The Pride of Palomar

the discovery of the desperate straits to which he had been reduced had, seemingly, deprived him of the power to think coherently. Along toward daylight, however, what wi

to throw her out of the kitchen; so I have locked him up in the room where of old I

ut food,

s have taken the vow of poverty. He could furnish nothing save half a ham, which is of Brother Flavio's curing, and very excellent. I have t

ere rapidly coming to his aid. He told himself that, with the dawning of the new day, he would no longer afford the luxury of self-pity, of vain repining for the past. He had to be up and doing, for a man's-sized task now confronted him. He had approximately seven months in which to rehabilitate an estate whi

d and I can stand and see, I'll carry it. I'll fight this man Parker up to the moment he hands the county recorder the commissioner's dee

e cold shower-bath he had installed in the adjoining room years before. It, together with the tub-bath formerly used by his father, was the only plumbing in the hacienda, and Farrel was just a little bit proud of it. He shaved, donned clean linen and an old dressing

r spots, and, finding none, donned it. A clean starched chambray shirt, set off by a black-silk Windsor tie, completed his attire, with the exception of a soft, wide

ered the dining-room. The long dining-table, hewed by hand from fir logs by the first of the Noriagas, had its rough defects of manufacture mercifully hidden by

ons of Noriagas and an equal number of generations of Farrels to their meals. As its musical notes echoed through the dewy patio, Murray, the butler, appeared from the kitchen. At sight of Farrel, he halted,

ndian of yours has announced that he will

grinned

ster here and that, for the present, my own servants will minister to the appetites of my guests. Thank you for your desire to serve, but, for

traordinary," Murray murmured. "Mrs. Parker is not ac

uld be good enough to oblige me by announcing breakfast to M

rray murmured, and d

ress and, evidently, was not prepared for the sight of Farrel standing with his back

spite the excitement of the early part of th

; I managed rather well with m

w of my father's old Spanish friends who are sticklers for etiquette. My father was one of the last dons in San Marcos County, and

are too young and modern for such an an

distinguishing appellation," he rem

im for several

soon. That will make it ever so much nicer for everybody

e them of their embarrassme

Kay warned, and glan

the rear. Mrs. Parker's handsome face was suffused with confusion, and, from the

Mr. Miguel Farrel

her hand for a moment, releasing it to grasp the reluctant hand of her husband. "A double welcome, sir," he said, ad

Parker performed a similar service for his daughter. With the assurance of one whose right to do was unquestioned, Farrel took his seat at the h

Mrs. Parker, and then, with a glance, including the rest of the company, "I find myself rather happy in th

l," the lady declared frankly and forcibly; "

h the feeling that his silence was a trifle disconcertin

you say. Kay informs me, however, that you are conversant with

onditions existing, I quite realize that you

n Farrel with new interest. He returned her gaze with o

f us for a jolly little ba

like you all very much if y

she replied, in her somewhat loud, high-pitched voice. "I love it, and I

ay cried re

h, now that our particular nuisance is here, alive and well, I suppose we ought to let bygones be bygones and b

course has been tried and

earing five portion

e forgive those who trespass against us

down at his ora

excused Murray

urst into shr

er husband, "what do you

l," Parker replied, with poorly

Rancho Palomar, retinting rooms, putting in modern plumbing, and cluttering up the place with a butler and maids, when-presto!-overnight a stranger walks in and says kindly, 'Welcome to my poor house!' Afte

nd the summer here, had

e you any idea what's

take rooms at a hotel there for

otels," she

rrel reminded her. "I shall be happy to have you remain here until I go away. Af

r spo

all not accept of your kindness. Now that you are here, I see no reason why I should impose the presence of my family and myself upon your hospitality, even if the

ll, John. Mr. Farrel has asked us in good faith. You weren't trying to be po

o dispossess you before Mr. Parker acquires a similar right to dispossess me, but, in the int

, and "Aye!" shr

ared her

is so ordered. I will now submit a platform for the approval of the delegates. Having established mysel

. Parker, and tapped th

of a bell will be t

ed!" cr

otion!" shril

isine will prevail. When you weary of it, serve notice, and

ker almost yelled

ll serve me

leading to the kitchen and

has a telegram for me.

uests long enough to read the telegram, and th

ordered to the Army of Occupation on the Rhine. Therefore, he cannot use Panchito, and forbids me to express the hor

ng Don Mig

y, "but, on the whole, the point is well taken." She tu

. He's a beautiful single-footer." He addressed Parker. "We used to have a big gra

r replied, flushing slightly,

da, and you are all invited out to the corral after luncheon

" Kay cried, e

her declared. "I really believe the Rancho Palomar is going