The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-03-08
GERARD LANGTON's SECRET, |

GERARD LANaToN's SECRET. s.
1t was in "a luxuriously filrnished
room where a glowing CRATE threw ge.
NAL light and warmth upon the occu.
pants, that Gerald Iangton. lawyer and
millionaire, listened with bated breath
md pallid cheeks to a low. and melo-
dious voice that told the story of life.
The speaker, beautiful woman OF
about thirty, yet ten years younger
than Mr.. Langton, recllned III low
cushioned chair, her dress, her attitude,
both speaking of the ease wealth gives,
but her face was full of the deepest
anguish, as her lips recounted this
story. .,s..... ...
"You love NO." she said, gently, yet
sadly, "and I love you as never loved
anyone before. although am widow.
That you knew, but you did not know
my husbands name. BY my unole's
last request I dropped it and took his,
with the property he left me. Do not
look at me tenderly, Gerald, do not
shake my voice or my heart, for when
you know whom l am, you will not
repeat the offer you have made me-,
und which, Heaven is my witness,
tried to avert"
''Let your conscience be at rest
there" said her listener, in grave yet
tender voice; ''you have never given
me ole hope, Maude. BY what instinct
l knew that you loved me- 1 can never
tell, something in your eyes some
tone OF your voice betrayed you. If,
ns you Say. something i'll your past life
does separate US, you have been no
,oquGtte to torment mo with false hopes,
but. Maude, tell mo again, whatever
stands between us, you love me?"
81 love you, she said, gravely card
1t IL because l love you that will not
let You link your honorable name with
that OF the wretch who was my his
band. l was very young--not sixteen
when he came to make visit to
some friends living at Grassbank.
Uncle Richard has = country seat near
The village. I first met Alexander at
Il picnic, where he was the very life Of
the party, everybody's cavalier, court
e"us to all, full of wit and animation
and service Tor all. believe every
glfl ut the grounds thought she had
ouptlyated HIM. his attentions were so
well divided, and yet SO impressive tc
each one. lie CLAIMED to be no more
than salesman in large wholesale
house with good salary, but he had
The manners OF gentleman, q good
education, and the most perfect beauty
OF face and form that ever saw in u
man. 1t was not long before it was
evident that lie wished to Win my love,
and he had an ensy task. Such love
as child OF sixteen can give, gave
INN. He was the impersonatlon of
every hero OF poetry and fiction with
Whom my limited reading had made
me familiar. Schoolgirl like, I had
made an ideal hero, and fitted this, my
hrst admirer, with all his imaginary
perfecGons. la :
"Froln the first, Uncle Richard dis :.
liked him, pronouncihg hlm false and
shallow, ana assuring mo that my per-
sonal attractions had not won Ills heart;
but that the TACT Of my being IN heireas
to large property had gained me the
protestations in which l so firmly be-
heved." ,.. .nr'.'g ...".. :. q
'It is a painful story to me now,
Gerard. Let 1t suffice that L lived in u
world Of delicious dreams while Alexnn-
der remained at Grassbank. When lie
leit. nc carried my promise to be his
wife at Christmas" .r.,. ..,.
III think If my money had depended
upon Uncle Richard that my marriage
might have been prevented by his
threatening to disinherit me, but both
from my father and my mother 1 had
Inherited money that made me- inde-
pendent, in q peounlarry sense, OF his
control " consent"
''Most grudgingly, however, my uncle
did consent, after searching inquiry
about Alexander, resulting in no worse
report than TINT his employees thought
hm fast, idle, and Just the man to be q
iortune-hunter. Even then my dear
uncle would have protected my fortune
ny settling 1t strictly upon myself; but,
wAth the reckless generosity of extreme
youth, 1 refused to have this done.
Never, was firmly convinced, would
my aaored Alexander wrong mo III any
way" "a ~
"For year after the splendid we'd
ding that made me- Alexander's wafe I
was very happy. I was too ignorant
VI The value OF money to understand
that we We're living fur beyond our in.
come, aud enjoy ed to the utmost the
laxurles surrounding me--the constant
8@lety that was in such strong contrast
" the school routine from winch | Iiad
just been Released"
'Ihoii. began u life of neglect. otten
of quarrelling, when l.obieoted TO nv
husDhnd's course OF conduot--h,s
drinking, his extravaganza. aud hia
late hours. Still i found NV own
pleasures in society and renewal of
sOme OF my tavorite studies. especially =
languages and music. i was fond! too
VI w,1ter-color painting, and made pre-
sents TO my friends OF specimens of my
bklll in that llne." }}i
1t was four years after my marriage
WAen 1 was thunderstrick ny Alexan-
der asking me to request loan Of
money from Uncle Richard, with the
information added that every penny Of
my property was gone. Since then I