the ranch property made it their future home. And the weeks and the months went by, but no father came for his little girl. Some time they would carry little Mariana themselves, but it would be a trip, by horse, of several days, and the journey was postponed from time to time.

Then came the news of the terrible Scourge, the "yellow fever," and among those who had died was the family of Senor Peralta. Dona Refugia was, secretly, not much grieved over the news, for now she could give to Mariana her own name. The grief of children can not always stay; and, though Mariana wept, she in time forgot and grew happy and contented with her foster parents. But she loved to tell about her beautiful "first mamma"; her little brother who could sing like a bird, and about Aurelio, so strong and tall and straight, who had protected her, and who had given to her the delicate chain she wore about her neck. She had found the moment to snatch it from under the rock before she was taken away, and never since that day would she allow it to leave her.

"Aurelio gave it to me. He told me to keep it till he could come for it. I will keep it till he comes, for some day I shall see him again. My Aurelio, so brave and

kind! I love him; he was my big brother!"

Mariana Gavina (for this was her name now) grew fast in her out-of-door life, her head covered again with glossy ringlets, and she was happy. There were children belonging to the peons of the ranch, with whom she played. There was no school, but Dona Refugia herself continued her lessons in reading and writing, which had been begun before she was stolen from her parents. Of one little baby in particular was Mariana very fond, and nothing pleased her better than to care for her while the mother was at her work.

But one day baby was very ill. "She will die!" cried the agonized mother, "but she has never been baptized, so will be lost! What shall I do? There is no padre here to baptize my babe!"

"Bring the child to me," said Dona Refugia. "I can baptize it. It will be just as valid, if the right words are said, anl said in the right order."

So the babe and water were brought. Dona Refugia made the sign of the cross on the forehead of the little one, repeated the formula, and the child was baptized, and lived, for from that moment she grew better, all said.

CHAPTER X.

THE BISHOP AND HIS POWER.

The Reverend Bishop Rico was expected at the ranch on his occasional tour among the country folk. Mariana, now twelve years old, was to receive, with severa! other children, the rite of confirmation. White dresses had been made whose beautiful trimmings of hand embroideries and drawn work had occupied many months. The materials, the white ribbons and the veils which the girls were to wear, were brought from the nearest town. The great and long-looked-for day at last arrived. A forerunner, on horse, brought the tidings of the near approach of the bishop. The residents of the ranch gathered, while half a dozen of the young men ran on to meet the coach, and removing the horses, they themselves drew the great man in his carriage into the yard, all the people falling on their knees.

Mariana was awed, as she saw the "holy man" step down upon the robes cast be fore his feet. His velvet gown and mitre

were stiff with gold embroideries and sparkling with precious stones. He gra clously extended his finger tips for each to kiss, after which they arose and fol lowed into Dona Refugia's private room, which had been fitted up with altar, images and appropriate belongings. The (custodia) box, in which is carried the host, was also richly decorated with gold and silver and jewels, and was carefully borne by an attendant.

At one side of the room kneeled those who were to be confirmed, for they must first make free and full confession to the bishop of their sins. Mariana, in her fright, could remember but few misdeeds. The man, by way of reminders, questioned her as to probable faults in deed, word or thought, to all of which she stammered replies.

As they kneeled again before the altar, and in front of the bishop, he extended first his hands above them, then made upon their foreheads the sign of the cross with the chrism (the most holy of the three sacred oils which are blessed by the bishop every Maundy Thursday), and solemnly pronounced the words:

"I sign thee with the sign of the cross, and I confirm thee with the chrism of sal

10

vation, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit!"

Then he gave a slight blow upon the cheek of each, to remind them that they must expect to meet hardships.

After a rest, and the dinner which had been prepared for him, Bishop Rico had other duties demanding his attention.

One of the peons had lately been buried, and his wife was in great distress lest his soul was still in purgatory. He had worn the scapular all his life. The scapular is a bit of cloth, stamped with the Virgin's image, and is worn upon the breast under the garments. To those who wear these all their lives the Holy Mother has promised to "come down to purgatory the Saturday after their death, and lift them to the mountains of Glory." He had also left money to pay for masses for his soul, but the distressed widow feared that it had not been enough.

"Let the woman be brought!" said the Reverend Bishop Rico, after listening to a statement of the case. Leading by the hand her little boy, she kneeled before him.

"Hast thou wherewith to pay for the masses for the soul of thy husband?" asked the man.