Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-01-20
LEONE'S ROMANCE.

life away upon some society man of to
day. l am young yet-but twenty, you
know-and there is time enough"
"Yes, time enough, Leone; but
agree with Arthur, that you have toe
high q standard of manhood, q roman.
tic, school girl admiration of qualities
that few, if any, possess"
Complimentary, very, to your hus.
band, sis ; but 1 wish, for my husband,
strength either of body or soul, mind
far above the average, and determine.
tion and purpose sufficient to raise
himself above the level of the common
herd; and, mark me, if 1 never find
such q one, will ever remain Leone
Lightfoot, an old maid, fond of tea,
cats and gossip but I see Charles has
brought my horse around $50 al
reUoir ?"
The speaker was q woman Of twenty,
queenly in form, and whose face,
though possessing character beyond
her years. was radiant with loveliness.
Robed in a dark blue riding habit,
which clung gracefully around her
superb form and the face half shaded
by the dropping plunes falling from
her jaunty cap, Leone Lightfoot was
indeed what she appeared 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 only brother, some
ten years her senior, and at his elegant
country seat she had lived the idol of
society, the pet of Arthur Lightfoot
and his pretty little wife.
Between the ethree-ArthurL Lightfoot,
Leone and Mrs. Lightfoot-was the
conversation 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
avenue.
Eyes, she'll never marry, L fear, |"
sighed Mrs. Lightfoot, who always
echoed the sentiments of her husband.
In the meantime, Leone rode on at a
pace that chimed in with her humor,
J and an elegant horsewoman, she held
her steed we'll in hand, and enjoyed the
springing, feet motion, as mile after
mile was cast behind.
But suddenly her horse SHE'D vio-
lently and gave a tremendous leap,
almost unseating his fair rider, who
h uy1ra w
spoke soothingly to the frightened
animal, and glanced backward to note
the object that had so startled him.
The color fed from her face as her
eyes fell upon the form of q man lying
by the roadside, apparently lifeless ;
but nerving herself by a hard drawn
sigh, the brave girlsprang 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
and the dark brown hair and moustache
presented a marked contrast to the
white face, from which every tinge of
color had faded.-Dressed in q light
summer suit, Leone even then discov-
cred it was well and stylishly made,
while the gauntlet gloves and riding
whip proved that the stranger had been
on horseback.
"He has been thrown, doubtless !;
but God grant he be not dead I" ex-
claimed the maiden, as she knelt beside
the PROSTATE form, and drew aside the
coat to place her hand upon his heart.
With a 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 mur-
dered-"
"No."
1t was almost q whisper, and the
heavy lids raised from the dark eyes
eyes filed with anguish, but yet
strangely dark and fascinating.
Thank God, there is yet hope Be
quiet, sir, / implore you, and l 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 hapdker-
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 perfectly quiet. and
1 will soon return, she said softly,
hardly knowing whether she was heard
or not, and then in an instant she was
in her saddle, hasting at her utmost
speed toward the nearest farm house.
Dashing like wind up to the door, and
startling quiet farmer Jessop and his
family nearly out Of their wits, Leone
cried:
"Mr. Jessop, let your son ride at once
to DR.. Wells, and tell him gentleman
lies dangerously wounded on the road,
near Hillside Spring. Tell him to come
at once and you, Mr.. Jessop, please
come on with your carriage, and bring
all that you think necessary.
Every one in the country knew and
loved Leone Lightfoot, and rapidly her
orders we're obeyed. which observing,
she wheeled her fosming horse and
again sped away on her return to the
wounded stranger.
There he lay, just as she had left
him, but groaning slightly, and each
instant dampening the blood-stained
handkerchief, the heroic girl awaited
the coming of the surgeon.
Would they ever come she thought;
but at length, when it seemed hours
instead of minutes, the sound OF wheels
broke on her ear, and the next instant
the surgeon drove up at o rapid rate.
"You are q noble woman Miss Light
foot. and if this gentleman lives, be
will owe his life to you," said the good
old physician, as he approached and
knelt beside the PROSTATE form.
"But will he live, doctor?"
For some time no answer was given
by the man of science, who carefully
probed and examined the wound, but
then said slowly
"It is serious injury-ha here !
have the ball ! yes, hope he will live
n UaiIo took from the wound q