it has gone when the priest has pronounced the two as one. But we
married lovers will never tell, for we are content to know that our
Christchild has sunken deep into our hearts where his song inaudible to
others is heard by us forever and ever."

[Illustration: Scroll]

[Illustration: Scroll]




Benicia's Letters.


After my aunt Benicia's death I found in her little desk a bundle of
letters, which threw light upon the romance of her life, and on the
reason perhaps of her refusing many offers which were known to have been
made her by honoured Californians of the last generation. The letters
are curious and interesting to me, and were written to my uncle by his
chum, and enclosed many sketches.

The letters are in Spanish, but for your better understanding I have
translated them with all their strange expressions as best I can.

At first I thought that I would destroy them, but as most of my friends
who read them now, have long known my aunt Benicia, I feel sure that
they will be, even in these practical days, interested and touched by
the revelation they so suggest of a life-long love which filled the
heart of the good, little woman, who is at last at rest.