The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-09-22
SAINT PAUL. FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 1865 '~2.a

just lighted in DR.. Wyllis' drawing room,
where Edith sat working on bit Of cam
brio ruffling, and singing to herself.
81 wender ifMortimer Place is 80 very
lovely" she said to a silver-haired lady
who sat opposite her. "Philip is going
to take me there when we return from our
wedding tour. he says 1t is the sweetest
spot fancy could devise, with fountains,
shrubbery and delicious copses Shall we
not be happy there?"
She started up with a blush, for while
the words were still on her lips, Philip
Acre came into the room, looking little
troubled, yet cheerful withal. Mrs. Wyl-
lisdisappeared into the conservatory, leav-
ing the lovers alone.
'You sre looking grave, Philip" said
Edith, as he bent over and kissed her,
81 ana feeling 90 darling. I have a
very unpleasant disclosure to make-our
marriage must be postponed indefinitely"
"Philip, for what reason2"
"To enable me to realize sufficient to
support you in becoming manner.
"But, Philip, I thought"
"You thought me the heir of Thereon
Mortlmer's wealth? So was, Edith, a
few hours since, but have relinquished
all claim to it now. When accepted the
bequest, it wss under the impression that
no living heir existed. learned to-day
that cousin-a woman-is alive, in ig-
norance of her relationship. Of course, I
shall Immediately transfer all the property
to her,"
But, Philip, the will has made it le-
gally yours.
Legally, it is; could I reconcile it to
my ideas of truth and honor to avail N.Y.
self of old Mortimer's fanciful freak, at
this womans expense, l might take the
boarded wealth, but I should never re-
spect myself again. Gould I dream Of
legally defrauding the rightful heir
Nay, dearest, may lose name and wealth,
but ! would rather die than suffer single
stain on my honor as Christian gentle
man."
You have done right, Philip" said
Edith, with sparkling eyes. "We will
wait, and hope on, happy in loving one
another more dearly than ever. But who
is she3 what is her name ?"
"That's just what / didn't stop to in
quire. Twill write again to my lawyer to
ask the questions and to direct that q
deed of conveyance be instantly made out,
and then, darfng-"
His lips quivered moment, yet be man
fully completed the bitter sentence:
"Then will begin the battle of life
over again"
And Edith's loving eyes told him what
she thought of his noble self-abnegation, q
sweet testimonial!
"Hem - said DR.. Wyllis, polishing bis
eyeglasses magisterially with crimson
silk pocket-handkerchief; II didn't think
the young fellow had so much stamina
about him-an 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 HOW. When,
is he coming again ?''
"This evening, sir, :faltsred Edith, the
violet eyes softly dropping
TELL him, Edith, that be may have yon
next Wednesday, just the ssme as ever !.
And as for the Law practicing-vhy there's
time for that Afterwards Child, don't
strsngle ME With your kisses-ksep .em
for Phil
He looked at his daughter with eyes
that were strangely dim. ,
"Tried and not found wantingi" he
muttered indistinctly.
The perfume OF orange blossoms had
died away, the glimmer of pearls and
satin was hidden in velvet caskets and
travelling trunks, and Mr.. and Mrs. Acre,
old married people of a full weeks dura-
ton, were driving along the shores of the
Hudson in the amber glow of glorious
June sunset,
"Hallo! which way is Thomas 60
ings" said Philip, leaning from the win
dow, as the carriage turned out Of the
shore road
81 told him the road to take, Phil. %
said Edith, with bright sparkling eyes.
"Let me have my own way just for once.
We are going to our new home"
Are we?" said Phil, with a comical
grimacey
"Wait until you see, sir." said Mrs.
Acre, pouting up little rosebud of a
mouth. And Philip "waited duteously.
"Where are We ?"he asked in astonish-
ment, when the carriage drove up in front
of stately-built portico, which seemed
not entirely unfamiliar to him. "Surely,
this is Mortimer Placer"
81 shouldn't be surprised if it was, y
said DR.. Wyllis, emerging from the door
way: Walk in, my boy-come, Edith !
Well, how do you ike the looks of your
new house?"
"Our new house?" repeated Philip. 4"
do not understand you, SIR"
"Why, / mean that your little wife yon-
der is the sole surviving relative of The
reon Mortimer, although she never knew
of it until this morning. Her mother was
old Mortimers cousin, but some absurd
quarrel had caused total cessation of in.
| tercourse between the two branches of ths