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

~. Graham he thought. "Can 1t
be-pshaw rs il Graham was not as
common q name almost as Smith or
Jonesp
And vet there was fascination about
the slender, pale man who, with beau
tive person, but there gradually grew
up between the two such intimacy rs
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, sad
ly, "but for Franks" and he caressed
the curly head upon his bosom. My
LIES pilgrimage is almost over; but /
hope my uncle will be kind to Frank,
and little Aida-my cousin, sir-will love
him."
"You are widower, them"
eyes. 1 married against my uncle's
will, and his parting curse seemed to
follow me. My wife lived only four
wears, and died in Pernambuco of mala-
rious fever. We had been wanderers
from the first, seeking fortune but never
finding it L went to my upcle's old
friends, s. & Co., for employment, and
they sent me to the coffee plantation
that supplies their business. You are
with themp"
"Their manager in the Perrambuco
branch of the business"
"Do you know uncle? ?"
Intimately"
But further words seemed impossible.
1t was already June. Only until the
18th was Aida bound by her promise.
Never did sailor wish for fair winds
more fervently than Leon for some de-
lay to the vessel speeding homeward.
Only let the 10Th pass and Aida ives
free. 1t was evident that Elton was
sinking every day under the burden of
some fatal illness, and the child could
be Aida's charge, if the date which i'm
periled her fortune were once safely
passed.
So, upon the broad ocean, and in tile
lovely home at Eltonglade, anxious
hearts counted the sunny June days as
they passed. Twenty-four hours before
the momentous day. Elton Graham and
Leon Hartzberg stood upon the porch Mt
Eltonglado. 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 wait
ed, Leon, with pale face and resolute
eye, said to his friend:
You wondered at my haste in leav-
ing New York ?"
mot after You told me you were be-
trothed to my Cousin Aida"
60 Yet, could have come here alone,
leaving you to gain the rest you need so
much and follow me. 1t needed some
urgency to persuade you to undertake
another journey"
81 am very weak and ILL.," was the
gentle apology.
"True, and L seemed needlessly ur-
gent. But YOU must understand before
night why your interests and those of
your COY require you to be here to-day"
" You speak solemnly And yet when
l saw Mr.. Wilson in New York he as
sured me that my uncle's will gives Aida
everything"
"They are coming"
And just as Aida said to her aunt:
Only one more day, Aultle May,
and all this lovely home is mine" she
looked up and saw Elton Graham ssnd-
ing on the porch, and "A lovely boy fiay-
ing horse witha walking stick. Leon had
stepped into the drawing-room through
the low French window, unable fully to
control his agitation.
There was the usual hustle of excite
ment, welcomes spoken, some tears shed,
and Aida felt Icons arm holding her in
close embrace. But when they were ali
quiet once more Aida spoke:
" Cousin Elton, / have letter in trust
for you. A letter that will be valueiess
aft tomorrow, but to-day gives you
my uncle's fortune" and in few words
she told her cousin of her uncle's dying
beque,t.
"Yol, knew of this ?" Elton asked,
turninc to Leon.
ct did 1t was because I knew it
that deprived you of necessary rest in
New York"
"Only one little day." murmured Ell
ton. But Mr.. Wilson told me moth
ing"
"No one living knows of the trust but
Leon and Aunt May" said Aida, 81 will
get you the letter"
She left the room hastily. Now that
the dreaded moment had come, She real
lied bitterly how the loss would torture
her. To leave Eltonglade, to follow Leon
to Brazil, perhaps to die there us Elton g
wife had done. This was the future be-
fore her, instead of the ease and happi-
ness of the past year, the power to let
Leon choose whatever occupation he
would.
1t needed some moments of struggle
for Aida to summon sufficient self-con-
trol to return TO the drawing-room, but
| when she did Leon was alone.
Z" Your cousin has gone to the libra
ry," he said, land will return here. Lit
tie one, did L do wrong to hasten our
journey?"
"No, Leon, you could not act dishon-
orably. But" and she drew long,
quivcring sigh, cit is hard"
every hard but L am young and
strong, and in good business. We will
not suffer.
"Not unless" faltered Aida" see
how the climate of Brazil has injured
Elton, and his wife died there"
"Then L will take lower position
and salary here. Do not despond,
Aida"
Z" L do not. Love is better than fort
une, and we have each other"
As she spoke, her cousin Elton entered