The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-11-24

j
on him as dying man, and gave up
any idea of recovering the ransom on
which they had originally fixed. Sc
they were content with plundering
him of all the money he had-a con-
siderable sum-and his. watch and
rings, and they left him; doubtless in
the belief that they were leaving him
to die. But he recovered his con-
seiousness and found himself alone,
What had become of the body of his
helpless friend ne did not know; but
he assumed that the robbers must have
flung it, to find grave, down one OF
the precipices of the mountain. All
that Ronald Levett knew was that he
saw his friend die, that he himself be-
came unconscious that when he re-
covered he found himself plundered
of everything valuable-and alone.
He dragged his wounded body and
sad spirit back somehow, in weary
marches, to Palermo, where his story
created an appalling sensation. Troops
were sent out TO scour the country
everywhere, in the hope of capturing
the brigands, or even recovering the
body of poor Lionel Black. The
brigands were not captured the body
was not found. After time the pub
lie mind lost its excitement-the SEN
sation passed away-and the poor
Young American artist, who had per-
ished SO miserably, was forgotten.
Not forgotten by all. The friend
who was by his side when he fell, the
girl whom he loved-these did not
forget him. Nothing could be more
profound than the effect which the
calamity seemed to have produced on
Ronald Levett. His grief was made
the more bitter by the fact, which he
never failed to tell with self-reproach,
that it was he who had suggested the
fatal excursion to the mountains. His
grief touched even the almost broken
heart of Julia, and common sorrow
\
drew them much together.
For her, all the brightness and color
and hope were gone out of her life.-
She seldom talked much about her
grief to her father, or even her moth
er; for she was painfully conscious
that they had never favored her love,
or looked on poor Lionel even. with
eyes of toleration. There was, in fact,
no one now on earth i'll whose society
she found any thing consoling or
sympathetic, save Ronald LeYett
alone. His manner was always so
tender and soothing, his tones and
words 80 profound sympathy, his
grief for his best friend was so earnest,
that Julia's heart opened and softened
to him. She seldom spoke of Lionel
] to any one but Ronald but they two
talked l6ug and often Of the youth
who was gone. So it came that, after
they returned to New York, and Julia
was in her fathers house on Staten
Island, Ronald at last ventured to re-
vive the memory of his own love
suit: and gently, delicately pressing
! it again and again, succeeded in draw.
ing from Julia a promise that she
would yet become his wife. a-.
1t was in the stress of her doubts
and agonies, after the promise had
been given, that Julia, lying awake in
her room, saw one night, or thought
she saw, the sight that has been des-
eribed. -.-.-..-........-..
She did not breathe a word of what
| she had seen to any one. But when
riding with her now accepted lover
next day, she suddenly said:
Ronald, have promised you thai
| will marry you. But that is because
we believe poor Lionel to be dead"
Believe it, dearest! Do we not
know it?" .. ......g ..-
Is it possible, quite possible, that
he should be alive?"
"Julia, how can You ask such q
question of me? Do you think
would have left him if there was any
chance of saving him? l saw poor
Lionel die.n ~
The tears rushed into JuIia's eyes
and she said no more. ..--
That night she dreamed of Lionel
t-dreamed that she saw him alive in
the midst of a group of bandits. The
dream was SO vivid, and her excite.
ment became so great that she scream,
ed, and awoke at the same scene, the
same forms appeared-faint, indeed
and shadowy, but still distinct be.
tween her and the window. Yes
there it was ; that was LioneFs form
He was alone among brigand
grour. She saw all this distinctly
ior moment, and then it was gone.
This kind of visitation, or dream
or whatever it might have been
seemed to have taken possession o.
the girls senses and being with the
return of every night. ba -pt
| One morning she flung herself up
on her knees before her father, an6
implored him, in a wild outburst O
tears, to take her to Sicily, that they
might try and find Lionel-to tax,
her there at once, if he would. save
her life OF her reason.
"Father, he is not dead he is alive
1 knowft! have seen him! If w,
do not seek him out, 1 shall die-ol
go mad!"
Mr.. Challoner had nothing of tn,
stern parent of the drama about him
He would have gone round the worlt
a dozen times to relieve his daughter
sorrow. And although he had NJ
faith whatever in her supernatural ad
monitions, he had sense enough t