For Honor’s Sake by Connie Mason

regretfully. “I must return to Rancho Delgado where Elena …”
    “Of course,” interjected Julie, feigning boredom. “Just make certain you speak to your lawyer about an annulment before you leave.”
    Slanting her an inscrutable look, Rod nodded his agreement. “I will leave some money with you should you decide to return east.”
    “Don’t bother, I don’t want your money,” Julie returned hotly. “Goodbye, Don Rodrigo.”
    “
Adios, querida. Vaya con Dios
.” Then he was gone, leaving Julie with a strange feeling of emptiness.

3
    The next day Julie discovered that Rod had left a substantial sum of money for her in Mae Parker’s keeping. He also explained the situation between him and Julie to Mae who was sympathetic to Julie’s circumstances but echoed Rod’s words advising her to leave California and go back to her people.
    “I know Don Rodrigo is a handsome devil, honey,” Mae told her, “but he is right, you know. You are an Anglo, an American. He is a Californio, a man of proud Spanish stock. He belongs to a different world. Besides, he has been promised to another woman since he was a child.”
    “I know, Mae, and … and I can accept that,” Julie contended. “But I will not leave California. Did Rod tell you about my father?”
    “He mentioned him, Julie, but I’m afraid your search is destined for failure. Thousands of men disappear in the mountains never to be heard from again. Likely your father is one of those men.”
    “Not you too!” wailed Julie, disheartened. “Is everyone against me? I will stay! I will find my father!”
    “I hope you do, honey. But, frankly, I never heard of him before you came. What is his first name?”
    “His name is Carl, Carl Darcy. He’s about forty-five, slightly balding, slender, blond like myself.”
    Mae shrugged. “Could be any one of dozens of men, Julie. I’m sorry, I don’t remember him.”
    “That’s all right, Mae. I’ll find him.”
    Judging from the determined tilt to Julie’s pointed chin, Mae decided that if Carl Darcy was alive his daughter was sure to find him. “What are your plans, honey?” she asked solicitously.
    “A job,” determined Julie resolutely. “I need a job. Can you help me?”
    “That’s easier said than done, Julie,” Mae admonished. “I’m not sure there is an honest job for a decent girl in all of San Francisco. The Chinese found themselves ill-equipped to work the mines and more inclined to seek employment in the cities for a fraction of the normal wages. Of course,” she paused dramatically, “there is always Casey’s Pleasure Palace and a few other gambling halls and saloons that are constantly on the lookout for beautiful women.”
    “Mae!” chided Julie, highly incensed. “I’d have to be quite desperate to resort to that … that kind of work. Think, Mae, you know this town. Is there no one willing to give me a job in all of San Francisco?”
    Pursing her lips in deep concentration, Mae wagged her head from side-to-side. “Julie, there just isn’t … wait … of course … Marty. Marty Sloan. Many a time Marty Said to me she wished she could find some decent help.”
    “Who is Marty Sloan?” Julie asked, her curiosity piqued.
    “She’s a widow just like me. Only her husband died of snake bite back in ‘48 on their trek up from Texas while mine lost his life defending his claim against claim jumpers. We became friends. I opened a boarding house with what my husband left me and Marty took their savings and bought a huge tent. You might have seen it on your way here yesterday. She provides meals for the hundreds of men passing through the city. There aren’t nearly enough restaurants to feed the hoards of menreaching San Francisco daily. I’m sure Marty would give you a job if I asked her.”
    “Perfect,” clapped Julie, excited. “I’m certain one of those men who eat at Marty’s will have heard of my father. Perhaps even know where he can be found. Thank you,