Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1881 — THE SECRET LEGACY. [ARTICLE]

THE SECRET LEGACY.

“You will obey this whim of your uncle’s ? You will allow a romantic sense of duty to destroy the happiness of two lives! ” Very passionately the words were spoken, and Leon Hartsberg paused in a hasty walk up and down the large draw-ing-room to comfort his betrothed with Hushing eyes and angry brow. He was tall and strong, handsome in a commanding style, with heavy brown beard and large brown eyes; a man who seemed born to lead—to be obeyed. And little Aida, small., delicately featured, blue -eyed and timid, was his very opposite; yielding, gentle, submissive. She was pale, with- eyes weary from long, painful watching at the sick-bed, and her pallid loveliness very pathetic. Yet she did not shrink from the flasliing eyes, but said firmly : “I promised Uncle Frank to wait one year for Elton’s return ! ” * ‘ But he asked more ! ” f‘ I promised nothing more. I love you, Leon, and will be true to you ! ” “And I am a selfish brute to doubt you,” Leon replied, in a sudden spasm of patience. “ But I had so hoped you would go with me to Brazil.” ’“This separation is very hard to me, Leon, but we will be faithful and patient. ” There was more lover’s talk, softspoken vows of constancy and hope, and then, after straining Aida to his heart in one long farewell embrace, Leon strode down the avenue to the gate and out upon the road, not daring to look back upon the tiny, black-robed figure watching him, not seeing his betrothed as she sank down beside the window, sobbing with all a maiden’s pain over the first love parting. She had not moved when a carriage drew hastily up the avenue, a middle-aged lady alighted, and came swiftly across the porch into the drawingroom. Not until a soft voice said : ‘ ‘Aida, child, lam here ! ” Did the weeping child stir ? Then she sprang to her feet with a cry of gladness. * ‘Aunty May at last. ” “Dear child, I came as fast as steam could bring me. Fortunately I was in London when your telegram came to my bankers. Tell me all, Aida.” “Not now. You must be tired. Come, your room is ready, and Margaret will be in ecstasy to see you. You must have some rest and then have some supper.” And not one sorrowfid word would Aida speak until her aunt was refreshed and rested. Then, with many tears, they spoke of the dead Frank Elton, who was Aida’s father’s brother, while Mrs. Mary Wharton was her mother’s sister, and now to be her own protectress ana comforter. But, after there had been a long confidential intercourse, Mrs. Wharton said :

“ Where is Leon Hartzberg ? ” ‘* He was here to-day. To-morrow he sails for Brazil, upon business for the firm employing him.” “But I thought that was to be your wedding trip. ” “We hoped so. But—at the last, Uncle Frank bound me by a promise to remain at Eltonglade one year before we gave up hope of Elton’s return.” “Elton Graham! Why, Aida, you surely do not expect him ! ” “I think he is dead. Uncle Frank must have thought so, too, for he made his will last winter, leaving me Eltonglade and his entire fortune. But, just before he died, he made a memorandum, a sort of will, and gave it to me. He made me promise to keep it, to show it to no one, unless within one year Elton Graham returns here. If he does lam to return to him the fortune I rejected when he left me here in anger six years ago.” “And you what—what will you have then ?” . * ‘ Nothing, unless ” —and Aida blushed 4“ I marry Elton. You know this is impossible; so if Elton returns, Leon will have a portionless bride.” “ Your Uncle Frank told me'years ago that you were betrothedtu"Elton when he went away.” “ Years ago, Auntie May, and I am not 22 ! It was because Elton refused to agree to this farce of betrothal and wanted to marry some one else that the quarrel arose with Uncle Frank.” “And until he comes you are a prisoner at Eltonglade ?” “Only one year. If he does not come before the 15th of next June I am free and heiress of Eltonglade.” The days passed quietly during the months that followed. Aida packed away the wedding garments her uncle’s sudden death had rendered useless, for the letters to and from Pernambuco be • came the one excitement of her quiet life. The year was drawing to a close when Leon Hartzberg sailed, upon the vessel employing him, for New York. Contrary to their custom, they carried a few passengers, and Leon felt his heart throb painfully when upon the list he read, “E. Graham and son.” “E. Graham !” he thought. “Can it be—pshaw! as if Graham was not as common a name almost as Smith or Jones!” And yet there was a fascination about the slender, pale man who, with a beautiful boy of 3 years old, came every day upon deck. He was not a communicative 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 other’s mercy for amusement. “Not for my own sake,” he said, sadly, “but for Frank’s,” and he caressed the curly head upon his bosom. “My life’s pilgrimage is almost over; but I hope my uncle will be kind to Frank, and little Aida—my cousin, sir—will love him. ” “ You are a widower, then ?” “Yes. I married against my uncle’s will, and his parting curse seemed to follow 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 it! I went to my uncle’s old friends, S. & Co., for employment, and they sent me to the coffee plantation that supplies their business. You are with them?” * '

— “ Their manager in the Pernambnco branch of the business.” “Do you know uncle ?" “Intimately.” But further words seemed impossible. It was already June. Only until the 15th was Aida bound by her promise. Never did sailor wish for fair winds more fervently than Leon for some delay to the vessel speeding homeward. Only let the 15th pass and Aida was free. It was evident that Elton was sinking everv day under the burden of some fatal illness, and the child could be Aida’s charge, if the date which imperiled 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. Twenty-four hours before the momentous day, Elton Graham and Leon Hartzberg stood upon the porch at Eltonglade. There was no one waiting to welcome them, for they had sent no word forward, and the ladies had gone for a drive. But, while they waited, Leon, with a pale face and resolute eye, said to his friend : “ You wondered at my haste in leaving New York ?” “Not after you told me you were betrothed to my Cousin Aida. ” “Yet, I could have come here alone, leaving you to gain the rest you need so much and follow me. It needed some urgency to persuade you to undertake another journey.” “I am very weak and ill,” was the gentle apology. ‘ ‘ True, and I seemed needlessly urgent. But you must understand before night why your interests and those of your boy require you to be here to-day.” “ You speak solemnly ! And yet when I saw Mr. Wilson in New York he assured me that my uncle’s will gives Aida everything. ” “They are coming.” And just as Aida said to her aunt: “ Only one more day, Auntie May, and all this lovely home is mine,” she looked up and saw Elton Graham standing on the porch, and a lovely boy playing horse witha walking stick. Leonhad stepped into the drawing-room through the low French window, unable fully to control his agitation. There was the usual bustle of excitement, welcomes spoken, some tears shed, and Aida felt Leon’s arm holding her in close embrace. But when they were all quiet once more Aida spoke: “ Cousin Elton, I have a letter in trust for you. A letter that will be valueless after to-morrow, but to-day gives you my uncle’s fortune,” and in a few words ■she told her cousin of her uncle’s dying bequest. “You knew of this?” Elton asked, turninc to Leon. “ I did ! It was because I knew it that I deprived you of necessary rest in New York.” “ Only one little day,” murmured Elton. “ But Mr. Wilson told me nothing. ” “ No one living knows of the trust but Leon and Aunt May,” said Aida, “I will get you the letter. ” She left the room hastily. Now that the dreaded moment had come, she realized bitterly how the loss would torture her. To leave Eltonglade, to follow Leon to Brazil, perhaps to die there as Elton’s wife had done. This was the future before her, instead of the ease and happiness of the past year, the power to let Leon choose whatever occupation he would. It needed some moments of struggle for Aida to summon sufficient self-con-trol to return to the drawing-room, but when sire did Leon was alone.

“ Your cousin has gone to the library,” he said, “ and will return here. Little one, did I do wrong to hasten our journey ?” “ No, Leon, you could not act dishonorably. But—” and she drew a long, quivering sigh, “it is hard.” “ Very hard; but I am young and strong, and in good business. We will not suffer.” “Not unless,” faltered Aida—“ see how the climate of Brazil has injured Elton, and his wife died there.” “ Then I will take a lower position and salary here. Do not despond, Aida.” “I do not. Love is better than fortune, and we have each other.” As she spoke, her cousin Elton entered the room with an open letter in his hand. Silently he read his uncle’s letter, and then deliberately and slowly tore it into minute pieces. Before Aida recovered from her amazement, he handed her the paper he held. “I trust to your generosity to sign this,” he said, “and to your kindness to let me die at home.” The paper contained a written promise binding Aida to support little Frank Graham till he attained his majority, and then to give him $20,000 to start in life. “It is all I ask, Aida,” said Elton, gently, “ for my uncle’s will is only justice to you, who never gave him an hour’s pain. I only hope for myself to see you happily married before I go to join my dear Laura.” The hope was granted, and in the soft air of Eltonglade, with the kindest of care lavished upon him, Elton Graham lived through the summer and fall, sinking to rest when the first snows covered the earth. A.nd Leon and Aida, surrounded by their children, with Aunt Mary to pet them all, gave to Frank Graham the love and care they gave their own boys, and hold as a sacred trust the paper Aida signed when Elton destroyed his uncle’s secret trust, never regretting that the wanderer returned to die at home.