We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
THE BELL OF PENANCE
95
this I know. How did you escape?" The girl hesitated a moment.
"We were rescued," she replied, at length, blushing. "I do not know who it was — he was a stranger. He rode away."
"A perfect gentleman, that; but he had better not remain in these parts. But, if he should, remember that I am my little Josef a 's friend." Then he kist her hand and went away.
Less than an hour later, as she and her cousin Pia sat whispering of their adventure of the morning, and remarking on the handsome, dashing appearance of their rescuer, they heard voices in the garden. Josefa turned, and was surprised to see her father approaching with their handsome stranger familiarly clasped by the arm.
Don Joaquim came directly toward them, and introduced the young man as Senor Henry Fitch, an American, who had set out to see this part of the world, and who came to
him with a splendid letter of introduction from an old friend, which made the young American a welcome guest as long as he desired to stay.
Father Vincente went often to see Don Joaquim, and on each visit he saw his fair daughter blossoming like a rose under the attentions of the young American. The padre and Pia were making silent efforts to culminate the romance, and were delighted
THE AMERICAN RESCUES JOSEFA AND PIA
to see the young man approach the fond parents one morning soon after, and ask their daughter in marriage. But for some reason the proud don seemed reluctant to give his consent. Thereupon, Pia had run forward and told the whole affair of the attack on them by desperadoes, and their timely rescue by Senor Fitch. This news had the desired effect.
Don Joaquim gave his consent, and with it his lasting gratitude. But the padre, standing near, could see that Don Joaquim was yet uneasy, so he threw all the weight of his genial good-nature into the breach, and Josefa and Henry Fitch became that day betrothed.
The news had spread thru the settlement long before Padre Vincente reached the mission in the cool of dusk. He paused for a minute before the bell-less belfry. The happiest moment in the careers of two human hearts was approaching, yet all the wide valley would not hear the glad tidings thru wedding bells. There was a tear in his eye as he sighed and passed on.
At the door of the mission stood Junipero Serra and the Father Superior, in deep conversation. At his approach the Spaniard turned and made off, with a malignant scowl.
It was a great relief to the padre and Pia when the day of the wedding arrived with no untoward event.