The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-10-24
MISCELLANY.
The Miscr's Bequest.

U6Ts vi Tic Sldtt III u lllOSt COZ1 anu
comfortable sort OF way, casting a rosy shine
into the eyes that were tracing castles and
coronets in the burning Goals.
For Phillip Acre was, for once, INDUCING
himself in the dangerous fascination OF day
dream.
"If were only rich." he pondered to him.
SELF "Ah, if! Then goodbye to all these old
musty law books; goodbye to mended boots
and thrice turned coats, and all the ways and
means that turn mans life into wretched bon
dage! Wouldn't | revel in new books and
delicious paintings and high stepping horses?
Wouldn't buy sets Of jewels for Edith-not
pale pearls of sickly emeralds, but diamonds
to blaze like fire upon her royal throat?
Wouldn't l. what nonsense Pm talking,
though? ?" he cried suddenly rousng himself
"Phill Acre hold your COMPOUNDED tongue.
1 did suppose you were fellow oil more
sense. Here you are neither :ich nor distin-
guished, but simple law student, while Edith
Wyllis is as far above your moonstruck aspi-
rations as the Queen of Night herself. She
loves me, though-she will wait-and the time
NAV come If DIR. Wyllis were not so distrust-
ful of fellow! However, | must learn to
prove myself worthy of the sweetest prize
that ever-Hallo! come in who ever you -
1t was only the serving maid of the estab-
lishment carrying letter in the corner of her
apron, between her thumb and finger.
icstsC, SIT. Vic pOStuldil JUST ltlI ll-lNO
cents to pay on itw
"Here are your two coppers Katy "a pref
ty fair equivalent for any letter that may re-
cieve. Now, then,'' he added, as the door
closed after the retreating form of Katy, ''let's
see what my unknown correspondent has to
say. A black seal eh Not having any rela-
tons to loose, am not alarmed at the prog
nosticw
He broke the seal and glanced over the
short business-like communication contained
within, with face that varied from incredu-
lous surprise to sudden gadness!
"Am dreaming?" he murmured TO himself
rubbing his eyes and shaking himself, as il 10
insure complete possession of his senses. "No
Pm wide awake and in my right mind; it is
no delusion no part of my waking vision
but who would suppose that old Theron Nor
tuner, whom have not seen since l was six
teen years old and picked him out of the river
half dead between craInp and fright, would
die and leave me all his money, Why, I'm not
even the shadow of relation but them new
ef heard the old man had any kith or kin, so
can't imagine any harm in taking adyan-
tage of this odd freak Rich-am really to be
rich? is my Aladdin vision to be an actual
fact o, Edith! Edithw
He clasped his hands over his eyes, giddy
with the thought that the lovely, far-ofi star
Of his alteration would be brought nearer to
him by the magnet Gold. All those years Of
patient waiting were to be bridged over by
the strange old miser's bequest: he might
claim Edith now!
How full of heart sunshine were the weeks
that fitted past over the accepted lover
frightened by Edith's smies-made beautiful
by Edith's love There was Only one allowing
shadow-the almost impreceptable touch of
distrust with which old DR.. Wyllis regarded
his future son-in-law! All! he feared to trust
Ia tI,at S1f L.,
had not been proved in the fiery furnace of
trial!
1t was precisely a week before the day APP
pointed for the wedding, and the soft lights
yelled by shades of ground glass, were Just
lighted in DIR. Wyllis's drawingroom, where
Edith sat among her white roses and hello
trope, working on a bit of cambria rufiling,
and singing to herself She was a slender,
beautiful girl, with violet eyes, blue veined
forehead, with glossy abundant curls of that
pale COLE that only painters love to portray.
Al wonder If Mortimer place is very lovely"
she said TO a silver-haired lady that sat oppo-
site. "Philip is going to take me there when
we return from our wedding tour. Aunty he
says 1t is the sweetest place a poets fancy can
devise, with fountains and strawberries and
green delicious copses o shall we not be hap
py there?
She started up with bright sudden blush.
ioA S'Sh "hhC thC Woiuc tICHloicu vi ltT
Phillip Acre came into the room, his hand
some face looking little troubled, yet cheer
ful withal. Mrs. Wylls with an arch nod at
her niece, disappeared into the perfumed per-
spective of the conservatory, leaving the
lovers TO themselves.
"You are looking grave, Phillip said Edith,
as he bent over aud Kissed her check.
"And am feeling so, darling. l have
very unpleasant disclosure to make tonight
riaoa ho oil ;nIo
"Phillip! for what reason ?"
ITO enable me by diligent labor at my
profession to realize sufficient means to support
you, dearest, 10 a manner satisfactory to your
fathers expectations, and my own wishes"
Shut, Phillip, thought"
"You thought me the heir to Theron Morti-
mer's wealth 7! So was, Edith, a few hours
since, but have relinquished all claims to it
now. When l accepted the bequest. | was
under the impression that no living heir exist
ed. learned to-day that distant cousin-a
woman-is living, although my lawyer tells
me in ignorance other relationship to Theron
Mortimer OF course / shall transfer the prop
to her Immediately"
But Phillip, 1.-THE will has made it legally
yours !"
Legally, 1t has but Edith, could recon-
cile 1t to my ideas of truth and honor to avail
myself of old Motrimer's lanciful freak, at this
woman's expense? l might take this boarded
wealth, but | should never respect myself
again, could dream Of legally delrauding the
rightful heir. Nay, dearest, | may lose name
and wealth, but l would rather die than suf-
fer single stain on my honor as a christian
gentleman
"You have done right, Phillip" said Edith,
with sparkling eyes. 1--WE will wait, and hope
on, happy in loving each other more dearly
than ever But who is she? what is her
name?"
THAT is just what did not stop to inquire
] will write again to imy lawyer to ask these
questions, and to direct that deed of con-
veyance be made out Immediately, and then
darling"
His lips trembled moment-yet he stroye
manlully to complete the bitter sentence:
''rhen l will begin life over again."
And Edith's loving eyes told him what she
thought of his selfabnegation-a sweet testi-
monial!
"Hemw said Dr. Wylls, polishing his eye
glasses with crimson silk pocket-handker-
chief;"I didn't know the fellow had so much
stamina about nina very honorable thing
TO do. Edith have never felt certain about
Phil. Acre being worthy of you before"
Papa
"But my mind is made up now. When is
he coming again?"
"This evening"" faltered Edith, her violet
eyes softly dropping
Tell him Edith that he may have you next
Wednesday, just the same as ever! And as
for law practicing there is time enough for
that afterwards. Child don't strange me with
your kisses keep 'em for Phil"
He looked after his Iau Uhfar with avae that