Evening star., 1928-04-09
WORLD FAMOUS STORIES
THE STORY OF AN HEIR
By JOSEPH ADDISON.

finished his studies and exercises with
great applause. Florio was removed
from the university to the Inns OF
Court, where there are very few that
make themselves considerable prom
clients IN the studies OF the place, who
know that they shall arrive at great
estates without them. This Was nQs
Florios case; he found that 800 year
was but poor estate for Leontine and
himself TO live upon. so that he studied
without intermission till he gained a
very good insight into the constitution
and laws Of his country.
While Florio lived at the house Of
his fosteT-father he Was always an ac-
ceptable guest In the family OF Eudoxus,
where he became acquainted with
LeoniIla from her infancy. His ac-
cuaintance with her by degrees grew
into love, which In mind trained up
in all the sentiments of honor and
virtue became q very uneasy passion.
He deSpaired of gaining an heiress Of
so great q fortune. and would rather
have died than attempted 1t by any in
direct methods.
LeOniila, who was a woman Of the
greatest beauty joined with the grea'-
est modeSty, entertained at the same
time q secret passion for Florio. but
conducted herself with so much pru-
dence that she never gave him the least
inttmatiOn of IL. FiOrio was now en-
gagged in all those arts and improve
mentg that are proper TO raise mans
private fortune and give him figure
III the country, but secretly tormented
with that passion which burns with the
greatest fury IN q vertu0us and noble
heart, when he received q sudden sum-
mons from LeOntine TO repair 10 him In
the country the next day.
For II seems EudoXus was so filled
with the report Of his sons reputation
that he could no longer withhold max
Ing himself known to him. The morn
ing after his arrival at the house OF his
supposed father. Leontine told him that
Eudoxus had something Of great I'M
portance 10 communicate 70 him; upon
which the good man embraced him ana
wept. FlOrio was no sooner at the
great Esouse that stood in his nelghbcr-
hood bat Eu6oxus took him by the
hand, after the first saiutes we're over,
and conducted him into his study.
EudOzus there opened TO him the
whole secret Of his parentage and edu-
cation, concluding after this manner:
I have no other way left Of acknowI-
edging my gratitude 10 Leontine, than
BY marrying you 70 his daughter. He
shall not lose the pleasure Of being
your father by the disclosure ] have
made 10 you. Leonilla, too shall be stu
my daughter; her filial piety. though
misplaced. has been 80 exemplary that
IL deserves the greatest reward / can
confer upon IT., You shall have the
pleasure Of seeing q great estate fall
10 you. which you would have lost
the relish Of had you known yourself
born 10 II. C0ntiriue only To deserve
it In the same manner you did before
you were possessed of IL. ] have left
your mother IN the next room. Her
heart yearns toward you. She Is maxi
Ing the same disclosures 10 Leonlila
which / have made 10 you"
The happy pair were married and
half Eud0Kue' estate was settled upon
them Le0ntine and Eud0zus passed
the remainder of their lives together;
and received IN the dutiful affection
and regard 0f FloriO and L,eonilla the
lust reward of that care which they
had bestowed upon their education.