Suzanna Read Online Free PDF

guest lighted their cigars, then joined the doña in sipping from the old, hammered-silver goblets the deliciously refreshing liqueur.
    For several more minutes the don looked reflectively across the patio, puffed at his cigar, and toyed with his goblet. Then turning to his visitor, who was eyeing him curiously, he said:
    â€œAlvarez, you are my attorney; likewise, you are my friend. I have sent for you to advise me.”
    Alvarez bowed his head. The don thought for a moment, then resumed:
    â€œIt is about Ramon.”
    Alvarez—the boy Miguel’s father—feigned his surprise. He had been quite aware of the subject to be discussed, but he was a successful lawyer; and lawyers even in that day found it passing wise to dissemble at times. He largely divided his time between Monterey and the hacienda, so it followed that he had an ear to the ground concerning what went on in the household of Don Fernando.
    â€œYour manner, more than your words, alarms me,” he exclaimed. “I hope there is nothing of great moment involved in what you have to say.”
    â€œI am sorry,” Señor Gutierrez replied, “but it is of the utmost concern to my wife and me. There is no need for me to tell you how I regard mixed marriages, or the store I set by my lineage. I thought that I had impounded my tastes and desires in my son. Lately, however, I have had reasons enough to doubt the truth of that. There has even been talk about the boy, and public gossip needs some foundation of fact to survive. I do not know if in your visits here you have noticed the daughter of Ruiz, the peon.”
    â€œBut, of course,” Alvarez stated, “I remember her as a child about the hacienda.”
    â€œI would she had remained a child,” Doña Luz said pointedly.
    â€œYou echo my own wish,” Don Fernando went on. “As a child, Suzanna was an unusual little creature, considering her parentage. When Ruiz’ wife died, we naturally took a greater interest in her. It was a fatal mistake. The situation that we face now is of our own making. The girl has developed into a beautiful woman, and I’ll own, not without a certain sense of poise and wisdom. But she is a peon. Ramon is man grown, too. The intimacy that existed between them as children was well enough; but we cannot tolerate it now. People are coupling their names together. I know my boy’s spirit, and I am at a loss what to do. A heavy hand is the last thing I want to use.”
    â€œYou don’t mean that this affair has progressed to the point of love?” Alvarez asked.
    â€œNot yet. But that it will, is most certain. Their fondness for each other has changed gradually from impersonal friendship and good-fellowship to personal regard; although I am sure that neither realizes that love exists. I should have sent the girl away long since. They have never been separated, except for the two years the boy spent in Spain. I used to laugh to see him trundling her about the hacienda.” The don slapped his knee and shook his head. “It’s no laughing matter to-day,” he finished mournfully.
    A period of silence followed. Alvarez’ face wore a well-feigned frown. Don Fernando glanced at him sharply as he sat without replying or offering suggestion. “You know that I cannot talk to Suzanna,” the father argued. “To do so would be but to make her aware of the very thing I fear. The same thought holds good with the boy. You have got to suggest something, Alvarez.”
    â€œIt’s an awkward situation,” the attorney answered. “You are sure you do not exaggerate it?”
    â€œI suppose we do,” Doña Luz observed quietly. “But, we must not forget to mention that Ramon is betrothed to the daughter of Don Diego. The girl and her father are expected home shortly. Ramon is a dutiful son; he knows that he is pledged to wed the daughter of our dear friend and neighbor. I am sure that he