The Doomswoman - An Historical Romance of Old California

Project Gutenberg's The Doomswoman, by Gertrude Franklin Horn AthertonThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it,give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online atwww.gutenberg.netTitle: The Doomswoman An Historical Romance of Old CaliforniaAuthor: Gertrude Franklin Horn AthertonRelease Date: May 5, 2004 [EBook #12270]Language: English*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DOOMSWOMAN ***Produced by Leah Moser and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.[Illustration: Gertrude Atherton PHOTOGRAPHED BY MRS. LOUNSBERY]THE DOOMSWOMANAn Historical Romance of Old CaliforniaByGertrude Atherton[Illustration]1900ToSTEPHEN FRANKLINTHE DOOMSWOMAN.I.It was at Governor Alvarado's house in Monterey that Chonita first knew of Diego Estenega. I had told him much of her,but had never cared to mention the name of Estenega in the presence of an Iturbi y Moncada.Chonita came to Monterey to stand godmother to the child of Alvarado and of her friend Doña Martina, his wife. Shearrived the morning before the christening, and no one thought to tell her that Estenega was to be godfather. The housewas full of girls, relatives of the young mother, gathered for the ceremony and subsequent week of festivities. Benicia, mylittle one, was at the rancho with Ysabel Herrera, and I was staying with the Alvarados. So many were the guests ...