Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-12-10
LEONE'S ROMANCE.

Mark my words, Leone, your beau
deal you'll never find; your estimate of q
nan is too high
NO, Arthur, it is but a great estimate,
and you have no right to judge me harsh
ly, because I will not throw my life away
upon some society man of to-day. l am
young yet, but twenty you know, and
there is time enough yet"
&" Yes, time enough, Leone; but agree
with Arthur that you have too high a
standard of manhood, a romantic school
girl admiration Of qualities that few, il
any, may possess
Complimentary, very. to your hus-
band, sis; but l wish for my husband
strength either Of soul or body, or mind far
above the average, and determination and
purpose sufficient 10 raise him from the
'evel Of the human herd; and mark me.
il I never find such a 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 al rccOir."
The speaker was a woman of twenty,
u".enly in form, and whose face, though
possessing character beyond her years
stamped thereon, was radiant with lowell
ness.
ROBBED in dark blue riding habit, which
clung 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 end beautiful.
Three years before she had been left, by
abe death of her parents, under the guard
ianship 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.
Between the three, Arthur Lightfoot,
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 neghbor.
" She is incorrgiDle; the old Judge
v70 nd have made her a good husband
,qsjd Arthur Lightfoot 10 his wife, after
,hev had seen Leone mount and dash
o-ysv n, full speed down the grand avenue.
IVES she'll never marry, fear" sigh
cd Mrs. II ghtfoot, who always echoed the
sentiments f her husband.
IN the n,ea ptime, Leone rode on at a
mace that chin Ted in with her humor,
and an elegant orsewoman, size held her
steed well in rein, ana enjoyed the spring
.ng, fleet motion as HH'Ie ai'ef mile was
east behind. -,
md gave a Tremendous leap, almost UNI
seating his fair rider, who, covering her-
self quickly, spoke soothh Siy TO the
frightened animal, and glapes- BACKWARD !i u
20 note the object thar hac s. startled
Kid,
The color fed from h.s fsas slast eyes
fell upon the form Of i'ian lyin6' Py Inc
roadside, and apparently Weless ; va :
nerving herself by hard-draN1 sigh, The
brave girl sprang 10 the gTounc snd ao-
preached the spot, glancing intenuJ down
INTO the pale, upturned face
The features were moulded with remark
&sle regularity, the partly opened mouth
displayed even white teeth, and the dark
brown hair and mOustacne presented
marked contrast 10 the white face from
g2tlct every Nnge o. cclo- aGf faded.