The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-10-07

1 She smiled when blessed her,
Il 4" And blushed when I kissed her,
And owned that she loved and would wed none bu
/ TEMPTED.
| 'daily We roam all day the mountain,
Fearless we wander, where the glaciers shine,
| Joyous at eve We seek the fountain,
Friends Of the valley there with you to recliue.'
Tho voice was clear and sweet as
that Of bird, and the face under the
jaunty ziding-bat matched the voice
not beautiful, but fresh and fair, with q
soft, peachy bloom on the cheeks, and
look that did you good to see. in the
steadfast brown eyes. The sleek bay
pony a'ched his neck. and stepped
proudly, as if ho esteemed it no slight
honor to carry his young mistress.
Truth to toll, Jessie Wentworth had a
great liking for horses, and special af.
lection for this particular one Of the
equine race, who had been her especial
property from his colthood up. His
name, too-Lightfoot-was one of her
own choosing: Jessie we'll remember.
ed how, when little girl, she had fed
Lightfoot's mother from her hand; and
what proud glances the gentle creature
cast. on her offspring, who was then an
awkward-looking little thing, as colts
are apt to be, nearly all legs. But he
had improved wonderfully as he grew
up, and now there was. not a finer horse
for miles, around and she patted his
glossy neck, aud spoke, ,cheerfally to
him aa:be cantered briskly along.
The road just here was very quiet
and lonely. with dark growth. of trees
on one side--large trees, from which
depended long, trailing vines-and on
he other, fields stretching far away to
the river which flowed sluggishly along,
while at intervals little clouds of smoke
cu,ling upward above the trees i which
friaged tho banks told where a steam
boat was :ploughing its way, and a sharp
whistle sounded out on the still air as
the putting steamer rounded-to at some
one of the many landings; but other
sight or sound of human habitation
there was none. -,
Jessie's eyes we're fixed on cluster
Of brilliant blossoms depending from
vine little distance above her head.
"They are lovely. I wonder if I
can't reach them"
An artist would have admired the
graceful pose Of her figure as she stood
up for an instant in the st,rrup; but
the flowers still swayed back and forth,
just out Of her reach.
"lt will never do to give it up so,
Lightfoot," she said. playtully address,
ing the horse. Lightfoot turned his
head around to look, as if signifying
that he was all attention. -:
ut will never do to give, it up so.
l can reach them by standing in the
saddle, and there is no one to see.
Steady, L,ghtfoot, steady. So" ,aa.:=
The obedient animal stood like q
rock, and coiling the bride loosely
about her wrist first gathering up her
long skirts 50 as to free her toot-the
young girl stepped fearlessly into the
saddle. %, ~ .%,.- ,....r.,- s. f. .,,.s.
] The coveted blossoms were ia her
hand, when there came tho clear, sharp
report Of gun, and a ball wbizzcd
past 1.ightfoot's head. He made q
slight. involuntary movement-only
one, but it caused Jessie to lose her
balance, and she fell heavily to the
ground with one foot doubled under her.
while an agonizing pain in der right
arm told that IT., too Was injured. = =
Nearly fainting with pain abe lay still
moment, unable TO move.
Presently there came ! ory q "Mad
dog! mad deg and, looking up
hastily, she saw coming along. the road
toward hera large dog belonging 70 one
Of her neighbors. Tie was shaggy
Newfoundland, good -natured and flolic-
some as kitten. She had rompod with
him many and many q time !; but now
her very heart stood still, for his
strange motions, aud the foam at, his
mouth told that he was mad Behind
him came q party Of men ia hot puv-
suit, some on foot, some on horseback,
all armed. They had not seen Jessie
Ill eyes were fixed on tho dog, aud he
aas, msking straight for her. & ,@.ssss 3..s
Lizhtfoot saw the danger aud quiy-
cred 10 ever limb, but did. not stir
81 &sSa