The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1871-10-12

is going to take me there when we re
turn from our wedding tour, aunty; he
says it is the sweetest place poet:
fancy can devise, with fountains anc
Strawberries and delicious copscs. Oh
shall We not be happy there
1 She started up, with bright, sud
den blush for even while the word:
were trembling on her lips, Philip
Acre cam, into the room. His hand
some face was grave, looking little
troubled, yet cheerful withal. Mrs
Wyllis. with an arch nod at her neice
disappeared into the pertumed per.
spcctive of the conservatory, leaving
the lovers to themselves.
"You are looking grave, Philip
said Edith, Us he bent over and kissed
her check.
II am feeling so, darling. have a
very unpleasant disclosure to make to-
night our marriage must be post
poned indefinitely"
"Phillip, for what reason ?"
"To enable mo, by dilisent labor at
my profession, to realize sufficient
means to support you, dearest. in a
manner satisfactory to your fathers
expectations and nay wiShes.'
"Bat Philip. I thought"
"You thought me heir of Thomas
Mortimer's wealth? So l was, Edith,
few hours since; but l have re-
linquished all claims to it now. When
I accepted the bcqucst [ was under
the impression that no living heir cx-
listed. learned to-day that distant
cousin Ga woman) is alive, although,
my lawyer tells me, in ignorance OF
her relationship to Thomas Mortimer.
OF course, | shall transfer the proper
ty to her immediately"
"But, Philip, the will has made it
legally yours"
illegally it has; but Edith, could |
reconcile it to my idea Of truth and
honesty to avail myself Of old MortI-
mer's tanciiul freak, at this woman $
expense? l might take the boarded
wealth, but l never could respect my
self again, could l dream OF legally
deirauding the rightful heir Nay,
dearest, l may lose name and wealth,
but 1 would rather die than suffer q
single stain on my honor as Chris
tian gentleman"
You have done right, Philip" said
Edith, with spark!ingeyes. 1--WE will
wait, and hope on, happy in loving
one another more dearly than ever:
! But who is this distant relative and
hciress?
"Tha's inst what I didn't stop to in
quire. will go again to my lawyer
to ask these questions. ard to direct
that deed Of conveyance be made
out and then, darling-,
His lips quivcrcd u moment, yet he
manfully completed The sentence-
"7Aen I will begin The battle OF life
9ver again"
And Edith's loving eyes told him
what she thought Of his seli-ubncga-
tion-a sweet testimonial.
"Heta," said DR.. Wyllis polishing
his eyeglasses magisterially, with q
crimson silk pockct-hankcrchief, 81
didn't suppose the young fellow had
so much stamina about him-a very
honorable thing to do. Edith, l have
never felt exactly sure about Phil
Acre being worthy Of you before"
'PapaI'
."But my mind is made up now.
When is he coming again p
s'This evening"" faltered Edith, the
violet eyes softly dropping.
"Tell him, Edith, that he may have
you next Wednesday, just the same as
ever. And as for the law prac,icing
why there's time enough for that
afterward Child, don't stranglc me
with your KISSES keep 'cm for Phil y
lie looked at his daughter with eyes
strangely dim.
Tried, and not found wanting" he
muttercd inJistinctiy.
X * * .* X X
The perfume of tho orange BIOS
SONS had died away, the glimmer or
the pearls and satin were hidden in
velvet caskets and travelling trunks,
and Mr.. and Mrs. Acre, old married
people Of full q months duration,
we're driven along a country road, in
the amber of glorious June sunset
"IIolloa which way is Thomas
going" said Philip, leaning from the
window, us the carriage turned out of
the main road.
IL told him the direction to take, y
said Edith, with bri :ht sparkling eyes
"Let me have my own way, for once. "
We are going to our new home"
care we?' said Philip with cheery
grimace, sIt is TO be love in a cottage,
suppose"
"Wait until you see, sir" said Mrs.
Acre pursuing up her little rosebud OF
a mouth and Philip waited patiently
"Where are we?" he asked in aston
ishment, when the carriage drove up
before a stately piIlared portico
"Surely this must be Mortimer place.
"Shouldn't be surprised if it was, u
said DR.. WyI!is, mclging from the
doorway. walk in, my boy; come,
Edith. Well how do you like your
new home ?"
"Our new home!" repeated Philip.
II do not understand you, sir"
"Why, mean your little wife yon.
der is the sole surviving relative OF
Thomas Mortimer, although she never
knew il until this morning. Her
mother was old Mortimer's cousin
and some absurd quarrel had caused a
total cessation of intercourse between
the two branches of the family.
was aware of the facts all along but
[ wasn't sorry to avail myself the op.