The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-12-13
Lconc's Romance.

some society man OF tO-uay. anl young
vet, but twenty you know, and there is
time enough yet"
Eyes time enough Leone; but agree
with Arthur that you have too high o stand
ard of, manhood, "a romantic admiration OF
qualities that few, if any, may possess
Complimentary, very, to your husband
sis but l wish for my husband strength
either of soul or body, mind far above 'hc
average, and determination and purposes
sufficient to raise him from the level OF .he
human herd; and mark me, II l never Iihu
such one, | will ever remain Leone Light
foot. an old maid fond of ten cats, and gos-
sip but see Charles has drought NY 'orse
around, so an 1tpou.
TLn sneaker was woman of twenty,
yuccnly in form, and whose face, though
uossnssinr character beyond her years
Slammed thereon, was radiant with lovli-
Eobcd in dark blue riding habit, which
,lunp gracefully to her superb form, and
The face half shaded by the dropping plumes.
falling from her jaunty cap, Leone Light
foot was indeed what she appeared sur
passing lovely woman; one who had vls-
Tors lv the score, for she was rich as well as
beautiful.
Three years before she had been left by
the death of her parents, under the guardian
shin of her only brother, some ten years her
senior, and at his elegant country seat in
New York State she had lived, the idol of
society, and the pet of Arthur Lightioot
and his pretty but weak little wife.
Between the three, Arthur Lightfoot
Leone. and Mrs. Lightfoot was the CONVEX
,ation held that opens this story, and the
cause thereof was the refusal by Leone OF
the heart and hand, and fortune of worthy
cd hatchelor neighbor.
'.Shc is incorrgible tho old Judge would
have made her good husband" said Ar
thur Lighfoot, to his wife, after they had
seen Leone mount and dash away ut full
,pcrd down'thc grand avenue.
40, she'll never marry | fear, sighed
Mrs I.ighttoot who always echoed the sem
iimcntS of her husband.
In the meantime Leone rode ON at II
mace that chimcd in with her humor, and,
an elegant hOrSewoman, she held her stced
,cll in rcin and enjoyed the springng, fleet
motion rs mile after mile was cast behind.
Bnt suddenly her horse SHED violently
and gave a tremendous leap, almost unscat-
me- his fair rider, who recovering herself
quickly. spoke soothingly to the. frightened
animal and glanced backward to note the
object that had so started him.
The color fled from her face as her eyes
fell upon the form of Il man lying by the
roadside, and apparently ltelcss; but nerv-
ing hcrselfby hard-drawn sigh, the brave
rirl sprang to the ground and approached
the spot CHANGING intcnty down into the
pale upturned face.
The features were moulded with remark
able regularity, and partly opened mouth
dspayed even white teeth and the dark
brown hair and moustache presented q
marked contrast to the white face, from
which every tinge of color had faded
Dressed in light summer suit, Leone ever
then discovered it was well and stylishly
made, while the gauntlet gloves and riding
whip proved that the stranger had boon OF
horseback.
'IIe has been thrown doubtless, but Goo
grant he is not dcad,' exclaimed the maid
en-, as she knelt beside the PROSTATE form
and drew aside the coat to place her hanC
upon his heart.
With cry of terror She sprang to hei
feet, her hand stained with blood, for from
his side small stream welled up slowly
''Hc is dead, and has been murdered
NO"
1t was almost a whisper, and the heav.
lids raised from the dark cyes-cyes file
with anguish but yet strangely dark an
fascinating.
"Thank God, there is yet hope be quiet
sir, implore you, and will aid you all il
my power" exclaimed Leone, and DRAWN
her habit around her, she ran rapidly fey
PAGES down theroad to where it was crosse
by small stream, and saturating her hand
kerchiei, returned, and, without hesitation
drew aside the clothing. and placed it upo
the wOund-a small bullet wound in the LET
side over the heart.
'You must keep perfectly quiet, and
will soon return" she said softly, hardl
knowing whether she was hurt or not, an
then i'll an instant she was in her saddle
dashing at her utmost speed towards tn
nearest farm house.
Dashing like the wind up to the doo
and startling quiet Farmer Jessop and h
family near out OF their wins, Leone cried
'Mr. Jessop, let your son ride at once t
DR.. Wells, and tell him gentleman liz
dangerously wounded on the road nes
Hillside Spring. tell him to come there
once, and you, Mr.. Jessop, please. come a
with your carriage, and bring all that yo
think necessary"
Every one in the country knew and love
Leone Lightfoot, and rapidly her order
were obeyed, which observing, she wheele
her toaming horse, and again sped ava
upon her return to the wounded strange
There he lay just as she had left him, bl
groaning slightly, and .each instant damper
ing the blood-stained handkerchief. I'll
girl awaited the coming of the surgeon,
Would they ever come! she thought
but at length, when it seemed hours instea
of minutes. the sound of wheels broke c
her ear, and the next instant the surgeC
drove up at rapid pace.
You are noble woman, Miss Ligli
foot, and if this man lives he owes his Ii
to YOU" said the good old physician, as
approached and knelt beside the prostra
form.
'But will he live, Doctor?"
For some minutes no reply was given
the man of science, who carefully prob
and examined the wound, but then he sa
slowly;
tits serious iniury-ha! here l ha
the ball; yes, hope he will lives" and u
Wells took from the wound small bullt
while he continued:
''Now he needs the most careful nun
ing"
'IIc shall have it. Thand God, he
comes Mr.. Jessop," and Immediately aft
the carriage drove up, and telling the do
tor to come on with the wounded strang
TO her brothers house, Leone again moul
cd her horse and rode on to have all
readiness for his arrival.
1t was weeks before the stranger was 81
fciently recovered to tell his story regai
ing the wound that had so nearly prov
fatal to him, and then by careful nursir
he informed Leone, who had been untiri
in her devoted care of him, that his MAJ
vas Clarence Ainslie-was an Englishms
who nearly year before had come
america. and purchasing few acres
land in the West made it his home.
He also stated that business had cal
him to New York, and that while enjoy
horseback ridc he had been suddenly fiji
upon, thrown to the ground, and had
indstinct remembrance that some one v
robbing him, tor his watch pocket-bo'
and all valuablcs he had about him W,
gone
That Clarence Ainslie was no ordini
man Leone IightfoOt knew when she fl