, 1864-02-13

He clasped both hands over his eyes, sick
and giddy with the thought that the loved,
far off star of his alteration would be brought
near to him by the magnet of gold. All
those years of patient waiting were to be
bridged over by the strange old miser's be-
quest he might claim Edith now
] How full of heart-sunshine were the
zeeks that fitted over the head of the ac-
eepted lover frightened by Edith's smile,
made beautiful by the soft radiance of
Ediths love- There was only one alloying
shadowing almost imperceptible touch
of distrust and suspicion with which stern
old DR. 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 by the fiery furnace of trial
1t was precisely week before the day ap-
pointed for the wedding, and the soft lights
yelled by shades of ground glass were just
lighted in DR.. Wyllis' drawing room, where
Edith sat among her white roses and hello
tropes, working on bit of cambric rufling,
and singing to herself She was a slender,
beautiful girl, with violet gray eyes, blue
veined forehead, and glossy abundant curls
Of that kind old painters love to portray.
4 wonder if Mortimer Place is so very
lovely she said to silver-haired lady who
sat opposite phillip is going to take me
there, when we return from our wedding
tour, aunty he says it is the sweetest spot
a poets fancy could devise, with fountains
and shrubberies, and green delicious copses !
Oh shall we not be happy there
She started up, with bright, sudden,
blush, for, even while the words were trem-
bling on her lip, Phillip Acre came into the
room, his handsome face looking a 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.
you are looking grave, Philip, said
Edith, as he bent over and kissed her cheek.
'And I am feeling so, darling. [ have a
very unpleasant disclosure to make tonight
our marriage must be postponed, indef-
nitely'
phillip for what reason
TO enable me by dilligent labor at my
profession to realize sufficient means to sup
port you, dearest, in a manner satisfactory to
your fathers expectations and my own
wishes
But, Phillip, thought
you thought me the heir of Theron Nor
timers wealth ? So I was, Edith, few
hours since, but 1 have relnquished all
claim to it now. When [ accepted the be-
quest, I was under the impression that no
living heir existed I learned to-day that a
distant cousin-a woman-is alive, although
my lawyer tells me, in Ignorance of her re-
latlonship to Theron Mortimer Of course,
I shall transfer the property to her immedi-
ately'
But, Phillip, the will has made it legally
yours
Legally, it is; Edith, could reconcile it
to my ideas of truth and honor to avail my
self of old Mortimer's fanciful freak at this
womans expense, might take the boarded
wealth, but should never respect myself
again could dream of legally defrauding the
rightful heir Nay, dearest, I may lose
name and wealth, but l would rather die
than suffer a single stain on my honor as a
Christian gentleman
You have done right, Philip said
Edith, with sparkling eyes. EWe will wait
and hope on, happy in loving one another
more dearly than ever. But who is she !?
what is her name p
That's just what didn't stop to inquire
I will write again to my lawyer to ask these
questions and to direct that deed of con-
veyanCe be instantly made out, and then
darling
His lips quivered a moment-yet he
manfully completed the bitter sentence:
Then 1 will begin the battle of life over
again p
And Edith's loving eyes told him what
she thought of his noble selfabnegation-
sweet testimonial
Hem said DR.. Wyllis, polishing his
eyeglasses magisterially with a crimson silk
pocket handkerchief 4 didn't suppose the
young fellow had so much stamina about
him-a very honorable thing to do. Edith,
have never felt exactly certain about Phil
Acres being worthy Of you before
Papa
But my mind is made up now. When
is he coming again ?
This evening, sir faltered Edith, the
violet eyes softly dropping.
Tell him Edith, that he may have you
next Wednesday, just the same as ever !
And as for the law practicing-why there
is time enough for that afterwards Child
don't strangle me with your kisses-keep
'em for Phil
He looked after his daughter with eyes
that were strangely dim.
Tried and not found wanting ? he NUT
tered indistincty.
The perfume of orange blossoms had died
away, the glimmer of pearls and satin were
hidden lin velvet caskets and travelling
trunks-and Mr.. and Mrs. Acre, old married
people of full weeks duration, were driven
along the shores of the Hudson in the am
Der glow of glorious June sunset.
Halo; which way is Thomas going !? said
Phillip, leaning from the window, as the
carriage turned out of the shore road.
81 told him the direction to take, PhilY
said Edith, with bright sparkling eyes.
Let me have my own way, just for once
We are going to our new home
Are we p said Phil, with comical grim