Produced by Al Haines [Frontispiece: BUILDING FROM WHICH STANISLAUS AND HIS FOLLOWERS STOLE TWO HUNDRED INDIAN MAIDENS "When Padre Osuna trails us he can perform a hundred double weddings at once"] The Bride of Mission San José A Tale of Early California By JOHN AUGUSTINE CULL THE ABINGDON PRESS NEW YORK CINCINNATI Copyright, 1920, by JOHN AUGUSTINE CULL CHARACTERS PROMINENT IN THE STORY SEÑOR MENDOZA, former Colonel in Napoleonic wars; subsequently, Administrator of Mission San José de Guadalupe, Santa Clara Valley, California; later Governor of the province. CARMELITA MENDOZA, daughter of Señor Mendoza. PADRE LUSCIANO OSUNA, Spiritual Head of Mission San José de Guadalupe. CAPTAIN MORANDO, Comandante of the Pueblo of San José; afterward General of all the land forces of the department of California. COLONEL BARCELO, Comandante of the Presidio of Monterey, and acting Governor of California. CHARLES O'DONNELL, in the secret service of the United States. SEÑORA VALENTINO, in the secret service of England. CAPTAIN FARQUHARSON, English representative extraordinary in the province. COMMODORE BILLINGS, Commanding the American fleet in the Pacific. ADMIRAL FAIRBANKS, Commanding the British fleet in the Pacific. YOSCOLO, Famous Indian chief. STANISLAUS, Lieutenant of Yoscolo. BROWN, Factotum of Captain Farquharson; later, in the employ of Señor Mendoza. Time: 1842 to 1846. Contents Chapter I. A Serenade in the Moonlight II. The Lion and the Lamb Lie Down Together III. A Dip into the Past IV. A Stranger Visits Señor Mendoza V. Another Stranger Makes a Visit VI. The Merienda VII. A Night Spent in a Cave VIII. The Political Pot Simmers IX. Señora Valentino Seeks to Interest Padre Osuna X. The Beginning of the Ball at Señor Mendoza's Hacienda House XI. At the Supper XII. Carmelita Dances El Son XIII. Returning from the Ball XIV. O'Donnell Takes A Horseback Ride XV. Señora Valentino Makes a Report XVI. The Señorita of the Window Pane XVII. O'Donnell Settles with Yoscolo XVIII. Farquharson Meets with a Loss XIX. Señora Valentino and Captain Morando Continue Conversation XX. Bitter Sweet XXI. A Few Diplomatic Touches XXII. Almost-- XXIII. Pedro Zelaya Brings Important News XXIV. The Next Day XXV. Brown Takes a Hand at Diplomacy XXVI. Braving the Storm XXVII. But Yet a Woman XXVIII. A Daughter of the De La Mendoza XXIX. A Departure XXX. Odds and Ends XXXI. Across the Years XXXII. A Wedding CHAPTER I A SERENADE IN THE MOONLIGHT "Fairer art thou than the lily, than the rose more sweet," sang a mellow baritone voice. A guitar thrummed accompaniment. At the end of his improvisation the singer waved the instrument gracefully, now in sweeping stroke, again in shorter measure, as if he were a maestro directing his musicians. Then he touched the strings in melancholy strain: