Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-10-19
TWICE WOUNDED.

Of Mexico, and at this period occur
red the incident which. with regard 70
myself, came near terminating fatal Y.
A day or two after my arrival in
Mexico I strolled out one evening and,
half unconsciously. took my way to-
ward one OF those cool, shady walks
occasionally to be net with on the out
skirts Of the city.
As I paced slowly on toward a part
Of the walk where the trees grew clos
er, forming a little grove, I suddenly
became conscious of the presence of
two persons a few steps in advance of
me.
The persons 1 had just discovered
were a gentleman and lady. On observ-
ing this fact I was relieved OF a mo-
mentary fear Of being set upon by
desperadoes; I presently found my
couple to be a pair Of lovers, enjoying
n stolen interview in the little grove,
which I had nearly reached, but check
cd myself in time TO prevent discOy-
cry just then, though 1 did not long
avert It.
The first words I heard were spoken
by the gentleman.
Fly with me tonight, dearest,
entrcat; give mo the right to protecr
you from the wilcs Of Don Pedro. Only
as my wife can I save you from the
prosecutions of him and his cowardIy
son"
L know il, dear Manuel" replied tht
maiden, whose soft, sweet voice quiv-
cred as If in deadly terror. TT was
only this morning 1 overheard q con-
versation which fully apprised me Of
the great power placed in the hands
Of my uncle and guardian. Don Pedro
de SaltillO. a power over me which
now he proposes TO share with his
treacheTous son, Garcia"
'How?" abruptly inquired the cav
alisr.
Dearest Manuel. my guardian has
tried every means short of personal
violence TO inveigle me into a mar
riage with Garcia. have heard them
plotting TO secure me at night and car
~ me to a deserted ranch at 8 distance
frpm the city and there, by the help
of u vicious priest, unite me to Gar
cia.
IF I marry without Don Pedro's
consent my estates revert to him. I
succeeded in escaping tonight. and
came here knowing that I should meet
you, who would rescue me from my
peril. but you will take to your heart
a dowerIess bride, dear Manuel"
Fear not, Isabelle said her lover
There is but one course to take-come
with me 70 my kind old tutor priest.
Our marriage shall be performed at
once, and then Don Pedro and Garcia
cannot molast you unless they pass
over my lifeless body"
"Hls-"' Whispered the lady, as IN my
bluuderinE l broke a dry twig, causing
a slight rrlsJling among the shrubbery.
The next moment I felt myself grasp
ed tightly by the throat, while a sharp,
stlnging sensation told me that I had
been stabbed. I made an Intellectual
struggle. but soon sank into unconscl-
Gus ness.
When I awoke to consciousness 1 was
lying in a bed IN a luxuriously furnish
cd apartment, while beside me sat
venerable looking old man in the garb
Of a priest.
where am r. was my first question,
as l notoned feebly toward a pitcher
Of water on the stand near by.
He pressed a goblet brimming with
the pure, icy liquid TO my lips.
The old msn's face inspired usa with
confidence. and / told him the whole
story.
ETo a+arta9 oD1 Ioo1yad ~ mn l,aopI--
as l mentioned the names Of the lovers
and Donna IsabaIie's unworthy guar
dian.
"And. now, holy father, tel me where
am" asked again. as I finished my
story.
The old priest looked at me steadily
few minutes and then asked:
"Canst thou keep q secret, my 81 n?
One Of importance to these young iov-
ers? Thou art now in the house of
Don Manuel de Monza, who, in his
rashness. nearly slew thee as an ennis
sary of Don Pedro de SaItiIlo. Donna
Isabelle cnTeated that some one should
look after the body as soon as posi-
BILE, for she dreaded lest it should be
discovered in the grove and her flight
become known before she could make
good her escape.
Il committed thee to the care of Don
na Julia. my dear ManueTs only sister.
Since thou has acquitted thyself of all
completely with Don Pedro thy treat
ment snail be that Of an huuorsd
guest"
The priest told me of the union and
flight Of the lovers, imploring me to
keep secret my adventure in the walk
and grove, as my story might afford
hiding place.
Late IN the day l sank into a pro
found slumber. which lasted until the
next morning. Father Ingatius soon
came TO me- and after bathing and
dressing my wound-he was an expert
surgeon-he told me that Donna Julia
would call on me to apologize for her
brothers mistake. and to ascertain If
I was carefully nursed.
Donna Julia soon entered, accom-
panied by her duenna. 1 started with
surprise and delight as a beautiful girl
of about Il years entered the room
and greeted me as "Senor Americana"
in the sOfrest and sweetest Of tones.
Donna Julia made many apologies
for the brothers. almost fatal mistake
Don Manuel de Monza had fed to his
ranch with Isabelle, who dared not re-
main with Julia lest she should be kid
n2ped by Don Pedro during her hus-
bands absence. Don Manuel was col
lectiHg a sufficient number Of servants