Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1874-04-16
LEoNE'S ROMANCE.

L
Was when you learned trade.
LEoNE'S ROMANCE.
"Mark my words, Leone, your bear
ideal you'll never find; your estimate
of men is too high"
"No, Arthur it is but great estimate
and you have no right to judge me
harshly, because would not throw my
life away upon some society man of to-
day. 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 standard of manhood, a roman
tic schoolgirl admiration of qualities
that few, if any, possess"
Complimentary, very, to your hus-
band, but l wish for my husband
strength either of soul or body, mind
far above the average, and determine
ton and purpose sufficient to raise him
from the level of the human herd :;
mark me, if l never find such one,
will ever remain Leone Lightfoot, an
old maid fond of tea, cats and gossip;
but see Charles has brought my horse
around, so aa reroir.''
The speaker was woman of twenty,
queenly in form, and whose face,
though possessing character beyond her
years stamped thereon, was radiant
with loveliness.
Robed in a dark blue riding habit,
which clung gracefully around her SUI
perb form, and the face half shaded by
the dropping plumes falling from her
jaunty cap, Leone Lightfoet was in
deed what she appeared-a surprising
lovely woman; one who had visitors
by the score, for she was rich as we'll
as 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 at his elegant
country 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 for
tune of worthy bachelor neighbor.
"She is incorrigible; the old Judge
would have made her good husband -
said Arthur Lightfoot to his wife, after
they had seen Leone mount and dash |
away at full speed down the grand av-
enue.
"fes, she'll never marry, 1 fear,"
sighed Mrs. Lightfoot, who always
echoed the sentiment of her husband.
In the meantime Leone rode on at a |
pace that chimed in with her humor, |
and an elegant horsewoman, she held |
her steed we'll in rein, and enjoyed the
springing, fleet, motion as mile after
mile was cast behind.
But suddenly her horse SHE'D violent
and gave a tremendous leap, almost un-
seating his fair rider, who, recovering
herself quickly, spoke soothingly to the
frightened animal, and glanced back
ward to note the object that had so
startled him.
The color fled from her face as her
eyes fell upon the form of man lying |
by the roadside, and apparently lifeless
but nerving herself by hard drawn |
sigh, the brave girl sprang to the ground
and approached the spot, glancing in
tently down into the pale, upturned |
face.
The features were moulded with re-
markable regularity, the partly opened
mouth displayed even white teeth, and
the dark brown hair and mustache pre-
sented a marked contrast to the white |
face, from which every tinge of color |
had faded. Dressed in light summer
suit, Leone even then discovered that it |
was well and stylishly made, while the |
gauntlet gloves and riding whip proved |
that the stranger had been on horse
back.
"He has been thrown, doubtless, but |
God grant he is not dead!" exclaimed |
the maiden as she knelt beside the pros
trate form, and drew aside the coat to |
place her hand upon his heart.
With 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 murder
ed"
"No.,
at was almost a whisper, and the
heavy lids raised from the dark eyes,
eyes filled with anguish, but yet
strangely dark and fascinating.
"Thank God, there is yet hope; be
quiet, sir, 1 implore you, and will aid
you all in my power" exclaimed Leone,
and drawing her habit around her, she
ran rapidly few PAGES down the road
to where it was crossed by a small
stream, and saturating her handker-
chief returned and without hesitation
drew aside the clothing and placed it
upon the wound-a small bullet wound
in the left side over the heart.
"You must keep quiet, and l will
soon RETURN" she said softly, hardly
knowing whether she was heard or not,
and then in an instant she was in her
saddle, dashing at her utmost speed to-
wards the nearest farmhouse.
Dashing like the wind up to the door
and startling quiet Farmer Jessup and
his family nearly out of their wits. Le-
one cried:
"Mr. Jessup, let your son ride at once
to DR.. Wells, and tell him gentleman
lies dangerously hurt on the road near