Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-11-17
5fliscellany.
The NIiser's Heir.


fashioned silver watch was pointing to
the figure eight: the snug red curtains
shut out the rain and darkness of the
March night, and the fire snapped and
cracked behind the hot bars of the CRATE
in a most cosy and comfortable sort of a
way, castinga rosy shine into the thought
fu brown eyes that were tracing castles
and coronets in the brightly burning
Goals.
For Philip Acre was, for once, induIg'
ing himself in the dangerous fascination
of Gay dream.
"If | were only rich ~ he pondered TO
himself. "Ahl if. Then goodbye to
all these musty old law books; goodbye
TO mended boots and turned coats, all the
ways and means which turn mans life
into wretched bondage Wouldn't | rev.
ell in new books, and delicious paintings,
and high stepping horses. Wouldn't !
buy set Of jewels for Edith-not pale
pearls or siekly emeralds but diamonds,
TO blaze like links of fire upon her royal
throat Wouldn't What nonsense Tn
talking, though" he cried suddenly to
himself. "Philip Acre, hold your tongue.
did suppose you were fellow of more
sense. Here you are, neither rich nor
distinguished, but simple law student;
while Edith Wyllis is as far above your
moon-struck aspirations as the queen OF
night herself? She loves me though-she
will wait--and the time will one day
come. If only DIR. WHY'S were not so
oistrustful of fellow However, / must
learn to prove myself worthy of the
sweetest prize that ever-hallo come in
there, whoever you are !"
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."
Gall right Katy. Now them" he add
ed, as the door closed behind Katys sub
stantial back, "let's see what my I'M
known correspondent has to say. A black
seal, Ell? Not having any relation to
lose, lam not alarmed at the prognostic. "
He broke the seal glanced over the
short business communication contained
within, with face varied from incredu-
lous surprise to sudden gladness.
"Am dreaming?" he murmured rub
bling his eyes and shaking himself, as il
to insure complete possession of his senses
No, Tn wide awake, and in my RICH
mind; it is no delusion-no part of my
waking visions. Bot who would hav,
supposed taat old Thomas Mortimer
whom | haven't seen since | was DO,
of sixteen, and picked him out of tn
river half dead between cramp and fright
would die and leave me all his money
Why I'm not the shadow of relation
but then | never heard the old man ha,
any kith or kin, so | can't imagine an
barn in taking advantage OF this Cd
freak. Rich-am I really to be rich
Is my Aladdin vision to be an actua
fact? Oh, Edith! Edith"
lie clasped both hands over his eyes
sick and giddy with the thought that tn
1oual, f,r oT ctor - G l. :, i
be brought up near him at last by tb
magnet gold. All those years of patien
waiting we're TO be bridged over by th
strange oil miser's bequest; be Nigh
claim Edith now.
How full of heart shine were the week
that fitted over the heart of the accep
ed lover-brightened by Edith's smile
made beautiful by the soft radiance {
Edith's love. There was one alloyip
shadow-the most imperceptible touc
of distrust and suspicion which stern oil
DIR. Wyllis regarded his future son-ir
law. All he feared to trust his onl
child to the keeping of any man VIII
had not been proved in the fiery furnac
of trial.
1t was precisely a week before the da
appointed for the wedding, and the sol
lights yelled by shades of ground glas
wore just lighted in DIR. Wyllis's draw
ing room, where Edith sat among h,
white roses and heliotropes, working ,
bit of cambria rufiiing, and singing |
herself She was a slender beautif
girl with violet eyes, blue veined for
head. and glossy curls of that pale col
that old painters love to portray.
Il wonder if Mortimer's place is
very lonely y she said TO a silver haire
lady who sat opposite. philip is goir
to take me there when we return fro
our wedding tour aunty he SAYS it
the sweetest place poets fancy can d
wise, with fountains and strawberries ar
delicious copses. Oh, shall we not
happy there ?"
She started up, with bright, sud-,
blush; for even while the words we
frpm hliptr IN bar ltne