The Penance of Magdalena & Other Tales of the California Missions by J. Smeaton Chase
page 9 of 68 (13%)
page 9 of 68 (13%)
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When Te--filo told Magdalena, at their next meeting, what the Father had said, the girl was enraged. "So he thinks I am not good enough for you!" she cried: "And I have done everything to please him. But he is only a priest, and has no heart. Ah! those Spaniards, I hate them!" And then, with a woman's illogical turn--"Well, he shall see that I am Spanish too. We will go away to the Mission at San Diego, Te--filo. My father's brother is there, and I have heard my father say that he has influence with the priest. He will marry us, and you can work there as well as here." But Te--filo was in doubt. His love for Magdalena and his love and reverence for the Father contended. He was a simple, guileless soul, and the thought of ingratitude to his benefactor was a misery to him. Some other way must be found: the saints would help them; he would pray to San Lucas, who, the Father had told him, was his patron, for he had been born on his day and christened by his name: and Magdalena must pray, too. Magdalena, however, took up now an attitude of open rebellion, and absented herself entirely from the services of the Church. This was another trouble to Te--filo, and daily over his work he prayed to San Lucas, and pondered what was best to do. But days and weeks went on, and his inward disquiet began to take effect in his appearance and behavior. The Father, busy with the multitudinous affairs of the Mission, had entirely forgotten the matter of Te--filo's request: but one day he chanced to notice his favorite's listless air, and it recalled the affair to his mind. A day or two afterwards he said to Te--filo, as the latter was with him in the sacristy, "Te--filo, you are dull and not yourself. You were right, it is time you were married, and I have the |
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