eBooks Base 2000

"What has happened?" said the priest feebly.
"A giddiness seized your reverence just now, as we were coming to seek
you."
"And you met no one?"
"No one, your reverence."
Father Pedro passed his hand across his forehead.
"But who are these?" he said, pointing to two figures who now appeared
upon the trail.
Antonio turned.
"It is the Americano, Senor Cranch, and his adopted daughter, the
_mestiza_ Juanita, seeking your reverence, methinks."
"Ah!" said Father Pedro.
Cranch came forward and greeted the priest cordially.
"It was kind of you, Father Pedro," he said, meaningly, with a
significant glance at Jose and Antonio, "to come so far to bid me and
my adopted daughter farewell. We depart when the tide serves, but not
before you partake of our hospitality in yonder cottage."
Father Pedro gazed at Cranch and then at Juanita.
"I see," he stammered. "But she goes not alone.
She will be strange at first. She takes some friend, perhaps--some
companion?" he continued, tremulously.
"A very old and dear one, Father Pedro, who is waiting for us now.


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