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

came the one excitement OF her qulet
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 few pas
senpers. aud Leon felt his heart throb
painfully when upon the list he read,
"E. Graham and son."
"E. Graham p he thought. "Can it
be-pshaw as if Graham was not as
common a name almost as Smith or
Jones'"
And yet 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 communi.
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 the
curly head upon his bosom. my life's
pilgrimage is almost over ; but / hope
my uncle will be kind to Frank, and
little Aida--my cousin, sir--will love
him" as- ytg y.
"You are widower, then 7"
"Yes. married against my uncle's
will, and his parting curse seemed to fol-
low me. My wife lived only four years,
and died in Pernambuco, of malarious
fever. We had been wanderers from the
first, seeking fortune but never finding
lit! went to my uncle's old friends, S.
g. Co., for employment, and they sent
me to the coffee plantation that supplies
their business. You are with them"
"Their manager in the Pernambuco
branch of the business
"Do you know uncle ~
ultimately"
But further words seemed impossible
| 1t was already June. Only until the
fifteenth was Aida bound by her prom
Use. Never did sailor wish for fair winds
more fervently than Leon for some de-
lay to the vessel speeding homeward.
Only let the fifteenth pass and Aida was
; 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 dateswhich imperil-
ed her fortune were once safely passed.
So, upon the broad ocean, and in the
lovely home at Eltonglade, anxious
hearts counted the sunny June days as
they passed. Just twenty-four hours
before the momentous day, Elton Ora
ham and Leon Harzberg stood upon the
porch at Eltonglade. There was no one
waiting to welcome them, for they had
sent no word forwa I'd, and the ladies
: had gone for drive. But while they
/ waited, Leon, with pale face and res
olute eye, said to his friend:
"You wondered at my haste in leav
} ing New York 7"
"Not after you told me you were be-
trothed to my Cousin Aida"
"Yet, Icould have come here alone
r leaving you to gain the rest you neet
: SO much, and follow me. 1t needed some
urgency to persuade you to undertake
! another journey
~ am very weak and ill.," was thu
: gentle apology.
"True, land seemed needlessly urgent
. But you must understand before nigh
e why your interests and those Of you
e boy require you to be here to-day"
"You speak solemnly And yet, whel
4 I saw Mr.. Wilson in New York, he as
i sured me that my uncles will give
, Aida everything"
0 "They are coming"
J. And just as Aida said to her aunt:
"Only one more day, Auntie May
4 and all this lovely home is mine," sh
q looked up and saw Elton Graham stan
: ding on the porch, and lovely bo
playing horse with walking-stick
Leon had stepped into the drawing-roor
e through the low French window, una
e bic fully to control his agitation.
There was the usual hustle Of excite
II ment, welcomes spoken, some tears she
and Aida felt Icons arm holding her i
10 close embrace. But when they were a
Ii quiet once more, Aida spoke:
{ cousin Elton, have a letter in trus
for you. A letter that will be yalueles
after tomorrow, but to-day gives 70
my uncle's fortune" and in few worG
~ she told her cousin of her uncle's dyin
=, bequest.
III "You knew of this?" Elton asket
| 7