The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-08-19
Misfeuaneolrs.
THE MIsER's BBQUEsT.

The hour hand OF Philip Acres silver watch
Was pointing to the figure eight, the snug red
curtains shut out the rain and darkness Of the
March night, aud the fire snapped and cracked
in the little crate in comfortable sort Of way.
casting rosy shine into the thoughtful brown
eyes that were tracing castles and coronets In
the burning Goals
Philip Acre was, for once. indulging him.
self in the dangerous destinations Of day
dream.
'If were only rich !" he pondered. "Ah
ifl Then goodbye to all these musty, old law
books goodbye to mended boots and thrice
turned coats, and all the ways aud means that
turn a mans life into wretched bondage!
4 Wouldn't revel in new books and delicious
paintings and housekeeping horses! Wouldn't
buy set of jewels for Edith not pale pearls
or sickly emeralds, but diamonds, to blaze like
links of6re upon her royal throat Wouldn't
I--what nonsense I'm talking, though" |" he
CRIED suddenly arousing himself. "Phil Acre,
hold your confounded tongue did suppose
you were fellow Of more sense. Here you
are, neither rich nor distinguished, but simple
law student. while Edith wyllis is as far above
your moonstruck aspirations as the Queen Of
Night herself She loves me, though--she will
wait-and the time may one day come. II only
DR.. wylhs we're not so distrustful of fellow !!
However, l must learn to prove myself worthy
Of the sweetest prize that ever-Hallo come in
there, whoever you are ~
It was only the servant, who handed him q
letter.
Snow. then. let me see what my unknown
correspondent has to say. a black seal, eh !
Not having any relations to lose, am not
alarmed at the prognostic."
He broke the seal, and glanced leisurely over
the short, business. like communication contain
ed within. with face that varied from incred-
ulous surprise to sudden gladness.
"Am dreaming" he murmured to himself,
rubbing his eyes and shaking himself as II to in
sure complete possession of his sefses. "No,
I'm wide awake and in my right mind 1t is no
delusion-no part of my waking visions. But
who would ever suppose that old Theron Nor
timer, whom havn't seen since 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
heard that the old man had any kith of kin, so
can't imagine any harm in taking advantage
of his odd freak. Rich-am really to be rchl
is my Aladdin vision to be an actual fa,tf Oh !!
Edith, Edith"
He clasped both hands over his eyes, sickand
giddy with the thought that the lovely, iar-off
star of his alteration would be brought near to
him at last by the magnet Gold. All those
years OF patient waiting were to bebridged over
by the strange old miser's bequest; he might
claim Edith now!
How full of heart-sunshine were the weeks
that fitted over the head OF the accepted lover,
Frightened by Ediths smile, and made beauti.
ful By the soft radiance of Edth's love. There
was only one alloying shadow-the almost i'm
perceptble couch Of distrust and suspicion
with which 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
proved in the fiery furnace Of trial
II was precisely week before the day APP
pointed for the wedding, and the soft lights,
yeiled By shades OF ground grass, were just
lighted in DIR. wyllis's drawing room. where
Edith sat among her white roses and heliotrope,
working on bit Of cambric rufiing, and sing
ing to herself She was slender, beautiful
girl, with violet gray eyes, a blue-veined fore
head. and glossy abundant curls of that pale
gold that old painters love to portray.
81 wonder il Mortimer Place is so very love-
ly," she said to silycr-haired lady who sat
opposite. "Philip is going to take me there
when we return from our wedding tour, aunty.
He says il is the sweetest place poets fancy
could devise, with fountains and strawberries
aud green, delicious copscs. Oh shall we not
be happy there -
She started up with bright, sudden blush,
for, even while the words were trembling 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. went into the conservatory, leav-
ing the lovers to themselves.
"You are looking grave, Philip" Edith said.
as he bent over and kissed her cheek.
'And l am feeling so, darling. have q very
unpleasant disclosure to mako to-night-our
marriage must be indefinitely postponed.
"Philip for what reason!" .t
ITO enable me, by d,ligent labor at my pro-
fessiou, to realize sufficient means to support
you, dearest, in manner satisfactory to your
fathers expectations and my own wishes"
"But, Philip, thought"
"You thought me the heir Of Theron Morti-
mers wealth. so was, Edith, a few hours
since. but have relinquished oil claim to 1t
now. When accepted the bequest. was un-
der the impression that no living heir existed.
| / learned to-day that a distinct cousin-a wo.
man.-is alive, although. my lawyer tells me, In
ignorance ofhcr relationship to Theron Morti
mer. Ofcourse, shall transfer the property
to her Immediately"
"Bat, Philip, the will has made 1t legally
yours"
Legally. it has. But Edith, could recon-
cilc 1t to my ideas Of truth and honor to avail
myself of old Mortimer's fanciful freak Mt this
woman's expense, might take tho boarded
wealth. but should never respect myself again
Could dream OF legally defrauding the right
ful heir, Nay. dearest, may lose name and
wealth. but would rather die than sutfers sin.
Gle stain on my honor as Christian gentle
. man - -,,N