The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-12-20

not AL IDb luubIhl HlulooiiI Wv 49,
anything about Miss l.eda, could give the
address of the late Mr. Morrlsons Jaw
yer. and knew that thesurviving brother
and his son we're travelling,
At the lawyer'sthe news was crushing
Mr.. Morrison had died without a VIII,
and the entire property had passed INTO
the hands Of the heir at law
"He was superstitious," the old lawyer
said, "fancying IL would h ,sten his death
to make will, Foolish? Well yes, Dut
not uncommon. Miss Leda came nome
with the lady and remained a week; but
I do not know what became OF her then.
The brother was very unkind, one might
say brutal, for he had been jealous OF her
for years, and understood very well that
il was only because OF his brothers neg
lect that she was left penniess instead OF
inherring most Of the estate, II hear
of her will let you know, certainly
But thirteen weary long years passed
by. and no word of Leda reached the
fsi hful heart waiting and hoping to have
long looked for tidings No oCher fair
face ever took the place in Herberts
heart that Lada's face filed. No other
love ever drove out this one strong love
of his life; and when he looked upon the
parting gift of his darling, ever throb OF
his heart was as truly hers as lit had oeeh
when he bade her farewell, and tenderlY
kissed away her falling tears.
Ii was many minutes before he could
control his agitation sufficiently to open.
the letter. 1t was postmarked LONDON
and the date was previous to that OF Mr.
Morrison's funeral,
When he opened and read it, tears,
that we're no shame to Herbert Paynes
manhood, coursed down his cheeks. In
humble words Leda told him the story
already familiar to him. and her own
penniless condition.
"Y III may not care to claim a wife
who knows nothing Of her BIRTH she
wrote, "who now stands utterly alone a
beggar. But if, as my heart will whisper
hopefully, you still love me, yor will lind
me here a week longer. II you do not
come | shall know you despise me for
my involuntary deceit, and | shall ac,
celt position offered me by an old
friend as a governess to her children"
my darling, my forsaken darling"
Herbert whispered, where are you? Sor'
rowing for your wasted love? Despising
your lover, who deserted you in sorrow
and loneliness! 1t is too bitter!' o.,
But calmer thoughts came at last and
after long deiberation, Herbert deci'
ded upon one more effort to gain tidings
of his lost love. In every large city for
one week one leading newspaper con-
tained this advertisement:
LEDA-The letter written thirteen years
ago has Just reached me. Write again.
H.
Waiting endured for so many years
became torture after this notice appear
ed, and once again Herbert Payne resign
ed himself to Il future uncheered by low
ing companionship.
Had he possessed the power OF Asmo,-
deus, he might have flown rthe broad
Atlantic to home in Paris, where
sweet faced woman, lovlier in her gentle
maturity than ever in her glrlish bloom,
was teaching class Of girls the hard
words of the English language.
Accepting the position offered her by
her friend, and refusing the assistance
offered her grudgingly by her adopted
fathers brother, Leda Morrison had
with the children under her
charge for nearly six years. Then find
ing herself in Paris, and able to gather
class of pupils for English, she had deci-
ded not to return to her old home, earn
ing more than sufficient for her humble
wants in her new vocation.
1t was some weeks after the discovery
of the long lost letter, and the class OF
girls were improving their English ac-
cent by reading from newspaper, when
one slowly and hesitatingly read:
LRDA-The letter written thirteen
years ago has just reached me. Write
again. d.
ling, was eagerly scanning the lines.
Leda! 1t was an odd name. Could there
be another Leda who he risked her
whole life's happiness thirteen years be-
fore in letter TO H2 Were there two
Herberts? If should be!
The young ladies wondered at the per,
feet impunity with which they murdered
the English language during the remain
der of the class hour; but none guessed
the tumult of hope and fear in the heart
of their pale, gentle teacher. None saw
her when she was at last alone, write a
few words only:
Leda is Leda still, and will be glad to
see you.
The morning after the receipt Of the
note Herbert was on his way to Paris,
where he met Leda, and after short
courtship they were united in marriage.
All the love of their hearts is now Law.
ished upon Leda, a little cherry checked
cherub two years old.