Smyrna times., 1885-07-22
When time saps slowly strength and hon
The Lawyers Secret.

| ~ Wiz q llAuTlOuSly IufQlSQeQ room
where a glowing crate threw genial
light and warmth upon the occupants
that Gen. LangtOn, lawyer and million
aire, listened with bated breath and
pallid cheeks to a low and melodious
voice that told story Of life
The speaker, a beautiful woman of
about thirty, yet ten years younger than
Mr.. LangtOn, reclined in a low cush-
ioned chair, her attitude speaking of
the ease wealth gives, but her face was
full of the deepest anguish as her lips
recounted the story.
" You love me. she said gently, vet
sadly, and love you as l never loved
any one before although am a widow.
That you know, but did not know my
husbands name. BY my uncle's last
request l dropped it and took his with
the property he had left me. Do not
look at me tenderly, Gerald, do not
shake my voice or my heart, for when
you know who / am you will not re-
peat the offer you made me, and which
Heaven Is my witness tried to deviert." "
Let your conscience be at rest
there" said her listener in grave vet
tender voice; you have never given
me one hope, Maud. BY what instinct
l knew that you loved me can never
tell. Something in your eyes-some
tone of your voice betrayed you. If, as
you say, something in your past life
does separate us you have been no
coquette to torment me with false
hopes. But, Maud, tell me again.
whatever stands between us, you love
me?"
" l love you, she said gravely "and
1t is because I love you that will not
let you link your honorable name with
that OF the wretch who was my husband.
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 picnic where
he was the very life of the party every-
body's cavalier; courteous to all; full |
OF wit and animation and service to all.
believe every girl on the grounds
thought she had captivated him. his
attentions were so well divided and
yet so impressive to each one. He
claimed to be more than salesman in
a large wholesale house with a GOOD
salary, but he had the manners of n
gentleman Of education, and the most
perfect beauty of face and form that
ever saw In Il man. 1t was not LONG
before 1t was evident he wished to win
my love, and he had an easy task. Such
love as child Of sixteen can give 1 gave
him. He was the impersonation of
every hero of poetry and fiction with
whom my limited reading had made me
familiar. School girl like [ had made
m ideal hero, and fitted this, my first
with all his imaginary per-
fections
From the first Uncle Richard dis
liked him, pronouncing him false and
shallow, and assuring me that nv per-
ional attractions had not won his
heart but the fact Of my being am
lelress to a large property had gained
ne the protcstations in which l so
irmly believed.
1T is a painful story to me now
ierald Lct it suffice that have lived
n the world Of pleasant dreams while
Alexander remained at Grassbmk.
When lie left me he carried my promise
o be his wife at Christmas.
L think if my money had depended
IN Uncle Richard, my marriage might :
AVE been prevented by his threatening
o disinherit me, but both from nv +,
ather and mother l had inherited money
hatmade meindependent in Il pccuniarv :
ense of his control or consent. !,
Most grudgingly, however uncle
I'D consent after searching inquiry
bout Alexander, resulting in no worse =
eport than that his employers Thought "
I'm fast, idle, and just the man to be n :
Ortune hunter. Even then nv dear =
ncle would have protected my fortune
y settling it upon myself but with the r
eckless generosity Of extreme youth | =
efused to have this done Never. I was y
rmly convinced, would my adored "
lexander wrong me in any way Il
For year after the splendid we'd :, :,
ing that made me Alexanders wife I =.
as very happy. was too ignorant of :,
alue to understand that we were living =.
y beyond our incomO.-enioyed to the
OihOst the luxurles around me-the III
instant gaiety that was in such strong IN
,htrast to the school routine from which OF
had been released. af
Then began a life of neglect. often
quarreling, when l objected TO nv to
lsDands course Of conduot-his drink. th
g. his extravaganza and his late hours. 70
~ l fouLd my own pleasures in he
ciety.
~ was four years after my marriage, nc
len WAS thunderstruck by Alexander
KING me to request loan of money or
1m Uncle Richard, with tho informe all