The Saline County journal., 1892-01-28

ing in the thick tree tops, imagining
TO be the moon.
These singular observations wer
made only in the daytime.
This habit of his soon became known
and when he appeared with his iron
gray hair and the back of his Goa
stained with red mud. persons woul,
whisper:
HE has been to the dark ravipe."
One day he rode off on his favorit,
dark horse, and was gone for SO long
time that search was instituted for
him.
His lifeless body was found at the
bottom of the dark ravine, under that
Of his horse, which had evidently fallen
while attempting to make the leap,
perhaps from some nervous action on
the part of his rider.
Rider and horse had met death in the
same way-by the breaking of the
neck.
II was discovered that DIR. Ptemp-
scho, having no surviving children, had
made a will by which, after providing
for his wife, he had bequeathed the
greater part of his wealth, including
the estate on which he lived. to HIS
granddaughter, Jacinth Veldimoore, a
young lady of twenty-one, for whom he
had a strong affection, although he had
not seen her since she was a child ten
years old, as, her parents being dead,
she lived with her paternal grand
parents in California.
A year after the grandfathers death
his young lady came east and took
possession of the estate, establishing
herself, with her grandmother and a
male and female servant, in the pict-
uresque old house.
Beautiful in form and feature, cul-
tured in mind and gracious In manner.
Jacinth Vcldimoor soon won MANY ad-
miring friends in the place in which she
had come to take up her abode.
On lovely autumn day, little more
than year after she had taken pos
session of her home, she formed one of |
a merry riding party, who, by her in |
were TO stop at her house and |
partake of refreshments before dispers- /
ing to their several homes.
As they rode up to the gate q sudden /
whim seized Jacinth, who was daring /
Before we dismount," said she, az |
mean TO ride out into the field and leap
the dark revine. As many as will vent
nre TO take the leap with me, come
along"
Her friends, with thrill of horror at
Lhe remembrance Of what had occurred
here, tried TO dissuade her from this
,aprice; but in vain.
Gaily, immovable, she sat there on
ner snow white horse, her blue eyes
shining, her cheeks glowing pink with
he exercise and animation, her parted,
smiling lips showing her firm, white
.eeth, and listened carelsssly to their
entreaties.
Those who are afraid to take the
cap need not try;" said she. ~ am
sure Agamemnon can take it-can't
rou, Menu" she added, caressing her
Iorse's silver name.
Though the leap was really not Q
'rodigious one, only two gentlemen
who were well mounted would agree
% take it with herr but ths whole party
ode out into the field TO witness the
performance of the feat.
Jacinth's horse, being feet and
powerful one, was in the lead when the
avine was reached, and was Just pre-
'aring Ia make the leap when a toad,
which had been pcrrhed on the margin
# the rsvine, suddenly hoped out IN
ront OF him, and, startling him, caused
lin TO make a false plunge, and Q
later horse and rider were lying
4 the bottom of the dark ravine, on the
xact spot on which DR.. Ptempscho
lad met death little more than two
ears before.
The gentleman Of the party i'm
nediatly set about rescuing Miss
who was drawn from the
avine in an apparently lifeless condi-
ion.
The horse, which was drawn out
ater, sustained no greater injury than
roken leg.
Jacinth was carried to the house and |
physician was summoned, who, after
the patient, shook his head,
aging that life seemed to be quiet eK.
met; but Jacinth's grandmother in
lored that an attempt be made TO re-
use tate her.
At last, after the application Of all
nown restoratives, the blue eyes op-
ned and looked slowly around the