Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-05-26

will 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 ! am not
twenty-five! 1t was because Elton re.
fused 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 a prisoner
at EltongladeW
"Only one year. If he does not come
before the fifteenth Of next June ! am
free and heress 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, for
the letters to and from Pernambuco be-
came the one excitement of her quiet
life.
The year was drawing to close when
Leon Hartzberg sailed upon the vessel
employing him, for New York. Contrary
to their custom they carried a few pas
sengers, and Leon felt his heart throb
painfully when upon the list he read,
'E. Graham and SON."
"E. Graham he thought. "Can it
be-pshaw as if Graham was not as
common q name almost as Smith or
Jones'"
And vet there was fascination about
the slender, pale man who, with beau
tiful boy of three years old, came every
day upon deck. He was not communl.
cative person, but there gradually grew
up between the two such intimacy as
often occurs where the monotony OF ship
life throws the passengers entirely upon
each others mercy for amusement.
"Not for my own sake" he said, sadly
"but for Franks" and he carressed thu
curly head upon his bosom. "My life
pilgrimage is almost over but nope
| nv uncle will be kind to Frank, ant
t little Aida-my cousin, sir-will low
him.
e "You are widower, them"
Eyes. married against my uncle
will, and his parting curse seemed to to-
!, low me. My wife lived only four year:
and died in Pernambuco, of malariou
It fever. We had been wanderers from tn
# first, seeking fortune but never hndin
d it! | went to my uncle's old friends,
g. Co., for employment, and they sci
,, me to the coffee plantation that supple
J. their business. You are with them"
heir manager in the Pernambut
t. branch of the business"
10 "Do you know uncle %
IN ultimately"
le But further words seemed imposslb
II It was already June. Only until tt
TX fifteenth was Aida bound by her prol
Il Use. Never did sailor wish for fair win
le more fervently than Leon for some d
lg lay to the vessel speeding homewal
81 Only let the fifteenth pass and Aida W
en- free. 1t was evident that Elton WI
e' sinking every day under the burden
ne some fatal illness, and the child could
W. Aidas charge if the date which imper
ed her fortune were once safely passe
p So, upon the broad ocean, and in
Ter lovely home at Eltonglade, ankle
ty hearts counted the sunny June days
they passed. Just twenty-four ho'
In before the momentous day, Elton q
in ham and Leon Harzberg stood upon
ny porch at Eltonglade. There was no
waiting to welcome them, for they /
ne, sent no word forwa I'd, and the lad
be had gone for drive. But while IL
we waited, Leon, with pale face and T
olute eye, said to his friend:
1ldt "You wondered at my haste in le
''u ing New York! 7"
u.s. "Not after you told me you were
mo trothed to my Cousin Aida"
|fs' "Yet, Icould have come here alo
er, leaving you to gain the rest you n
'hu so much, and follow me. 1t needed SC
urgency to persuade you to undert
'ai- another journey"
81 am very weak and ILL.," was
ho gentle apology.
~ "True, and seemed needlessly urge
'''' But YOU must understand before nj
. -, why your interests and those Of
boy require you to be here to-day"
,c,e "You speak solemnly! And yet, W
min I saw Mr.. Wilson in New York, he
J., 70 sured me that my uncle's will g
Aida everything"
,rs "rhey are coming"
hnl met nc Nd. said Tn her aunt