Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1899-12-12
NEW SERIES, VOL. XXXIv, No. SO.

streaming down her beautiful face,
she looked toward the cross into the
now wild night. As she did so a
screeehing clap of thunder broke forth,
and the lightning rent the heavens,
dartiug about the sacred cross, illumi-
mating it as it stood against the sky.
Horror struck itself deep into the giTls
soul. She fell to the floor, then hastily
arose and started out into the fierce
night. She must find her Leon. He
must forgive her for her wicked words
against him.
Again the sudden outburst of music
interrupted us. Many scnoritas passed
by, and one smilingly bowed to my
companion from behind her fan. He
arose and responded profusely. The
last sweet strain of the trio was lost.
and as it died away it seemed to be
absorbed by the moon illumined en-
sign. The senior continued:
"On she went, Fastening toward the
monumental cross. y mountain lion
snarled dismally in the distance. He.
too, had been caught in the storm.
Half paralyzed with fear, CROPPING her
way in the darkness, she fell over an
obstacle washed into the path by the
rain. For n moment she lay where
she fell and breathed prayer. Santa
Maria, protect my Leon and forgive
me-forgive me- Something crawled
over her feet as she lay there. 1t was
snake disturbed by the torrents OF
water. She jumped up screaming. and
as she did so the lightning played
about the cross, Illuminating again and
again it's every point. Just above 1t
she thought she saw n dove lowering
and hehrd its dismal mourn piercing
the wildness of the night. Still the
storm continued, venting its fury in
the wild mountains.
'When Leon had left Jesita's home.
he had passed the cross and FASTENED
over the mountain into the valley be-
low. Not finding the cattle and see
ing the storm brewing, he started to
return, but before he reached home
the storm broke forth with terrific
violence. At each burst of thunder
his heart was relieved. The lightning
quieted his spirits. willie the furious
winds breathed bafiled relief in his
ear At last he reached the summit
of the mountain near the cross. when
n flash of lightning Illuminated the be
nighted darkness, displaying n horri.
bic sight to Icons view. for there ON
the stones at the foot of the cross was
the figure of woman lying. her hands
about the base of the rough wooden
emblem. He rushed forward as fast
as he could in the darkness. There
was a sudden lulI in the storm, the
quietude of which was oppressive. AS
he advanced his heart beats resound-
ed in his ears. Again the lightning
made vivid the black clouds. His
blood writhed in his veins, for he stood
before the cross. There lay the pros
trate figure embracing the great rough
crucifiX. 1t was Jesita.
Me CaritaH lie calculated, rushing
toward the detected girl. Violently
sobbing she looked up He could see
her ashy face by the light of the
flashes.
Leon! oh, forgive me-forgive mer
she sobbed, loosening one hand and
reaching toward him.
Let us go from here, Carita.' he
said sadly. Assisting her to her feet,
they started down the mountain side
toward the girls home. The roll of
thunder gradually distanced itself.
then grew less and less; the wind
sobbed less dismally, and the lightning
seemed but to furnish the two light
for their pathway"
The relator hesitated. Then pointing
to the cross he continued: Leon and
Jesita were married by the good Fa-
ther Moreno under this same cross on
a holy Sunday years ago and lived
happily and long in yon valley"
After moments silence l asked,
How do you know the story so well,
senor?"
"Jesita is my mother" he answered.
'and Leon, my father, leads this
band."-St. Louis Star.