The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-11-15
THE LAWYERS SECRET.

| TIL "HElt'S SECRET,
| ---
| 1t was in luxur,ousIy furnished
room whore Il glowing CRATE threw
genial light and warmth upon the occu
pants, that General Langton, lawye,
and millionaire. listened with bated
breath and pallid cheeks to q low and
melodious voice that told n story of a
| life.
The speaker, beautiful young
| woman of about thirty. yet ten years
younger than Mr.. Langton, reolined in
low cushioned chair, her attitude,
speaking of the ease wealth gives,
but her face was tull of the deepest
anguish, as her lips recounted her
| story.
"You love me" she said gently, yet
sadly, land love you as never loved
anyone before, although am q widow.
That you knew, but did not know my
husbands name. BY my uncle's last
request l dropped it and took his with
tho property he left me. DO not look
at mo tenderly, Gerald, do not shake
my voice or my heart, for when you
know who am you will not repeat the
offer you made me, which Heaven is my
witness tried to avert"
'Let you conscience be ut rest there"
sala her listener, in grave yet tender
voice; y ou have never given me one
hope, Maude. BY whut instinct knew
that yon loved me I can never tell,
something in your eyes-some tone OF
your voice betrayed you If, rs you
say, something in your past life does
separate us you have been no coquette to
torment me with false hopes. But
Maude, tell me again, whatever stands
between us-you love me?'
IT love you," she said graveIy, and
it is bee iuse J. love you that will not
let yon link your honorable name with
t!:::: ~ the wretch who wns my hus.
band. l WAS worry youns-not eistoon
when he came to make a visit to some
friends living ut Grassbank. Uncle
Richard had a country seat near the
village. l first met Alexander at pic
me, where he WAS the very hfe of the
party, everybody's cavalier, courteous to
all, full of wit and animation and SER
vice to all. believe every girl OH the
grounds thought she had captlvated
HIM, his attentions were SO we'll divided
and yet so impressive to each one. He
claimed 10 be no moro than salesman
III large wholesale house with q good
sal ,ry. but he hud the manners of
gentleman III good education, and the
most perfect beauty OF face. aud form
that l ever saw in II man. 1t was not
long before it was evident he wished 20
win my love. and he had al easy task.
Such love rs child of sixteen can give
I gave him. He was the lmpersonation
of every hero of poetry and fiction with
whom my limited reading had made m Q
familiar. Schoolgirl like, / made an
ideal hero, and fitted this, my first
admirer, with oil his imaginary perfec-
tions.
"From the first Uncle Richard dis
liked him, pronounclug him false and
shallow, and assuring me that my per-
sonal attractions had not won his heart,
but the fact Of my being an heiress to
n large property had gained me the pro-
testations in which I so firmly be-
lievcd.
cit is a painful story to mo now,
Gerald. Let it suffice tnat 1 have lived
in world of pleasant dreams while
Alexander remained ut Grassbank.
When he left mo he carried my promise
to be his wife at Christmas,
II think if my money had depended
on Uncle Richard, my marriage might
have been prevented by his threatening
to disinherit mo, but both from my
father and my mother had Inherited
money that made me independent il
q pccunilry sense of his control or con.
sent.
"Most gludRingly, however, uncle
did consent. after searching inquiry
about Alexander, resulting in no worse
/ l. l.
fast, idle and just the man to be for
tune hunter. Even then my dear uncle
would have protected my fortune BY
setting it upon myself, but with the
reckless generosity of extreme youth,
refused to have this done. Never, wal
firmly convinced. would my adoret
Alexander rob me i'll any Way.
''For year after the splendid we'd
ding that made me Alexander's wife
was very happy. I was too ignorant o
values to understand that we were livinl
far beyond our income, and enjoyed to tn,
utmost the luxuries around me-the con
stapt gaiety that was in such strong con
trast to the school routine from which
had been released.
"Then began q life of neglect. Otter
of quarrellng, when objected to M,
husbands course Of cOnduct-h1s drink
ing, his extravaganza, and his lat
hours. Still I found my own pleasur
in sccoty, and renewal of some of M
favorito studies. especially language an
music. l was fond, too fond, of waite,
color painting, and made presents to m
friends of specimens OF my skill in tha
line.
"It was four years alter my marriage
when was thunderstruck by Alexandt
asking me to request loan Of none
from Uncle Richard, with the inform,
ton added that every penny OF my pr
perty was gone.
"Slnce then I have known that
large portion OF it was lost at the gan
ing table.
"Long before this had lost all lo'