Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-03-29

When |, too, exercised my own right OF
choice, Uncle Frank tried to recall Elten,
but all his advertisements were in vain.
have told Mr.. Wilson, tho lawyer who
had charge Of all my business, to Try
again to find my cousin"
And until he comes, you are pris-
oner at Eltonglade :"
" Only for one year. If he does not
c'me before the fifteenth Of next June, l
am free, and heiress of Eltonglcde ?"
at was an odd whim think, my
dear, your unc,e's eccentrcites verge on
-" and the lady tapped her forehead sig.
nifcantly. but it is very lste-past
one o'clock Goodnight, darling I
am more than glad to be with you again"
The days passed quietly during the
months that followed. Aida packed
away the wedding garments her uncle's
sudden illness and death had rendered
useless for the time, and the letters to
and from Pernambuco became the ex-
element of her very quiet life. But al
though outwardly she was the gentle lit
tie maiden Leon loved, there was in her
heart steadily and surely growing an ever
increasing dread Of Elton Graham's re-
turn. Power was something new and
pleasant in her life, and it was very
delightful to be mistress of this hand
some estate and lsrge income, to spend
as she would, direct and govern entirely
uncontrolled. And above all, to know
that she could give Leon wealth-to re-
main in his own country if he wished
He was not pleased with his exile, al
Though his business looked prosperous.
He disliked the climate, the custom, and
he was impatient for the year to end that
was to decide his future course. The
hope of living on Aida's moaey never
crossed his mind, but he knew if she was
wealthy he could find avenues fer his own
energies nearer home than this strange
Brazilian city.
The year was drawing to close, when
Leon Hartzberg sailed, upon the vessel
owned by the firm employing him, for
New York. Contrary to their custom,
they carried few passengers, and Leon
felt his heart throb painfully when upon
the list ho read "E. Graham and son."
" +. Graham !" he thought. Can i:
be-pshaw as if Graham was not as
common name almost as Smith or
Jones'"
And yet there was a fascination about
the pale, slender man who, with boy of
three years old, came every day upon
deck. He was not a communi icative
person, but there gradually grew up be-
tween the two such intima cy as often oc-
ours where the monotony of ship.life
throws the passengers entirely upon each
others mercy for amusement.
And in confidential hour, Mr.. Ora.
ham told Leon that he was journeying to
Eltonglade to seek reconciliation with
his uncle.
Not for my own sake" he said, sadly,
but for Franks" and he caressed the
curly head upon his bosom. my life's
pilgrimage is almost over but / hope
my uncle will be kind to Frank, and 1T
tic Aida-my cousin, sir will love him."
You are widower, then ?"
Yes. married against my uncle's
will, and his parting curse seemed to
follow mo. My wife lived only four
years, and died in Psrnambuco, OF ma!a-
rious fever. We had been wanderers
from the first, seeking fortune, but never
finding it I! went to my Unce's old
friends, s. & Co., tor employment, and
they sent me to the coffee plantations
that supply their business. You are with
them ?"
"Their manager in the Pernam buco
branch of the business"
" Do you know my uncle ?"
Intimately )" but further words
seemed impossible. 1t was already June.
Only until the fifteenth was Aida bound
by her promise. Never did sailor wish
for fair winds more feryently than Leon
for some delay 10 the vessel speeding
homeward. Only let the fifteenth pass,
and Aida was free. 1t was evident that
Elton Graham was sinking every day
under some fatal illness, and tho child
could be in Aida's charge, ifthe date which
impsriled her fortune were once safely
passed.
So, upon the broad ocean, and In the
lovely home at Eltonglade, anxious hearts
counted the sunny June days as they
passed. just twenty-four hours before
the momentous day, Elton Graham and
Leon Hartzberg stood upon the porch at
Eitonglade. There was no one waiting
to welcome them, for they had sent no
word forward, and the ladies had gone
for drive. But while they waited, Le-
on with pale face and resolute eye, said
to his friend
"You wonder at my haste in leaving
New York p
" Not after you told mo you were be-
trothed TO my cousin Aida"
Yet, could have come here alone,
leaving you to gain the rest you needed
so much, and follow me. 1t needed
some urgency to persuade you to under
take another journey"
81 am very weak and ill.," was the
gentle apology.
True, and l seemed needlessly ur>
gent. But you will understand before
night why your own interests and those
of your boy require you 10 be here to-
day"
" You speak solemnlyl And yet,
when saw Mr.. Wilson, in New York,
he assured me uncle's Inst will gives