American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-04-03

nodo, dilu SlOSSy, dDuuudnt cuFlS Vi
that pale gold that our painters love
to portray.
1 wonder if Mortimer Place is so
very lovely 2 she said to silver-hair-
ed lady who sat opposite. 'Philip is
going to take me there when we re-
turn from our wedding tour, aunty
he says it is the sweetest place a po-
cts fancy can devise, with fountains
and strawberries and delicious copses.
Oh, shall we not be happy thereP
She started up with bright, sud
den blush, for even while the words
were trembling on her lips, Philip
Acre came into the room, his hand
some face looking little troubled,
yet cheerful withal. Mrs. Wyllis,
with an arch nod at her niece, disap-
peared, leaving the lovers to them
selves.
you are looking grave, Philip
said Edith, as he bent over and kiss
ed her cheek.
'And 1 am feeling so, darling. /
have d very unpleasant disclosure to
make tonight. Our marriage must
be postponed indefinitely
Philip, for what reasonr
ITO enable me, by diligent labor at
my profession, to realize sufficient
means to support you, dearest, in a
manner satisfactory to your fathers
expectations and my own wishes.'
But, Philip, 1 thought,
you thought me the heir of Thorn
as Mortimer's wealth So I was,
Edith, few hours since, but l have
relinquished all claim toit now. When
l accepted the bequest, 1 was under
the impression that no living heir ex-
listed. learned to-day that a distant
cousin-a woman-is alive, although,
my lawyer tells me, she is in ignor-
ance of her relationship to Thomas
Mortimer. OF course, l shall trans
fer the property to her immediately
But, Philip, the will has made it
legally yours
Legally it has; but, Edith, could
l reconcile it to my ideas of truth
and honor to avail myself of old Nor
timers fanciful freak, at this wOman's
expense? l might take the boarded
wealth, but l should never respect
myself again could l dream of legally
defrauding the rightful heir. Nay,
dearest, / may lose name and wealth,
but l would rather die than suffer a
single stain on my honor as a Chris
tian gentleman
You have done right, Philip said
Edith, with sparkling eyes. EWe
will wait and hope on, happy in low
ing one another more dearly than
ever. But who is she9 What is her
nameT
sThat's just what 1 didn't stop to
inquire. l will write again to my
lawyer, to ask these questions, and
to direct that deed of conveyance
be instantly made out and then, dar-
ling,
His lips quivered a moment-yet
he manfully completed the bitter
sentence. 'Then L will commence
the battle of life over again.
And Edith's loving eyes told him
: what she thought of his noble self
abnegation-a sweet testimonial
Hem said DR.. Wyllis, polishing
his eye glasses magisterially, with {
crimson silk handkerchief; didn'
suppose the young fellow had 81
; much stamina about him--a yer,
r honorable thing to do. Edith,
l have never felt exactly sure abou
, Phil. Acres being worthy of you be
g FORE
/. 'Papap
! But my mind is made up now
: When is he coming againP
t This evening" faltered Edith, tn
, violet eyes dropping again.
Tell him, Edith, that he may hav
e you next Wednesday, just the sam
n as ever! And as for the law pra,
T ticing-why, there's time enough fo
that afterward. Child, don't straI
It gle me with your kisses-keep 'e1
for Phil
g He looked after his daughter wit
d eyes that were strangely dim.
II Tried and not found wanting
k he muttered, indistinctly.
is The perfume of orange blossom
: had died away, the glimmer of pear
and satins were hidden in velvet ca
l. kets and travelling trunks, and M
,e and Mrs. Acre, old married people
n a full months duration, were driviI
T. along a country road, in the amb,
glow of glorious June sunset.
d, 'HallOo! which way is Thomas g
n ing?' said Mr.. Acre.
s. Il have told him where to drive t,
lie said Edith, with bright, sparkliI
e. eyes. Let me have my own wa
IS. just for once. We are going to o.
Id new home
1T Are we p said Phil, with a comic
n, grimace. 1T is to be love in a &C
llf tage, l suppose
Id wait until you see, sir!' said Nj
~ Acre.
Ia Where are we?' he asked in {
at tOnishment, when the carriage DIRE
SO up in front of a stately pillared pc
ne tico, which seemed to be not uni
= miliar to him. Surely this is No
ID timer Placer
IN, Il shouldn't be surprised if it wer
said DR.. Wyllis, emerging from t
lis doorway.
hit Walk in, my boy-come, Edit
I'd Well, how do you like your nj
to hOme?'
All Our new homer replied Phil
ere i do not understand you, sir
I'D why, mean that your little W
i'm yonder is the sole surviving relati
of Thomas Mortimer, although S
ere never knew it till this morning. I
ad mother was old Mortimer's cous
by but some absurd quarrel had caus
jhe a total cessation of intercourse
ere tween the two branches of the fami
the l was aware of the facts long az
lis but | wasn't sorry to avail myself
1rn the opportunity of seeing what ki
fu- of stuff you were made of, Phil. Ac
to And now, as the deed of cOnveyal
OF isn't made out yet, L don't supp
Ted your lawyer need trouble him.
about it. The heiress won't quar-
the with You, I'll be boundr
md Philip Acres cheek flushed, 6
) of then grew pale with hidden emoti
in as he beheld his fair wife stand
ore hpSi0a Kim vban tho cupSat t,,r,