Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-12-26
,LEONES' ROMANCE.

Mark my words, Leone, your beau ideal
you'll never find your estimate Of man is
too high. ''is,lis 4~3ot] 7.55's ID
No, Arthur, it is but a just estimate,
and YOU have no right to judge me harshly
because Twill not throw my life away up
on some society man Of to-day [ am
young yet, but twenty you know, and there
is time enough yet sgs i4, .r9. .,sH
[ Yes, time enough Leone but l agree
with Arthur that you have too high a
standard of manhood, a romantic school
Girl admiration of qualities that few, if
any, may possess -5ae2 1850 iffi
Complimentary, very, to your husband,
sis but wish for my husband strength
either of soul OF body, mind far above the
average. and determination and purpose
sufficient to raise him from the level OF the
human herd and mark me, it ! never lind
such one,I will ever remain Leone Light
foot, an old maid fond of teas cats and gos-
sips; but I see Charles has brought my
horse around, so on rocoir.l
The speaker was a woman OF twenty,
uueenly in form, and whose face, though
possessing character beyond her years
stamped thereon, was radiant with lowell
ness. H
ROBBED in dark-blue riding habit, which
chung gracefully around her superb form,
and the face half-shaded by the dropping
plumes falling from her jaunty cap, Leone
Lightfoot was indeed what she appeared
a SURPRISING lovely woman +; one who had
visitors by the score, for she was rich as
well as accomplished and beautiful. ts
Three years before she had been left, by
the death Of her parents, under the guar
dianship. of her only brother, some ten
years her senior, and at his elegant coun-
try seat in New York State she had lived,
the idol Of society, and the pet Of Arthur
Lightfoot and his pretty but weak little
wife. &9'tt" tia!} -iH] trA d2 ~ - ~
Between the three, Arthur Lighfoot,
Leone, and Mrs. Lightfoot, was the con-
versation held that opens this story, and
the cause thereof was the refusal by Leone
Of the heart, hand, and fortune OF a wor-
thy bachelor neighbor,
she is incorrigible; the old Judge would
have made her a good husband, " said Al
thur Lightfoot to his wife, after they had
seen Leone mount and dash away at full
speed down the grand avenue.
eyes, she'll never marry, fear, y sigh
ed Mrs Lightfoot, who always echoed the
sentiments Of he husband.
In the meanwhile, Leone, rode on at
pace that chimed in with her humor, and
being an elegant horsewoman, she held her
steed well in rein and enjoyed the spring
ing, fleet motion as mile after mile was
cast behind. sit bi ~
But suddenly her horse SHE'D violently
and gave a tremendous leap, almost I'M
seating his fair rider, who, recovering her
self quickly, spoke soothingly to the frigh-
tened animal, and glanced backward to note
the object that had so startled him.
The color fled from her face as her eyes
fell upon the form of a man lying by the
roadside, and apparently lifeless but
nerving herself by a strong effort, the
brave girl sprang to the ground and ap-
preached the spot, gazing intently into
the pale, upturned face. et.i s.d
The features were moulded with remark
Bile regularity, the party opened mouth
displayed even white teeth, and the dark
brown hair and moustache presented a
marked contrast to the white face from
which every tinge Of color had faded
Dressed in light summer suit, Leone
even then discovered it was well and sty-
lishly made, while the gauntlet gloves and
riding whip proved that the stranger had
been on horseback I'll IT, 2s
She has been thrown, doubtless, but God
grant he is not dead, exclaimed the maid
en-. as she knelt beside the PROSTATE form,
and drew aside the coat to place her hand
upon his heart.
With a cry Of terror she sprang to her
feet, her hand stained with blood, for from
his side a small stream welled up slowly
| HE. is dead, and has been murdered
| NO. dgsa4a ,lU ~, la,ss5ss.
1t was almost whisper, and the heavy
Lids raised from the dark eyes-eyes tiled
with anguish, but yet strangely dark and
fascinating. -, 5.,.,j Ia
THANK God, there. is yet hope ; be qulet
sir, I implore you, and I will aid you all in
nv power, exclaimed Leone, and drawing
1 har habit, around her. she ran rapidly a lew