Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-02-04

taNtioIIS AdSt VEGA, OIlC ZIG
course of Sister Mary Leomca, the
pretty Franciscan nun, who renowned
her vows and eloped with Roland D.
Moore. her wealthy lover, on Saturday;
the other criticising the woman and ex-
Eoriating the man.
During the day 1t became known to
friends and acquaintance that the
couple had arrived in Philadelphia al
an early hour on Saturday morning and
crossed Immediately to Camden, where
an obliging justice of the peace had
Joined them in the bonds of matrimony.
1t was known vaguely that the twain
were even then travelling southwark to
enjoy their honeymoon
Latest developments unraVel a tale OF
more than ordinary romantic interest.
One day, nearly seven years ago,
sweet-faced novice appeared before the
Mother Superior. She had just taken the
VOWS. and was enthusiastic in the cause
Of humanity. She developed remarkable
aptitude for the profession of nurse, ana
was rapidly advanced until she had
charge of the ward to which she was
assigned
@ This was Sister Leonica. named for
the devoted saint of medieval times. She
had been reared in Shamokin. IN the
uCcit I'll lut tOtl TtSlOIl, anu IIdu Dceu
destined for the profession Of teaching.
But her religious enthusiasm caused
her to renounce the world and under
take the auStere and labOriOuS life Of a
Franciscan nun.
''THE BEAUTIFUL NUN
Strikingly handsome. With figure
which not even the somber robe worn
out in the world by the sisters could
render anything but attractive. Sister
Mary Leonica soon became known to
many in Lancaster as the Beautiful
Num-"
Among the leading young men IN the
city was Roland -. Moore, son of the
late DR.. Gaynor Moore and grandson
of the once famous Nj. NJ. Moore,
known far and wi as the Blind Physi-
clan of Lancaster" IN only son, he In
herited a fortune from his father, anc
as heir to his m'iher had a sure pros
pect OF at least doubling mis- wealth
some day.
He was prominent Elk, built a fine
three story block to accommodate his
brethren ana was something OF a poll
tician. Four years ago, when "a years
of age, he ran for mayor of his city
upon an Independent democratic ticker.
and worked so hard in his canvass that
he was laid low with brain fever and
sent for treatment to san.tarium.
From that time Moore's health seemed
to have been shattered.
HEART WON AT SICKBED.
AT all events, he was. shortly after his
release from the sanitarium, sent to st.
JoSeih's from nervous prOstration.
and assigned TO Sister Mary Leonica S
ward. A mutual sympathy appears to
have sprung up between patient and
nurse. for. from the date of his dis
charge Moore was a changed man. h
frequently spoke in rhapsodes of the
nurse, and declared that he would DC
happy if he could induce the sister ia
renOunce her VOWS and accept him as
sutton.
The fact that Moore was a member Of
the Reformed Dutch church and the
sister a member of one of the mos,
rigid orders in the Roman Catholic
church did not seem to be recognized as
an obstacle by the man.
Again and again he fell sick. and a.
ways managed 10 be assigned to a bed
in Sister Mary Leonica's ward. In tim:
the periodiicty Of Moores ailment he.
came so marked that his nearest friends
thrust their tongues into their cheeks
and winked when told that he hao
again gone to the hospital.
Certai nly in shamming Moore was ar
excellent actor and an adept in slmu'
lating the nervous disorder to which he
was supposed to ne a martyr. And a.
this time he was impOrtuning the gen
tie sister to renounce her vows. cas-
aside the habiEments Of the order anC
fly with him.
THE SECRET WE'LL KEPT.
1t is said by Moore's friends that the
nurse withstood these assaults fol
months and months. But she seems
never to have confessed it, for the
Mother Superior nor none of the Sister.
guessed her romance--save only one, {
shy young Sister,, and she held he1
peace.
The last time Moore came from The
hospital he was changed man. lii
greeted his friends with unusua
warmth. and opened champagne for hE
fellow Elks in lodge rooms. 1t wa
whispered about that something wa
going to happen, and two or three of hi
closest friends were told that an elope
ment was planned. But they were dis
greet.
1t is even declared that Moore
mother knew Of the planned elOpement
tain it is that she interposed no reinon
STRANGE.
A sick friend. who lay in Sister Mar.
I.eonica's ward. afforded a pretext 70
Moore's frequent visits during the las
week, and it is said that the plans fo
the elopement We're laid Friday after
noon. At all events the lover drove HI
fast trotter TO a point behind the hos
pital grounds shortly before o'c,ocl
that night. and half an hour later car
ried her to the home of a mutual friend
near his mothers home.
The lowest windows of the hosni!a
are fully l. feet from the ground. tn
first floor being approached by lon
flights of steps. AS in all mOnastic in
stitutions. the rules are rigidly enforced
and none Of the inmates could nav
passed The Sisters ON guard at the bottle
doors at any time of the day. let alon