Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-05-28
THE SECRET LEGACY.

of duty to destroy the happiness Of two
livesp
Very passionately the words were
spoken, and Leon Hartsberg paused in a
hasty walk up and down the large draw
inr.room to comfort his betrothed with
flashing eyes and angry brow. He was
tall and strong, handsome in a comman-
ding style, with heavy brown beard and
large brown eyes; a man who seemed
born to lead-to be obeyed.
And little Aida, small, delicately fea-
tured, blue eyed and timid, was his very
opposite; yielding, gentle, submissive,
She was pale now, with eyes weary from
long, painful watching at 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 Elton's return"
"But he asked more"
II promised nothing more. | loveyou,
Leon, and will be true to you"
"And | am q selfish brute to doubt
YOU" Leon replied, in a sudden spasm OF
patience, "But l had so hoped you would
90 with me to Brazil"
"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, and
then, after straining Aida to his heart in
one long farewell embrace, Leon strobe
down the avenue to the gate and out
upon the road, not daring to look back
upon the tiny, black-robed figure watch,
ing him, not seeing his betrothed as she
sank down beside the window, sobbing
with all a maiden's pain over the first
love parting. She had not moved wher
a carriage drew hastily up the avenue
middle-aged lady alighted, and came
swiftly across the porch into the draw
ing-room. Not until soft voice said {:
"Aida, child, l am here" did the weep
ing child stir. Then she sprang to hel
feet with cry of gladness. "Aunty
May at last"
Dear child, came as fast as steaH
could bring me. Fortunately l was il
London when your telegram came to m.
bankers, Tell me all, Aida"
mot now! You must be tired. Come
your room isready; and Margaret will b
in ecstasy to see you. You must hav
some rest and have some supper"
And not one sOrrowful word woul,
Aida speak until her aunt was refreshed
and rested Then, with many tears
they spoke of the dead Frank Elton, VIII
was Aida's fathers brother, while Mrs
Mary Wharton was her mothers sister
and now to be her own protectress an'
comforter. But after there had been
long confidential intercourse, Mrs. WhaI
ton said:
"Where is Leon Hartzberg"
''He was here to-day. Tomorrow h
sails for Brazil, upon business for tn
firm employing him"
"But I thought that was to be you
wedding trip"
1--WE hoped so. But-at the last, uncl
Frank bound me by promise to renal
at Eltonglade one year before we gay
up hope Of Elton's return
clifton Graham! Why, Aida you SURF
ly do not expect him ?"
II think he is dead. Uncle Frank mus
have thought so, too, for he made his wi
last winter, leaving me Eltonglade an
his entire fortune. But Just before l
died he made a memorandum, a sort
will, and gave it to me. He made Il
promise to keep it, to show it to no on
unless within one year Elton Graham II
turns here. If he does l am to return
him the fortune | rejected when he le
me here in anger six years ago."
''And you what-what will you hay
then ?"
Nothing! Unless"-and Aida blusl
ed-"I marry Elton. You know this
impossible; so if Elton returns, Lee
will have a portionless BRIDE
''YOur Uncle Frank told me years az
that you were betrothed to Elton wht
he went away"
"Ycars ago, Auntie May, and am Ut
twenty-two 1t was because Elton r
fused to agree to this farce of betroth
and wanted to marry some one else tn
the quarrel arose with Uncle Frank"
''And until he comesyouare prison
at Eltonglade"
"Only one year. If he does not COZ
before the fifteenth of next June | a
k,,o opj bairass &c I,1+op.rIoJa