About the year 1830, there lived in a small village in Southern California, Papita, daughter of the widow Francesca. They were very poor and when Papita fell in love with Pedro, a handsome but equally poor young man, Francesca took matters into her own hands, and, without even consulting Papita, gave her consent to a marriage contract between her daughter and Alvarez, the wealthiest man in the village. Manuel, a crippled saddler, also loved Papita. He had loved her since she was a child when he had danced her on his knee. His love was that of an elder brother, and Papita, still scarcely more than a child, confided everything to him. To pacify her mother, Papita married Alvarez, and. before very long, his cruel nature asserted itself. Despairing for her child’s future, Francesca realized, too late, the mistake she had made, and one night, after Alvarez had been particularly cruel to Papita, both Pedro and Manuel visited Francesca: and, as Papita entered her mother’s house, she said, in a burst of passion, “Oh, I wish he were dead.” Both Pedro and Manuel decided that one of them must relieve Papita from the cruelty of Alvarez, but Pedro’s strength of will was not equal to the task. Manuel, however, with the almost fanatical love for Papita burning within him, decided to secure her freedom, and later that night, he accomplished his purpose. When Papita returned to her home, she found Alvarez dead. Believing Pedro bad committed the act, she took the blame upon herself and was taken to prison. Manuel learned of her arrest and sent word to the padre, declaring himself guilty of the crime. On the strength of his confession, Papita was set free and a search made for Manuel, who, in the meantime, had attempted to cross the desert without water. His weak body could not stand the strain, and he passed on to a higher judge to answer for his earthly sins.