The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-26

| bull slayer. entered the arena sword In
| hand. She was q dark-haired. black
| eyed woman about twenty-seven years
| OF age. and her tight-fitting dress, low
lnecked and short-skirted, displayed
| finely developed athletic figure. As she
approached the royal box to give her
salute, Murilios gaze became fixed and
fascinated. Can IL be she?' he muir
INJURED. Can Ii be the poor flower girl
Leona? Nay, nay. This woman has no
bountiful curves about her lips, no sor-
rowful softness in her eye, no tender ex-
preston at all. / was mistaken" And
he recomposed himself.
Nevertheless Leona 1t was. Leona Ia
horera of ten years back, Leona la torera
now. The terrible blow which had swept
the life out of Mequinez had swept from
her the freshness and bloom of youth and
beauty. The mouth had Strengthened,
the eyes had hardened, the jaw had
grown decidedly square. Still she was
a handsome woman. Still she was be-
loved OF Vicente. How she became a
torera is a long story. but was mainly
Que to the efforts OF some Of her rela-
tiyes who were picadores. Suffice 1t 70
say that when Vicente returned to Sc
vile many years after his flight he found
Leona already following his perilous pro-
fession. Time had not changed his feel
ing toward her; in fact, he more
devoted than ever. Leona did -buff
the slayer of her lover nor was ime
ever mentioned between thel but,
strange to say, she kept him dally1.lg at
her side. though at arms length. What
she meant none could tell, least OF all
he; and so Vicente. that he might be al.
ways near her. turned banderillero.
Scarcely had the torera saluted the
king than the bull, which had recovered
its breath, suddenly sent the unsuspect-
ing tOreadores flying for their lives.
"a nf Caf nY1 RI
however. and dragged him to the ground,
where he lay quiet for a few moments.
Meanwhile Leona, on the opposite side
OF the arena, was talking with Vicente.
Her shining eyes were particularly rest
less to-day, but that did not prevent
them from wearing the expression of a
fixed purpose. CHANGING to look across
the circus at the bull she found that the
brute was ominously eying herself, whose
bright attire was very conspicuous.
With a gigantic effort he suddenly
bounded out Of the grip Of his captors
and made straight for the white dress.
AT this moment Vicente was peculiarly
interested in a reply he was waiting for
from Leona's lips.
All at once Leona staggered backward.
Vicente she cried, Vicente. hold me
or / fall"
Vicente was close at her side in an
instant and supporting her with his
iHuoCuidI dt Tic SdiIc tlIuc iOokiuS
with an alarmed expression into her
face.
She, reclining thus, through her long
black half closed lashes watched the
swift Oncome of the bull. He, mindful
Of her alone, with wide anxious eyes,
saw only the pallor of her countenance.
'Tis bitter thing to die young. vi
cente, bitter thing" she murmured
quietly, yet clearly, with the breath
struggling to her lips. "a bitterer thing
The whole ten thousand people were
shouting a warning to the unconscious
couple. OF a sudden Leona, still gazing
steadily through the half closed lashes,
dextrously twisted herself out Of VII
centes arms. The next moment, the ter
rible horns piercing the body Of the
brave banderillero, the bull rushed mad
ly on and crushed his bleeding body
against the barrier. Leona bounded up
to the brute's side, and with a superb
thrust drove her sword into his shoulder
up to the hilt. The beast and his victim
were both dead.
Leona stood with tight clasped fingers
needless Of everything. She was looking
keenly back through vista Of dreary
years. She saw only the perishing agony
and heard only the heart-breaking death
sob of poor Mequinez. With these
thoughts about her she stood as though
in trance, blind to the flowers that ten
thousand hands were flinging at her
feet, deaf to the efforts Of ten thousand
threats which were making the whole
atmosphere palpitate with the cry Of
'Brava torera.' 90
C b. O'Halloran, in Temple Bar.