The Van Buren press., 1869-06-15
MISCELLANY.
Out of the Darkness.

The hour hand Of Phillip Acres old
fashioned silver watch was pointing to
the figure s, the snug red curtains shut
out the rain and darkness Of the March
night, and the fire snapped and cracked
behind the red hot bars Of the little CRATE
in most comfortable sort Of way,
casting rosy shine inte the thoughtful
brown eyes that were tracing castles and
coronets in the brightly burning Goals.
For Phillip Acre was, for once indulg-
ing himself in the dangerous fascinatons
of a day dream. .
"If were only rich y he pondered to
himself. "Ah, if! Then goodbye to all
these musty law books; goodbye to
mendcd boots and turned coats, and all
the ways and means that turn mans life
into wretchcd bondage Wouldn't revel
in new books and delicious paintings,
and high stepping horses Wouldn't /
buy set Of jewels for Edith-not pale
pearls, or sickIy emeralds, but diamonds
to blaze like links Of fire upon her royal
throat Wouldn't I-what nonsense Pm
talking, though" he cried suddenly to
himself; 4" Phil. Acre, hold your tongue.
did suppose you were fellow of more
sense. Here you are neither rich nor dis .,
tinguishcd, but simple law student
while Edith Wyllis is as far above your
moon struck separations rs the Queen Of
Njuht harsa,ft Che Io--- 49,, - O. /,
she will wait, and the time may one day
come. If only DR.. Wyllis were not dis.
trustful Of fellow? However, / must
learn to prove myself worthy Of the
sweetest prize that ever-hall0o come
in, there, whoever you are"
1t was only the serving maid of the
lodging house, carrying a letter in the
corner Of her apron, between her finger
and thumb. .t#
please, sir, the postman has just left
it."
"All right Katy. Now, them he
added, as the door closed behind katy's
substantial back, "lct's see what my un-
known correspondent has to say. A
black seal, ell Not having any relations
to lose. l am not alarmed at the prog
nostc.'
lie broke the seal, and glanced leisure
ly over a short, business like communica-
ton contained within, with face that va
ried from incredulous surprise to sudden
gladness.
Am | dreaming p he murmured, rub
bing his eyes, and shaking himself, as if
to insure complete possession Of his
senses. "No, I'm wide awake, and in
nv mind; it is no delusion--psrt Of my
waking visions. But who would ever
.uppose that old Thomas Mortimer,
whom haven't seen since was boy
sixteen, and picked him ont Of the RIVER
half dead between cramp and frlGh.,
would die and leave me all his money
Why, I'm not the shadow Of a relation
but then never heard that the old man
had any kith or kin, so ] caa't imagine
any harm in taking advantage Of his ODD
freak Rich-am | really to be rich
Is nv Aladdin vision to be an actual fact
Oh, Edith, Edith"
lie claspcd both hands over his eyes
sick and giddy with the thought that tht
lovely far off star Of his alteration woulC
be brought near to him at last by thu
magnet, gold All those years ofpatien
waiting were to be bridged over by thu
strange old miscr's bequest; he nigh
claim Edith now.
How full OF heart sunshine were thu
weeks that fitted over the head ofthc &C
ceptcd lover, frightened by Edith!
smile-made beautiful by the soft radi
ancc of Edith's love- There was onl,
one alloying shadow-thc almost imper
ceptihlc touch Of distrust and suspicion
with which stern old DR.. Wyllis regarded
his future son.in law. All F! he feared tC
trust hi. only child to the keeping ofan.
man who had not been proved in the fer.
furnanco Of trial.
1t was precisely week before the day
appointed for the wedding, and the sof
lights veiled by shades of ground glass
were just lighted in DR.. Wyllis' drawing
room, where Edith sat among her whit
roses and helriotropes working on q bi
of cambric runling, and singing to her
self. She was slender, beautiful girI
with beautiful eyes, n blue veincd fore
head, and glossy abundant curls OF tha
pale gold that our painters love TO por
tray
IL wonder if Montimcr Place is S
very lovely" she said to q sllverha'rc
lady who sat opposite. " Phillips 90
inp to take me there when we retur
from our wedding tour, nunty; he say
it is tho sweetest place poets fancy ca
devise. with fountains and shruoperle
and delicious 'copses. Oh, shall we nc
, be happy thereT ,. .,a,
, She started up, with a bright suude
blush, for even while the worus wei
.rou, Hing IN her lips, Phillip Acre can