on in turbulent masses, and very low, till all was dark, as the last
rent was filled, through which the moon had been shining. It was a
terrible storm, the worst I had ever known, and Catalina came to my door
at about two o'clock, in great fright, saying that she had seen a figure
like Madre Mareno, going by the house as if floating in the air, and had
heard a loud report as if there had been thunder in the distance, coming
from Tamalpais. I could hear the rumbling and could not tell what it
was; but I laughed at her fears and told her that it must have been a
shadow, for no human being even a witch, would be out in such a night,
if they could help it.

Catalina went back to her room, but was far from reassured, and sat the
rest of the night with her beads in her hand, praying by candle light.

The next morning the storm was over, though through the sky the clouds
were driving fast, but the rising sun touched them with gold and all the
trees looked bright and new. Early, after breakfast, I gathered some
flowers, and, mounting my mare, rode down to Madre Moreno's cottage.

The storm seemed to have been more severe here than at the rancho, for
the garden was destroyed and the vines by the house were hanging, torn
from the trellises.

Knocking at the half open door, I waited some minutes, but receiving no
answer, stepped into the room. Upon the table lay a sheet of paper, I
took it up to read what was written on it, thinking it would tell where
the Madre and Ysidria had gone.

All that was upon it was my name, but under the sheet was an envelope
addressed to me. I hurriedly broke the seal and spread the sheets before