The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-06-06
Select Storg.
LE0NE'S ROMANCE.

Mark my words, Leone, your beau
deal you'll never find ; your estimate of a
sman is too high"
No, Arthur, it is but great estimate,
aud you have no right to judge me harsh.
ly, because 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
sith Arthur that you have too high a stand.
afd Of manhood a romantic school girls
admiration of qualities that few if any,
may possess.
Complimentary, very, to your husband,
si$; but l wish for my husband strength
aither OF soul or body, mind far above the
aserage, and determination and purpose
sliihcient to raise him from the level Of the
haman herd and mark me, if I never
Ind such one, | will ever remain Leone
Eightfoot, an old maid, fond of tea, cats
md gossip but | see Charles has brought
NJ horse around, so au revoir."
The speaker was woman of twenty,
auee1ly in form, and whose face, though
assessing character beyond her years
<iampcd thereon, was radiant with lowell.
kess.
Robed in dark blue riding habit which
hung gracefully around her superb form,
md the face half shaded by the dropping
plumes falling from her jaunty cap, Leone
LightfoOt was indeed what she appeared
i SURPRISING lovely woman; one who had
visitors by the score, for she was rich as
veil as accomplished and beautiful.
Three years before, she had been left, BY
he death of her parents, under the guar
dianship of her only brother, some ten
fears her senior, and at his elegant coun.
~ seat in New York State she had lived
he idol of society, and the pet of Arthur
Lightfoot and his pretty but weak little
xife.
Between the three, Arthur Lightfoot,
conc, and MB. Lightfoot, was the con-
ysrsation held that opens this story, and
re cause thereof was the refusal by Le-
one Of the heart, hand, and fortune Of a
Horthy bachelor neighbor
" She is incorrigible the old Judge
~ould have made her good husband" I"
lid Arthur Lightfoot to his wife, after
ley had seen Leone mount and dash away
4 full speed down the grand avenue.
4 Yes, she'll never marry, fear, sighed
Ars. Lightfoot, who always echoed the
ailments Of her husband.
In the meantime, Leone rode on at a
pace that chimed in with her humor, and
~ elegant horsewoman, she held her
iced well in rein, and enjoyed the spring
ing, feet motion, as mile after mile was
east behind.
But suddenly her horse SHE'D violently
and gave tremendous leap, almost un-
eeating his fair rider, who, recovering her
eli quickly, spoke soothingly to the fright
med animal, and glanced backward to note
The object that had so startled him.
The color fed from her face as her eyes
lsll upon the form of man lying by the
foadside, and apparently lifelcss but nerv-
ing herself by a hard-drawn sigh, the brave
girl sprang to the ground and approached
the spot, glancing intently down into the
pale, upturned face.
The features were nodded with remark
able regularity, the partly-opened mouth
displayed even, white teeth, and the dark
brown hair and mustachc presented mark
ed 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 stylishly made,
while the gauntlet gloves aud riding-whip
proved that the stranger had bee on horse
back.
He has been thrown, doubtless, but
God grant he be not dead, exclaimed the
maiden, as she knelt beside the PROSTATE
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
bis side small stream welled up slowly.
I" He is dead, and has been murdered
"No.n
II was almost whisper, aud tho heavy
lids raised from the dark eycs--eyes filled
with anguish, but yet strangely dark and
fascinating.
Thank God, there is yet hope; be quiet
SIR, implore you, and | will aid you all