Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1873-12-11
LEONE'S ROMANCE.

"Mark my words. Leone. your Lea,
ideal you'll never Gnd; your estimate Of a
man is too high"
''No. Arthur. !. !. but a great estimate,
and you have n" right TO Judge me harsh.
ly. because | will DO, throw my life away
upon some society man Of the day am
young yet. but twenty you know. aud
there is time enough yet "
.' Yes. time enough. Leone; but agree
with Arthur that you have too high a
standard Of manhood. n romantic school
GIL admiration Of qualities tba, few. il
any. may possess "
Complimentary. very. to your hus.
bend. sic; but | wish for my husband
strength either Of soul or body. mind far
above the average. and determination and
purpose sufficient to raise him from the
level Of the human herd; and mark me.
il never find such one. | will ever re.
main Leone Lightfoot. an old maid fond
Of tea. cats and gossip; but | see Charles
has brought my horse around, so au re.
voir."
The speaker was Q woman Of twenty,
queenly in form. aud whose face, though
possessing character beyond her years
stamped thereon, was radiant with lowell
ness. I'm
Robed in dark blue riding habit which
clung gracefully around her superb form.
aud the free balf shaded BY the dropping
rlumes falling from her jaunty cap Lee
one Lightfoot was indeed what she ap-
pcnrcd-a surprising lovely woman: one
Who had visitors by the score. for she vas
rich as we'll ~ accomplished and beauti-
ful.
Three years before she had been left.
By the death Of her parents. under the
guardianship Of nor only brother. some
ten wears her senior. and ut his elegant
country seat in New York State she had
lived, the idol Of society. aud the pet OF
Arthur Lightfoo. and his pretty bu. weak
little wife.
Between the three. Arthur Lightfoot.
Leone and Mrs. Lightfoo.. was the con-
versa,ion held that opens this story. and
the cause .hereof was the refusal by Leone
of the heart, hand and fortune Of q wor.
thy bachelor neighbor,
..She is iucorrigibie; the old Judge
would have made her q good husband. y
said Arthur Lightfoot to his wife. afte,
they had seen Leone mount and dash away
a full speed down the grand avenue.
"Yer. she'iin never marry. fear. sighed
Mrs. Lightfoot, who always echoed the
sentiments Of her husband.
In the meantime. Leone rode on at {
mace that chimed in with her humor. and
an elegant borsewoman. she held her steeG
we'll in rein. aud enjoyed the springing
feet motion. NJ mile after mile was cas-
behind.
But suddenly the horse SHE'D violcnt',
and gave . tremendous leap. almost un'
seating his fair rider. who recovering her
self quickly. spoke soo,hingly te he fright
eued animal. and glanced backward e
note the object that had So startled him
The color fed from her lace as her cye'
fell upon the form Of = man lying BY ,h,
roadside. aud apparently liteless; but ncrv
ing herself by a hard.drawn sigh. .th,
brave girl sprang to the ground aud ap
preached the spot. glaucing intcntly dowi
into the pale, uptuTned face
The features were nodded With remark
able regularity, the partly Opened -moutl
displayed even white teeth. aud the darl
brown hair aud mastaehe presented
marked contrast to the white face. frct
which every tinge Of color had faded =
Dressed in light summer suit. Leoa
even then discovered it was well and sty
lishiy made. while the gauntlet gloves an
riding whip proved that the stranger ha
been on horseback. ..
HE has been thrown. doubtless. b.
God grant he be not dead" exclaimed tl
maiden, ~ she knelt beside the prostra'
form, ard drew aside the coat 10 place b,
hand upon bis heart.
With cry Of terror che sprang to b,
feet, her hand stained With blood. &
from his side snall stream welled y
slowly. sep "a
lie is dead. aud has been nardsrsd-
No. -, -
l, vas simc.. . vhisper. ana The hca,
lids raised from ths DARK . syes-eyes 6lls
' With anguish. bat jet strangely dark 81
fascinating.
Thank God. there is yes hcpe; b qu
q. sif. inplore zoe. and I viii cid ,,
all In M power. exclaimed Leone. q
drawing her habia sroand her. shs n
rapidly . few PAGES down the road whe
Il vas crossed By small stream. and q
wrasius her handksrchief fetusaed. u
without hesitation drew aside the cleshiI
sad placed il upon the Wounds sm'
ballet wound 10 the leis side ever I
heart. ttag ss4- ssas-sr 4. Ezl