The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1869-03-31
THE MIsRR,s BEQUEsT.

|
to the figue 8, the snug red curtains
shut out the rain and darkness of the
March night, and the fire snapped
and cracked behind the red-hOt hars
of the little CRATE in a most comforta.
| bic sort of way, casting q rosy shine
into the thoughtful brown eyes that
We're tracing castles and corouets In
the brightly burning Goals. For Phil
ip Acre was, for once, indulging him.
self in the dangerous destinations of a
day dream.
"If were only rich ~ he pondered
himself. ''Ah, if Then gOod-by to
all these musty laW-bOoks; good by
to mended boots and tarned coats,
and all the ways and means that turn
a mans life into WreIched bondage.
Wouldn't reveI in new books and
delicious paintings, and housekeeping
| horses? Wouldn'tI buy a set of jew
| els fo-. Edith-not pale pearls, or sick
I ly emeralds, but diamonds, to blaze
like links offire upon her royal throat!
! Wouldn't What nonsense Pm talk
ing, though !' he cried suddenly to
himself; ''Phil Acre, hold your
| tongue. I did suppose you were a
! 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 as
piratiOns as the Queen of Night her
self! She loves me, though-she will
wait and the time may one day
come. If only DIR. Wyllis were not
distrustful of a fellow However, 1
must learn to prove myself worthy of
the sweetest prize that eVer-HallOoi
come in, there, whoever you are J"
1t was only the serving maid of the
lodging house, carrying letter In the
corner of her apron, between her
finger and thumb,
''Please, sir, the pOstman has just
left it,"
'tAll right, Katy. Now, them" he
added, as the door closed behind Ka-
ty's substantial back, ''let's see what
my unknown correspondent has to
say. A black seal, Ell? Not having
any relations to lose, | am not alarm
ed at the prognostic.n
He broke the seal and glanced Ieis-
urely over the short, business-like
communication contained within,
with face that varied from incredu-
lous surprise to sudden gladness.
cam l dreaming? ?" he murmured,
rubbing his eyes. and shaking him
self, as if to insure complete possess
ion of his senses. "No, Pm wide
awake, and in my mind; it is no de-
lusion--Qo part of my waking visions. |
But who would ever suppose that old |
Thomas Mortimer, whom / haven't |
seen since was a 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, |
Pm not the shadow of a relation but |
then ! never heard that the old man |
had any kith or kin, so l can't imag- /
inc any harm in taking advantage Of
his old freak. Rich-am I really to
be rich? Is my Aladdin vision to be
an actual fact? oh, Edith Edith !"
He claSped both hands over his eyes,
sick and giddy with the thought that
the lovely far-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 be bridged
over by the strange old miser's be-
quest; he might claim Edith now.
How full of heart sunshine were
The weeks that fitted over the head of
he accepted lover, frightened by
Edith's smile-made beautiful by the
Ioft radiance of Edith's love. There
vas only one aIloying shadOw-the
Utmost imperceptible touch of distrust
md suspicion with which stern old
Dr.: Wyllis regarded his future son-in-
aw. All he feared to trust his only
hid to the keeping of any man who |
lad not been proved in the fiery fur
lace of trial.
1t was precisely q week before the '
lay appointed for the wedding, and &
he SOFT lights, veiled by shades of
round glass, were just lighted in
)r. Wyllis's draWing-room, where !
edith sat among her white roses and r
working on bit of cam t
rlc ruftiing, and singing to herself.
he was slender, beautiful girl, with
eyes, a blue-veined forehead,
nd glossy abundant curls of that pale
old that our painters love to portray. I
II wonder If Mortimer Place is so q
cry lovely" she said to q silver 5
aired lady who sat opposite. 'tPhiI-
, is going TO take me there when we L
eturn from our wedding tour, aunty; Q
e says 1t Is the sweetest place poets 4
lncy can devise, with fountains and Ii
lrubberies and delicious copses. Oh, ?
hall we not be happy there ?" II
She started up, with a bright, sud-
en- blush, for even while the words T
ere trembling on her lips Philip .
ere came into the room, his hand
)me face looking little troubled, +
et cheerful Withal. Mrs. Wyllis,
'1th an arch nod at her niece, disap-
esred into the perfumed perspective
the conservatory, leaving the low a
-s to themselves. II
You are looking grave, Philip" o
Id Edith, as he bent over and kissed 81
9r cheek. III
Sand am feeling so, darling. 1 l.
ave very unpleasant disclosure to II
AXE to night: Our marriage must be e
)stponed indefinitely" "
''Philip, for what reason ?'' fC
ITO enable me, by diligent labor at ~
y profession, to realize sufficient IL
cans to support you, dearest, in a sc
Ianner satisfactory to your fathers OF
,pectations and my own wishes" ~
But, Philip, 1 thought" 81
"YOu thought me the heir of Thorn IN
Mortimer's wealth? ? So 1 was,
dith, few claim to it now. When T,
accepted the bequest, it was under p,
e impression that no distant cousin I,
a WOman-is alive, although my tn
Wyer tells me, she is in ignorance of hs
4 relationship to Thomas Mortimer. m
course, l shall transfer the proper pr
to her Immediately" qU
But, Philip, the will has made it
yally yours" M
Legally it has but Edith, could 1 f.
7Oncile it to my ideas of truth and of
nor to avail myself of old Morti- mr.
er'S fanclful freak, at this woman's 81
pensef 1 might take the boarded III
.alth, but 1 should never respect M
yself again could dream of legally ia
the rightful heir. Nay,
Arrest, may lose name and wealth, NJ,
{ 1 would rather die than suffer q ~ ~
gle stain on my honor as Chris vls Svs
n gentleman" SS1
You have done right, Philip, said 81 -,
Iitb, with sparkling eyes. 1--WE '-''
II wait and hope on, happy in low !
, one another more dearly than eV- ~
But VINO is she ? What is her t?Gg
me?" the
That's just what 1 didn't stop to WI
luire. 1 will write again to my lie
Vyer to ask these questions, and to
ect that deed of conveyance be cit
family made; and then, darling" Ge
His lips quivered a moment-yet lat
manfully completed the bitter SEN COZ
ce. Then l Will commence the me
tile of life over again. ING
And Edith's loving eyes told him
q