t and most impressive words wherever possible, and thus
convinced the senor that the document sounded legally important.
Indeed, the injured manager could scarcely wait to affix his
signature, so eager was he that John should be off on his errand of
salvation.

An hour later the padre came, and Jessica led Ninian away, that the
pair might have the cottage to themselves. Then, when this visitation
was over, the good man lingered, that he might hear for himself the
doctor's opinion when he should arrive. He, too, had listened to
another confession from the truly repentant Antonio; but there was
still a sacred office to perform if this awaited opinion should be for
death, not life. But he had ridden far, and was tired, having come
directly from his own church service at the distant mission, and
Jessica's hospitality could not endure to see the look of weariness on
the old man's kindly face.

"Beg pardon, Fra Sebastian, but would you like a cup of coffee?"

"Ah! my daughter, would I like the impossible? But, yes, I am
famished, indeed, for the good dinner of Marta, my housekeeper," he
answered, with a shrug of his plump shoulders.

"Well, father, I cannot give you a dinner, but I can make you a pot of
fresh coffee; and in Pedro's little storeroom are cans of meat, and
beans and biscuit. Oh! I tell you! I'll bring the plates out
here--there are two whole ones--and dear Mr. Sharp and you shall have
a picnic."

Already, with the light-heartedness of childhood, she had almost
forgotten the sorrowful errand upon which she had come to the mesa.
Besides, to her, a thing that was possible was, also, probable, and
John would never have raised false hopes in Antonio's breast. She was
sure of that, and already the senor's recovery a matter of but a
little while. Moreover, to serve others was her dearest happiness, and
though Fra Sebastian's faith was different from her parents', she had
been trained to know all good people as the children of God. And he
was especially such, for his benefactions and self-sacrifices were
widespread, and he had been an honored guest at her father's table.

"Oh! I am so happy to do anything for so holy a man, and I am so
glad--so glad we came!" she whispered to Ninian, tripping away to
relight the little stove and fill her kettle afresh.

"But I must be allowed to help, too, my captain," he returned, eagerly
entering into the altered spirit of things; and so merry were they
over their preparation