, 1864-04-30
The Miser's Bequest.

out the RAIN and dafkneSS OF the Marcn
night and the fire snapped and cracked be-
hind the red-hot bar Of the little CRATE in a
most cozy and comfortable sort Of way,
casting rosy shine into the thoughtful
brown eyes that were tracing castles and
coronets in the burning Goals.
For Philip Acre was, for once, indulging
himself in the dangerous fascinations of a
day dream.
"If were only rich" he pondcred to
himself. "Ak, if. Then goodbye to all
those musty old law-books; goodbye to the
mended boots and thrice turned coats, and
all the ways aud means that turn mans
life into wretched bondage! Wouldn't !
revel in new books and delicious paintings
and high stepping horsesy Wouldn't ]
buy set of jewels for Edith-not pale
pearls or sickly emcralds, but diamonds to
blaze like links Of fire upon herroyal throat !!
Wouldn't what nonsense I'm talking,
though" he cried, suddenly rousing him
self. "Phil Acre, hold your confounded
tongue! | did suppose you were fellow
of more sense! Here you are, neither rich
nor distinguished, but a simple law student,
while Edith Wyllis is as far above your
mOon-struck aspirations as the Queen Of
night herself! She loves Inc, though-she
will wait-and the time may one day come
If only DR.. Wyilis were not so distrustful
Of fellow. However, / must learn to
prove myself worthy of the sweetest prize
that ever-Halloo. come in there, who
ever you are.
1t was only the serving maid of the cs.
tablishment carrying letter in the corner
of her apron between her finger and
thumb.
"Pleasc, sir, the postman just left it
two cents to pay"
Z" Here are your two coppers, then, Katy
"a pretty fair equivalent for any letter !
may receive. Now, then, he added as the
door closed behind Katy's substantial back
"let's see what my unknown correspondent
has to say. A black seal, Ell! Not hav-
ing any relations to lose, am not alarmed
at the prognostic y
He broke the seal, and glanced leisurely
over the short, busipess-like communication
contained within, with face that varied
from incredulous surprise to sudden glad
ness.
sam / dreaming?" he murmurcd to
himself as If to insure complete possession
of his Senses "No, I'm wide awake and
in my right mind; it is no delusion, no part
Of my waking visions! But who would
ever suppose that old Theron Mortimer,
whom | haven't seen since l was boy of
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 the shadow of relation; but
then, never heard that the old man had
kith or kin, so l can't imagine any harm in
taking advantage Of his odd freak Rich
am | really to be rich? Oh, Edith |!
Edith
He clasped both hands over his eyes, sick
and giddy with the thought that the loved,
far-Off starof his alteration would be brought
near to him at least by the magnet Of gold.
All those years Of beartless waiting were to
be bridged over blythe 7sIrange old miser's
bequest; he might claim Edith nowl
How full Of heart sunshine were the
weeks that fitted over the head Of the ac-
cepted lOver-brightened by Edith's love!
There was only one alloying shadow-the
most imperceptible touch Of disgust aud
suspicion with which stern old DIR. Wyllis
regarded his future son-in-law. All he
feared to trust his only child to the keeping
Of any man who had not been proved in
the fiery furnace Of trial.
IL r,as ,,~ootaol., Il 1.ne,ro tl,n .,.aI
ding, and the soft lights veiled by shades of
ground glass were just lighted IN DR.. WyL
lis's drawing-room, where Edith sat among
her white roses aud heliotropc, working on
a bit Of cambric ruffiing, and singing to
herself. She was slender, beautiful girl,
with violet gray eyes, a high, blue-veined
forehead, and glossy abundant curls Of that
kind old painters love to portray.
g "Iwonder if Mortimer Place is so very
lovely" she said to asilver-haired lady who
sat opposite. "Philip is going to take me
there, whoa we return from our wedding
tour, auntyj he says it is the sweetest spot
a poets fancy would devise, with fountains
and strawberries aud green delicious copses
Oh! shall we not be happy theres"
She started up with bright, sudden
blush, for, even while the words were tren-
bling on her lip, Philip Acre came into the
room, his handsome face looking little
troubled, yet cheerful withal. Mrs Wyllis,
with an arch nod at her niece, disappeared
into the perfumed perspective Of the con-
servatory, leaving the lovers to themselves.
g You are looking grave, Philip" said