,
he knew was young. Their heavy full
skirted brown dresses uwere looped up on one
hip and together with their flat shoes re
tarded their movements. But in spite of
this, the elastic step of the woman in the
center etrayed unmistakably her youthful
vigor. They were conversing earnestly.
The young woman appeared to be protest
ing vigorously and her excitement was in
great contrast to the calmness of the others.
All three were too engrossed to notice him,
although they were so near now that he
caught a part of their conversation.
He decided to make his presence known,
but quickly changed his mind and drew back
beneath the branches of the tree. For a
strange thing was happening. The nuns
had stopped. The two older ones faced blm,
and, lifting their hands, began praying aloud.
The third sank on her knees before them,
her face in her hands. He could not under
stand what they said, but at last the words
"Heaven give peace to our afflicted sister"
fell on his ears. Then, ceasing, they kissed
her on the forehead, chin and either cheek,
in this manner making a cross. When she
had risen to her feet they kissed her cheek
again and after saying aloud "Beloved, good
by," they turned and walked away quickly.
The young nun remained immovable until
they had disappeared. When the last flutter
of their brown garments bad faded in the
distance she raised her bands deliberately
and took off her cap and veil. Then gradu
ally she loosened h?r hair. It fell in a long
yellow stream far below her waist. Sud
denly she shook her head and the golden
shower floated from her in waves of light,
falling almost to her knees. The man who
watched her wondered that one woman could
possets so much. It waved, it rippled, It
shimmered in the sunshine. He had never
dreamed anything so glorious as this wom
an's loosened hair. It was bewildering.
It thrilled him. Then the reflection that the
possessor of this golden mass was utterly
unconscious of his presence gave him a tin
gling sensation of guilt.
lie had had no view of her face. Indeed,
with the sunlight which fell oyer her head,
he scarcely distinguished her features.
Suddenly she gave a great cry. and stretch
ing her arms out wildly threw herself upon
the ground and broke Into piteous weeping.
Sobs shook her slender form from head to
foot. She quivered with a grief so violent
he wondered what could be the tragedy
which it expressed.
He began to feel most uncomfortable. It
seemed criminal almost to watch this woman
who. believing herself to be alone, was giv
ing away to her sorrow. HUH, be could not
leave any human creature suffering as she
evidently was without offering assistance.
Impulsively be took a step forward. She
heard his footsteps and sat up instantly, at
the same time drawing ber hair mora thickly
across her face, concealing it entirely. Wben
he reached her side she had ceased to sob.
Only a long quivering movement of ber body
showed her agitation.
As he stood before her he never felt more
awkward in his life, yet he felt that he must
say something, and after the manner of man
he asked the first question wbicb came into
bis mind.
"Can you show me the Camino del Ray?"
She started to rise, bat her paroxysm of
grief had weakened ber and she staggered.
Impulsively he caught her bands to aid ber
to her feet. Only an instant be held them
because she withdrew them at once, but
though her face was still concealed behind
the golden veil he said instinctively to him
self: "I am sure that she is beautiful. Her
hands have told me so. No woman with
such hands could be homely."
When she spoke he would learn more from
her voice. But she did not speak, and ber
manner compelled hint, also, to silence.
There was aloofness even in ber way of an
swering his question, for she merely raised
the brown-shrouded arm and pointed silently
to the way he should follow. Then before
he could thank her for even this silent cour
tesy she turned and walked swiftly in the
opposite direction until she disappeared Into
the valley.
As he took bis way down the road to
which she bad pointed, although he bad not
even seen ber face or obtained the slightest
clew to ber name be told himself calmly:
"I know I shall see that woman again.
Strange, even ridiculous as It may seem, I
was never more convinced of anything In
my life. Something passed between us
when I touched her bands; although no
words were uttered, it seemed as if our
souls spoke, but I recognized it as psychical
communion at once, although this is my first
experience with anything of that sort."
CHAPTER III.
ALL around Barrington the cypress and
tbe myrtle bloomed. Birds in scarlet
plumage flickered like flame between
tbe branches of the green trees as he passed
by groves where golden oranges dangled
temptingly,
He was in the most fascinating highway
in all the world the Camino del Bey, which
like a broad ribbon stretches through Cali
fornia and which once connected tbe mis
sions and linked the settlements built by the
Spaniards and the Indians. What wonderful
tale could be written of it tales of
the splendid heroism of the padres,
without whose mighty efforts Cali
fornia could not have lived In those
early days when, happily or wearily,
those sainted priests tramped that
broad highway.
Inspired by these thoughts Bar
rington strode along toward Santa
Barbara. Just outside of tbe town a
sudden turn in the road brought him
in full view of a man and woman.
Both were Spaniards. The woman
was refined in appearance, astonish
ingly pretty and apparently not more
than 25. The man bore the ear-marks
of an aristocrat, yet he was of a
distinctly disagreeable type. Unlike
most of his race, he was tall, and,
though unusually handsome, bis face
showed the weakness of self-indulgence
and deep lines of dissipation.
Furthermore, it was now convulsed
with anger.
The couple had evidently just left
their horses, for the woman wore
the California riding dress with its
divided skirt, while the costume of
the man was accentuated to pie
turesqueness by the sombrero and
high-top boots. They were too ab
sorbed in their quarrel to notice
13 ARRINGTQN Suddenly Sprang
IJ Minnie hater, Scowling and
the Spaniard Picked Himself Up With
Harrington's approach. The man was older
than his companion. Barrington judged him
to be about 35. The woman was talking rap
idly in ber native tongue, which Barrington
understood perfectly. Hhe was reproaching
ber companion and it evidently angered him
greatly, for suddenly be seieed her by the
shoulders and shook her.
To the officer's astonishment the girl
showed no resentment. She did not even
struggle. But ber aubmissiveness instead
of softening apparently only angered him
all the more. He raised bis whip and un
doubtedly would have struek her had not
Barrington, unable to contain bis indigna
tion longer, sprung forward.
At the sight of him the astonished Span
lard dropped the girl's arm and exclaimed
In fury:
"Where in the devil's name did you eome
from?"
Ignoring bis question and making no effort
to veil his contempt Harrington asked:
"What kind of man are you to strike a
woman?"
"Must I account to you, sir?" replied the
Spaniard haughtily. "I may do a I like.
The woman la mine."
"But humanity Is tbe world's," came the
quick retort, "and real men do not strike
their wives."
Tbe Spaniard's angry flush heightened as
the two men faced. each other.
"And pray, 8ir, who are you that you
should dictate the proper treatment of
wives?"
"Only a man," answered the other.
The girl bad drawn off a little to one aide
and was quietly weeping. She showed no
Interest whatever In the altercation.
"Well," continued the Spaniard, advancing
a Step nearer, "and what will humanity and
your damned impertinence choose to do now
as against my property, sir?"
His Insolence and the sneer which accom
panied it was too raucb of a strain upon the
American's patience. Barrington suddenly
sprang forward, and when a few minutes
Forward and a Few
Cursing With Anger,
a Blackened Bye.
later, scowling and cursing with anger, the
Spaniard picked himself up with a blackened
eye nod a sprairied wrist, he was doubtless
convinced that it was a mistake to fight a
man without first measuring his strength.
Barrington felt considerably better. He
had not enjoyed bandying words with the
man.
"I shall be here for some time," he vol
unteered, "and can be found at the mission.
I shall be glad at any time to discuss the
law with you again, on the same terms."
CHAPTER IV.
AN HOUR or so later Barriugton sat In
the reception bail of the mission awalt:
Ing the Superior, The door opened
and Padre Galves entered.
"What a handsome man Padre Galves
must, have been in bis youth!" thought Har
rington. The old priest's dark eyes, bright and
piercing, softened wonderfully as be looked
at the young man before him and a gentle
smile Illumined bis face when be said" in a
voice of fullness and sweetness:
"You are astonishingly like your mother
like ber as I knew ber In ber yontb. She
must be gray-haired now, but aba will al
ways be beautiful," be finished gently, "be
cause her soul was beautiful.".
At the priest's words one of bis rare smiles
broke over the young officer's face.
"My mother, sir, is, as you say, very beau
tiful still."
Wben the officer rpse to leave be had a
strong desire to question the padre concern
ing the cloistered nuns near by and to tell
him of his experience with the novice that
afternoon. But it seemed like spying
further upon the unfortunate woman and so
te held bis peace. He felt, however, that
there was one question which be must ask
this learned man.
"Padre," be ventured, "have you in your
faith only condemnation for the psychic?"
"My sea,, why should the faith condemn?"
"But could you as a priest accept some
thing not clearly explained? Would it not
be wrong?"
"Not always. Tbe circumstances would
have much weight, but your qtfestlon la a
little vague, I think."
The young man reddened. He dared net
be more explicit.
"If you were absolutely convinced of
something which reason told you was im
possible, padre, would you still believe?"
"The mysteries of the world are many,"
tbe priest responded. "Wiser beads than
ours bave puzzled over them."
There came to Barrington tbe thought of
au episode in bis memorable campaign with
Dewey which was fraught with mystery at
the. time, but which later had made blm
more or less a firm believer In tbe occult,
"May I tell you of my first experience with
tbe psychic?" he asked.
Tbe priest nodded acquiescence.
"On the morning that the Olympla abple
through tbe gray mist into tbe waters of
Manila Bay I was stationed aft on the lower
deck, while our famous commander and bis
immediate subordinates occupied tbe bridge."
The young man flushed as be observed a
tightening of the lips of tbe man to whW
be was speaking. lie felt Instantly tbe ln
pppropriateneas of the subject before such
a listener, for while Padre Galves waa
man of big mental caliber, tbe thought of
that memorable morning In which bis na
tion's ships bad been humbled in a most
incredibly brief affray could not but affect
him now. Tbe priest saw tbe young man's
embarrassment and came speedily to his
rescue. ,
"Go on, my boy; we cannot qnarrel with
history. You started to tell me something
about the day of which you were justly proud
and of which we have no reason to be
ashamed. Go on,"
"I felt rather than heard a voice," con
tinued Barrington. "It was insistent and In
what was probably not more than the pass
ing of a few second: it seemed to repeat Its
)mmii(l a dussen times.' Involuntarily I
heeded It without attempting to define It.
i
I stepped a pace to the right and as I did
so n ball from one of the Spanish ships tore
Into and pierced the main hatchway behind
which I had stood.
"The miraculous escape did not impress
me greatly at the time. I attributed it to
luck."
The young officer leaned forward and bis
ordinarily cold eyes sparged as he went cm.
"The real significance of the Incident,
padre, came home to me nrter my return to
America. My mother ami I were in the
library of our New York home. It was late
at night, for I had been narrating to her at
length the history of the prodigious day that
made our admiral famous. Of a sudden nhe
nroe, and, wulkiii:; to my side, put her arms
around nie. 'My boy,' she said, you don't
know what a joy it in for nie to see you
safely here by my side. I a I way a worry
about you when you are one, of course.
But this last time I was more uneasy than
ever before. Do you know, Arslan, that in
the very hour, perhaps the very moment,
wben you were in the thick of that engage
ment on the Olyinpia I seemed to receive
some telepathic message that you were in
Imminent danger. " I was agonized and in
my excitement cried aloud, "Move, Arslan,
move!" I wonder if you beard me! if a
kind Providence made you hear me?
"You can Imagine, padre, my feelings when
the thought of that strange warning I had
received on the battleship was recalled by
ray mother's words. I am now a firm be
liever in mental telepathy. Can you
blame me?"
"So," answered Padre Galvez kindly.
"The ways of Providence are impenetrable.
And now now in a different way you are
experiencing another mystery?"
Again tbe young man's face flushed, but
he dtdjpt reply. Perhaps this new psychic
feeling could be explained tbe same way.
CHAPTER V.
BARRINGTON was thoughtful as he
bade the padre good night. Later la his
room he found himself depressed. Yet
he was on tbe alert as though bracing himself
to meet some great pressure.
It had been but a moment that he had
held the woman's hands, but the knowledge
of her call bad come to blm instantaneously.
Ills own soul bad answered affirmatively as
It thrilled In the grip of her appeal.
The mere remembrance of it filled bis
mlad and a dozen times be tried to force
bis thoughts into Other channels, but try as
he would-be was unsuccessful. Over and
ever again be asked himself:
"Can I believe? Can any sane man be
never
Suddenly he heard a voice say: l
"Open your eyes and believe."
(To be continued next week.)
(Copyright, 1015, by Edith Oyden Harrison.