The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-06-24
The SECRET LEGACY.

The SECRET LEGACY.
"You will obey this within of your un-
cle's? You will allow romantic sense
of duty to destroy the happiness of two
lives
Very passionatefy the words were
spoken, and Leon Hartsberg paused in a
hasty walk up and down the large draw
ing-room to comfort his betrothed with
flashing eyes and angry brow. He was
tall and strong, handsome in COM
manding style, with heavy brown beard
and large brown eyes man who
seemed born to lead-to be obeyed.
And little Aida, small, delicately feat
ured, blue eyed and timid, was his very
opposite; yielding, gentle, submissive.
She was pale, with eyes weary from
long, painful watching at the sick-bed,
and her pallid loneliness very pathetic.
Yet she did not shrink from the flashing
eyes. but said firmly:
81 promised Uncle Frank to wait one
year for Elton's return F"
But he asked more
81 promised nothing more. love
you, Leon, and will be true to you
"And / am selfish brute to doubt
you" Leon replied, i'll a sudden spasm
of patience. But l had 80 hoped you
would go with me to Brazil"
"This separation is very hard to me,
Leon, but we will be faithful and pa
tient."
There was more lovers talk, soft
spoken vows of constancy and hope, and
then, after straining Aida TO his heart in
one long farewell embrace, Leon strobe
down the avenue to the gate and out up.
on the road, not daring TO look back up
on the tiny, black-robed figure watch
ing him, not seeing his betrothed as she
sank down beside the window, sobbing
with all maiden's pain over the first
love parting. She had not moved when
a carriage drew hastily up the avenue,
middle-aged lady alighted, and came
swiftly across the porch into the drawing.
room. Not until soft voice said
'Aida, child, / am here I" Did the
weeping child stir? Then she sprang
to her feet with cry of gladness.
"Aunty May at last"
"Dear child, l came as fast as steam
could bring me. Fortunately l was in
London when your telegram came to my
bankers. Tell me all, Aida.
mot now. You must be tired. Come
your room is ready, and Margaret viii
be in ecstasy to see Won. lOu must
have some rest and then have some sup
per"
And not one sorrowful word would
Aida speak until her aunt was refreshed
and rested Then, with many tears,
they spoke of the dead Frank Elton, who
was Aida's fathers brother, while Mrs.
Mary Wharton was her mothers sister,
and now TO be her own protectress and
comforter. But, after there had been
long confidential intercourse, Mrs.
Wharton said:
"Where is Leon Hartzberg?"
he was here to-day. Tomorrow he
sails for Brazil, upon business for the
firm employing him.
"But I thought that was to be your
wedding trip"
eve hoped so. But-at the last,
Uncle Frank bound me by promise to
remain Mt EltonPlade one year before we
gave up hope of Elton's return"
ELTON Graham! Why, Aida, you
surely DO not expect him "
ct think he is dead. Uncle Frank
must have thought so, too, for he made
his will last winter, leaving me Elton
glade and his entire fortune. But, just
before he died, he made a memorandum,
sort of will, and gave it to me. He
made me promise to keep it, to show it
to no one, unless within one year Elton
Graham returns here. If he does L am
to return to him the fortune l rejected
when he left me here in anger six years
ago."
'And you what-what will you have
thep2"
Nothing, unless and Aida blushed
-"I marry Elton. You know this is
impossible 80 if Elton returns, Leon
viii have portionless BRIDE"
Your Uncle Frank told me years ago
that you were betrothed to Elton when
he went away"
Years ago, Auntie May, and L am
not % It WIS because Elton refuse
to agree to this farce Of betrothal and
wanted TO marry some one else that the
quarrel arose with Uncle Frank"
"And until he comes you are q pris-
oncr Mt Eltonglade? ~
"Only one year. fine does not come
before the 18th of next June / am free
and heiress of Eltonglade."
The days passed quietly during the
months that followed. Aida packed
away the wedding garments her uncle's
sudden death had rendered useless, fol
the letters 10 and from Pernambuco be
came the one excitement OF her quiet
life.
The year vns drawing to close when
Leon Hartzbcrg sailed, upon the vessel
employing him, for New York. Contrary
to their custom, they carried a fow pas