The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-03-02
LRoNE,s ROMANCE.

LE0NE'S ROMANCE.
Mark my words, Leone, your beau
ideal you'll never find; your estimate
ofmen is too high"
mo, Arthur, L is buts . great esti.
mate, and you have no right to Judge
me harshly, because i would not throw
my life away upon some society man Of
to-day. / am young yet, but twenty,
you know, AID there is time enough
YETI .4s
"Yes, time enough, Leone; but /
agree with Arthur that you have too
high n standard OF manhood, n roman.
tic school girl admiration Of qualities
that few, II any men, possess.
" Complimentary, very, to your hus.
band; but 1 wish for my husband
strength either Of soul or body, mind
far above the average, and determina-
tion and purpose sufficient to rise him
from the level Of the human herd mark
me, II never find such a one, 1 will
ever remain Leone Lightioot, an old
maid fond ofte cats ond gossip; but
/ SEQ Charles has brought my horse
around, 80 au rcvoir."
Tho speaker was o woman Of twenty,
aueenlyi form, and whose face, though
pogsessing character beyond her years
stamped thereon, was radiant with love-
liness. .lif.
ROBBED in dark-blue riding habit,
which clung gracefully around her su-
perb form, and the face half shaded by
the dropping plumes falling from her
jaunty cap, Leone Lightfoot was in.
deed what she appeared-a surprising
lovely woman; one who had visitors by
the score, for she was rich as well rs
accomplished and beautiful.
Three years before she had been left,
by the death OF her parents, under the
Guardianship OF her brother, some ten
Years her senior, and ut his elegant
country seat in New York State she had
lived, the idol Of society and the pet
Of Arthur Iightfoot aud his pretty but
weak little wife. J .,s.
Between the three, Arthur Iightfoot,
Leone and Mrs. Lightfoot. was the con.
yersation held that opens this story, and
the cause thereof was the refusal by
Leone Of the heart, hand and fortune OF
worthy bachelor neighbor.
ashe Is incorrigible; the old judge
would have made her good husband, !"
said Arthur Eightfoot to his wife, after
4 they had seen Leone mount and dash
away at full speed down tho grand
GYes, she'll never marry, fear, Z"
,;,hod Mrs Iiphtfoot. who always
echoed the sentiment Of her husband.
In the meantime Leone rode on at a
pacs that chimed in with her humor,
ard an elegant horsewoman, !she held
her steed well in rein,i and enjoyed the
springing, feet motion as mile alter mile
was cast behind.
But suddenly her horse shied yioo-
lently and gave o tremendous leap, al
most unseating his fair rider, who, re.
covering herself qusckly. spoke sooth;;
inely 70 the frightened animal, and
glanced backward TO note the object
that had so startled him. 4,g ll, a
The color fed from her face as her
eyes fell upon the form OF q man lying
by the roadside, and apparently liieless;
but neryine herself by hard.drawn
sigh the brave girl sprang to the ground
and approached the spot, glaneing IN
tently down into thepale, upturned face.
The features were nodded with re.
markable regularity, the partly opened
mouth displayed even white teeth, and
The dark brown hair and mustaehe pre-
sented marked contrast to the white
face, from which every tinge Of color
mad faded. Dressed in n light SIMMER
suit. Leone even then discovered. that
Il was we'll md stylishly made, while
the gauntlet gloves aud riding whip
proved that the stranger had been on
AsfH .sHelas been thrown, doubtless, but
God grant he is mot dead y exclaimed
fhe maiden rs she knelt beside the
nrostrate form, and drew aside the coat
Ia Mace her hand upon his heart.
with a CRY Of terror she sprang 70 her
feet, her hand stained with blood, Tor
from his side q small stream welled up
slowly. 7 Z,
''He is dead, and hasbeen murdered
- sslfflfU e4ffs .eil inln4
aNo.r ss ae
at was almost n whisper, and the
heavy lids raised from the dark eyes
eyes iillcd wilhanguish, but yet etstrange-
" dark mud fasinating. 4,
"Thank God, there Is yet hope ps
quiet, sir, 1 implore you, and i VIII aio
you all In my power, exclaimed Leone
and drawing her habit arotind her, 81!