We are her sisters, snow-flakes white,
She is the princess of golden light.”
Thus all were happy, save the consul’s daughter, whose pride and rage devoured her. For one day every month she was doomed to be the slave of the wicked old witch, which was wretchedness. At last, one night, when her tasks had been too hard for endurance, from her great weariness and sickness of heart, she cried out, “O Lord Christ, forgive and pity me!”
Then the old witch gave a wild shriek of madness, and disappeared in the black shadows of the cañon forever.
Because she had hidden part of the golden snow, by this prayer the maiden was delivered out of her hands.
The selfish pride of the consul’s daughter was humbled, and she grew so gentle and good, that all, even the poor and dependent, learned to love her, so that she, too, became, in heart, a beautiful maiden.
GRACIA AND CATRINA.
Near the Mission of San Diego lived a very wealthy Spaniard and his wife, the most beautiful señora in all the country for many miles around.