Juan took a seat by her little bed, not because he wanted to, but from the fact that he could not resist her influence.
“I mean, Juan, his Honor, the Governor. He is my papa, you know, and would be very sorry if I were to die. The man and woman into whose family I was born are nothing to me now. I never cared much for them, nor they for me; so no one there will cry. Why, Juan I took them a bottle of ‘Memory Fluid,’ and tried to get them to take it, so they could remember and we all could be happy. I could not be staying with people who only care for this life. Persons who see the things only seen by the eye.”
“Goodness!” exclaimed Juan, rising. “How can anyone see except with their eyes? Child, you are talking about things you know nothing of. Drink your milk and go to sleep. I can’t stay here much longer a-humoring you. I’ve got to attend to Señor Murillo,” concluded Juan, rising.
“Sit down, Juan, sit down,” quietly said Catalina; and Juan obeyed meekly.
“Great One, who lives here and everywhere, who knows all and causes all, speak to me. Advise me. Will I be interfering with my soul, will light be shut out from me; will I be in the way of anyone seeing things not seen by the eyes, if I leave the matter we call a body, and go to you? The people into whose family I was born are harming me, and I, a little girl, am not strong enough in will or in knowledge of law to make them follow me.” Turning to Juan she continued: “I have not been answered yet, Juan, but I feel as if I must go; but I will come back, I will come back, and his Honor, his Honor will be my papa. See, Juan, I am going.”
“Oh, don’t go yet,” cried Juan; “there is the bell. I must answer it.”
Catalina sat up in bed, and as Juan left the room, called: “Don’t be gone a moment, Juan. I want to go away.” Then to herself she continued: “It is not right for me to have been born into a family that do not know me, that do not know the other world, and who do not remember. I cannot be happy. I must live again. Great One above, shall I come?” She leaned her head upon the little pillow encased in a dainty linen slip, and remained perfectly silent. When Juan opened the door a few moments later, and rushed into the room, she sat upright, and before he had time to speak, said: “Juan, I am not going now. I can help his Honor. I can help others. I can give many ‘Memory Fluid’; but before the cruel war ends, I will leave and come again.”
“I am almost out of breath, I hurried so fast to get back before you could die. I got some terrible news. It came from the President, and as his Honor was not here, Señor Julio Murillo opened the dispatch and translated the ciphers. He believes there will be trouble all over the States. He says he will telephone him personally in a few hours, and on his arrival in Washington if the revolutionists are gaining in number and giving more trouble, the army will be called out, and peace will soon be restored. His Honor is not in the mansion, and everyone but Señor Julio Murillo fears that some harm has befallen him.”
“Oh, no; not everyone,” cried Catalina. “I am not afraid he is harmed. He is with Helen Hinckley and safe. She loves him. Señor Julio knows where they are, but I do not; but I can find them. Go on, Juan. I am going to sleep; the warm milk is taking effect. I will sleep, but not die for some time to come; not until I feel that I have done all possible good. Then I will go and come back again, and then you will know me; you will not be dead, but you will remember. Go on, Juan; I am going to sleep. Tell his Honor, if you should see him before I do, not to be alarmed, if he does not see me for a few days. I will be very busy while the struggle lasts; at least, while it lasts in Chihuahua. Many are needed to spread ‘Memory Fluid.’ It will have more effect in spreading truth abroad and quelling the war at hand, than millions of guns. I am needed to keep my eye upon several whom his Honor will pass by, now that the lives of his people are in danger. I will be a detective, Juan, and because I am a child no one will mind me being around. There is ‘The Plunger from Kansas,’ Mrs. Grange, and Marriet Motuble, who need the eye of the law upon them, but on account of the trouble caused by Don Francisco R. Cantu y Falomir, Father Hernandez and Rev. J. T. Note, they will be forgotten. It is my duty to see to them, and I will perform my duty well. Go on, Juan; I am very sleepy.”
The little fair head again fell back against the pillows, and in the few moments Juan stood by silently watching, she fell into a sound slumber.