Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-12-25
TIE nF1sER.s BEouEsr.


eight-the snug red curtains shut out th'
rain and darkness of ths March night, and th'
fire snapped and cracked behind the red-ho
bars of the little eozy and comfortable sort o
way, casting rosy shine into the thougbtfa
brown eyes that were trasinE castles and coro-
nets in the burning Goals.
For Philip Acre was, for once, indulging
himself in the dangerous faeination of = day
dream.
eff were only rich % he pondersd to him
self "Ah if! Then goodbye to all those
musty old law books goodbye to mended
boOts and thrice turned coats, and all the ways
and means that turn mans life into Wretched
bsndageI Wouldn't I revel in new books
and delicious paintings and high stepping hors-
es? Wouldn't 1 buy set Of ofjeWels for Edith
NOT pale pearls nor siekly emeralds, but dia-
msnds, to blaze like links of FIRE upon her
pearfy thrOEtf WouIdH,t What nonsense
I am talking tho" he cried, suddenly rousing
himself. "Phile Acre, hold your confounded
tongue I did suppose you were a fellow of
more sense. Here you are, neither rich nor
distinguished, whiIe Edith Wyllis is as far
above your meonstruck aspirations as the
Queen Of Night herself She loves me, though
she will Wait-and the time may one day
come However, must learn to prove my
self worthy of the sweetest prize that ever
Hello come in there who ever you are !'
1t was only the serving maid of the estab-
lishmeut carrying letter in the corner of her
apron, between her thumb and finger.
Please, sir, the pOstman just left tive
cents to payP'
afu
pretty fair equivalent for any letter I may re-
csiVe. Now, then," he added, as the deor clos
ed behind Katys substantial back, "let's see
what my unknown correspondent has to say.
A black seal, Ell? Not having any. relations
to lose, am not alarmed at the prognostic."
He broke the seal, and glanced leisurely
over the short, businsss-like communication
contained Within with a face that varied from
incredulous surprise to sudden gladness.
Am dreaming?" he murmered TO himself,
rubbing his eyes and shaking himself as if to
insure complete possession of his senses. mo
I'm wide awake and in my right mind it is no
delusien-no part of my waking visions But
who would ever suppose that old Theron Nor
timer, whom haven't seen since was boy
sixteen, and picked him out of the river half
dead between cramp and fright, would die and
leave me all his money. Why, I'm not even a
shadow of relation but, then, never heard
that the old man had any kith or kin, so I can't
imagine any harm in taking advantage of
this odd freak. Rich-am really to be rich
is my Alladin vision to be an actual fact. o,
Edith Edith p
He clasped both hands over his eyes, sick
and giddy with the thought that the lovely, far
of star of his alteration would be brought near
to him at last by the magnet Gold. All those
years of patient waiting were to be bridged
over by the strange old misers bequest he
might claim Edith now.
How full OF heart-sun-shine were the weeks
that fitted over the head of the accepted lover
frightened by Edith's smile-made beautiful
by the soft radiance of Edith's love! There
was only one alloying shadow-the almost i'm
touch of distrust and suspicion
with which DR.. Wyllis regarded his future SOU
n-law. All he feared to trust bis oaly child
to the keeping of any man who had not beer
proved in the fiery furnace of trial.
It was precisely week before the day; Zap
pointed for the wedding, and the soft lights
veiled by shades of ground glass, were just
lighted in DR.. Wyllis' drawing room, where
Edith sat among her white roses and heliotrope
working on bit of canbric ruffiiHg, and sing |
ng TO herself. She was a slender, beautiful
girl, with violet~blue eyes, blueveined forhead
md glossy abundant curls of that pale gold that
I'D painters loved to portray.
wonder if Mortimer Place is so very love
y" she said to a silver-haired lady who sat op-
,osite. Philip is going to take me there
Thsn we return from our wedding tour, Aunty;
le says it is the sweetest place a poets fancy
,ouId devise, with fountains and strawberries and
,reen delicious copses. o, shall we Rot be nap
y there ?" -s..
She started up, with a bright sudden blush,
or even while the words were trembling Cd her
ip, Philip Acre came into the room, his hand
ome face looking little troubled, yet cheerful
Hithal. Mrs. Wyllis, with an arch nod at her
liece, disappeared into the perfumed perspect-
We of the conservatory, leaving the lovers to
hemselVes.
You are looking grave, Philip" said Edith
IS he bent over and kissed her cheek.
And 1 am feeling SO, darling, I have a
7ery unpleasant disclosure to make tonight
,ur marriage must be postponed Indefinitely"
90 Philip fer what reason ?'
To enable me by diligent labor at my pro.
ession to realize sufficient means TO support
vou, dearest, in a manner satisfactory to your
ather's expectations and my own wishes"
But, Philip, I thought"
I" You thought me the heir of Philip Horti- |
nef's wealth. So was, Edith, few hours
inse, but have relinquished all claims to it |
low. When accepted the bequest, was un- |
Ter the impression that no living heir existed. |
learned to-day that distant eousin-a woman |
-is alive, although my lawyer tells me, in ig- |
loranee of her relationship 10 Theron Mortimer. |
1f course shall transfer the property to her |
Immediately"
But, Philip, the will has made it legally
,oursr r'
Legally, it has; but Edith, could recon
.ile it to my ideas of truth and honor to avail |
myself of old Mortimer's fanciful freak at this |
expense? might take the boarded |
wealth, but l should never respect myself again, |
,ould dream of legally defrauding the right
ul heir. Nay, dearest, may lose name and |
veal th, but would rather die than suffer q sin
lie stain on my homer as christian gentle !
nan I"
" You have done right, Philip" said Edith |
Vith sparkling eyes. " We will wait, aud hope |
N, happy in loving one another more dearly |
han ever. But who is she, what is her name ?"
That d" is just what didn't stop to inquire
will write again to my lawyer to ask these
questions, and to direct that a deed of convey
nee be instantly made out, and then, darl-
ng-"
His lip quivered a mOment-yet he manfully
,ompleted the sentence:
Then I will bep in the hattie of life over