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

III SLAltAl AAH
"You will obey this whim of your I'M
cle's9 You will allow romantic sense
of duty. to destroy the happiness of two
livesp
Very passionately the words were
spoken, and Leon Hartzberg paused ina
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 comman'
ding style, with heavy brown beard and
large brown eyes man who seemed
born to lead--to be obeyed.
And little Aida, small delicately tea-
tured, blue eyed and timid, was his very
opposite; yielding, gentle, submissive.
She was pale now, with eyes weary from
long, painful watching at a sick bed, and
her deep mourning dress made her pallid
loneliness very pathetic. Yet she did
not shrink from the flashing eyes, but
said firmly:
81 promised Uncle Frank to wait one
wear for Eltons return
"But he asked more"
II promised nothing more. veyou,
Leon, and will be true to you"
"And am selfish brute to doub,
you," Leon replied, in a sudden spasm o.
patience. But had 50 hoped You would
90 with me to Brazil" y
'This separation is very hard to me
Leon, but we will be faithful and pa
TENT =.
There was more lovers talk, soft
spoken vows of constancy and hope, ant
then, after straining Aida to his heart il
one long farewell embrace, Leon strod
down the avenue to the gate and on
upon the road, not daring to look bac
upon the tiny, black-robed figure watch
ing him, not seeing his betrothed as sh
sank down beside the window, sObbln
with all maiden's pain over the tirs
love parting. She had not moved whe
carriage drew hastily up the avenue
middle-aged lady alighted, and cam
swiftly across the porch into the draw
ing-reom. Not until soft voice said
"Aida, child, l am herem did the weel
ing child stir. Then she sprang to HI
feet with a cry Of gladness. "Aunt
, May at last"
, "Dear child, came as fast as stea
, could bring me. Fortunately l was
T London when your telegram came to IL
$ bankers. Tell me all, Aida"
"Not now! You must be tired. Com
your room isready; and Margaret will
r in ecstasy to see you. You must ha'
$ some rest and have some supper"
| And not one sorrowful word wou
t Aida speak until her aunt was retresh'
e and rested. Then, with many teal
4 thew spoke of the dead Frank Elton, W
d was Aida's fathers brother, while Nj
y Mary Wharton was her mothers siste
d and now to be her own protectress a
|, comforter. But after there had been
o long confidential intercourse, Mrs. VIII;
e ton said:
d "Where is Leon Hartzberg ~
4 'sHe was here to-day. Tomorrow
sails for Brazil, upon business for
Il firm employing him"
X "But thought that was to be yt
rs wedding trip"
- "We hoped 50. But-at the last, Tn
Frank bound me by promise to REM
~. at Eltonglade one year before we ga
~ up hope of Elton's return"
CLIFTON Graham Why, Aida, you su
II ly do not expect him =
II think he is dead Uncle Frank III
have thought so, too, for he made his
last winter, leaving HE Eltonglade
~ his entire fortune. But just before
died he made u memorandum, a sort
an will, and gave it to me. He mace
81 promise to keep it, TO show it to no c
unless within one year Elton Graham,
ed turns here. If he does / am to retnr
e. him the fortune | rejected when he
'e- me here in anger six years ago"
ad "And you what-what will you h
nd them
Nothing. Unless"-and Aida BIZ