Since his death, I have
not touched one drop, although I was beset with temptation, seeing that
if we did not drink it, others would. But Carolina would have none of
it, and, as you know, your father, who is now, beyond doubt, an
archangel, was greatly opposed to any man who drank alone. How often
have I heard him declare that such fellows were not of the _gente_!
And Carolina always refused to believe that you were dead. As a
result, the years will be many before that wine is finished."
"My good Pablo, your great faith deserves a great reward. It is my
wish that, to-night, you and Carolina shall drink one pint each to my
health. Have you given some of this wine to the Parkers?"
Pablo shook his head vigorously.
"That fellow, _El Mono_, was desirous of serving some to his master,
and demanded of me the key, which I refused. Later, Senor Parker made
the same demand. Him I refused also. This made him angry, and he
ordered me to depart from El Palomar. Naturally, I told him to go to
the devil. Don Miguel, this gringo grub appears to be better than I
had imagined."
Farrel had little appetite for food, but, to please Pablo, he drank the
soup and toyed with a piece of toast and a glass of wine while the
majordomo related to him the events which had taken place at El Palomar
since that never-to-be-forgotten day when Tony Moreno had ridden in
with the telegram from Washington.
Pages:
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106