The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-12-01
THE MlsER'saRElR.

the March night, and the fire snapped
and cracked behind the red hot bars
of the CRATE in a most cosy and com
Portable sort of way, casting rosy
shine into the thoughtful brown eyes
that were tracing castles and coronets
in the bright burning Goals.
For Philip Acre was, for once, in
dulging himself in the dangerous fas-
cinations of the day dream.
"If | weraonly richr' he pondered
to himself. "Ah! it. Then goodbye
to all these musty old law books;
goodbye to mended boots and turn
ed coats, all the ways and means which
turns mans life into wrctched bond
age. Wouldn't | revcl in new books,
and delicious paintings, and high-step-
ping horses? Wouldn't l buy set OF
jewelry for Edith--not pale pearls or
sickly emeralds, but diamonds, TO
blaze like links OF fire upon her royal
throat? Wouldn't What nonsense
I'm talking, thought" he cried sud-
denly to himself. philip Acre, hold
your tongue. | did suppose you were
a fellow of more sense. Here you
are, neither rich nor distinguished,
but 4 simple law student; while Edith
Wylis is as far above your moonstruck
aspirations as the queen of Night her.
self She loves me, though-she will
wait-and the time will one day come.
Ii only DIR. Wylis were not so dis.
trustiul of fellow! However, | must
learn to rove myself worthy of the
sweetest prize that eyer-hallo, come
in there, whoever you arel"
1t was only the servant maid of the
lodging house, carrying a letter in the
corner OF her apron, between her
thumb and finger.
Please, sir, the postman has just
left it."
"All right, Katy. Now, them he
added, as the door closed behind ka-
ty's substantial back, Lets see what
my unknown correspondent has TO
say. \ black seal, ELI? Not having
any relation To lose, am not alarmed
at the prognostic."
He broke the seal, glanced over the
short, business-like communication
contained within, with face varied
from incredulous surprise to sudden
gladness.
Am | dreaming:" he murmured,
rubbing his eyes and shaking himself,
AS il to ensure complete possession OF
his senses NO. m wide awake and
in my right mind; it is no dclusion-
no part of my waking visions. But
who would have supposed that old
Thomas Mortimer, whom | haven't
seen since was a boy OF sixteen, and
picked out of the river half dead be-
tween cramp and fright, would die
and leave me his money: Why, I'm
not the shadow Of relation; but then
| never heard the old man had any
kith or kin, so l can't imagine any
harm in taking advantage of this odd
freak. Rich-am l 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 far-off star OF his alteration
would be brought up near 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 shrine were the
weeks that fitted over the heart of
the accepted loyer-brightened by
Edith's smile-made beautiful by the
soft radiance of Edith's love. There
was one alloying shadow-the most
irnperceptible touch of distrust and
suspicion with which stern old DIR.
WyIis regarded his future son-in-law.
All! he feared to trust his only child
to the keeping of any man who had
not been proved in the fiery furnace
of trial.
1t was precisely week before the
day appointed for the wedding, and
the soft lights, yelled by shades Of
ground glass, were just lighted in DR.
Wylis' drawing room, where Edith
sat among her white roses and hello.
tropes, working bit of cambria ruf.
fling, and singing to herself. She was
a slender, beautiful girl, with violet
eyes, blue-veined forehead, and glossy
curls of that pale gold that old paint
ers loved to portray.
II wonder if Mortimer Place is SC
very lovely!" 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 shrubbery and delicious copses
Oh, shall we not be happy there!"
She started up with a bright, sud
den blush; for even while the words
were trembling on her lips, Philip
Acre came into the room. His hand
some face was grave, looking little
troubled, yet cheerful withal. Mrs
Wylis, with an arch nod at her niece
disappeared into the perfumed pers
pectIve of the conservatory, leaving
the lovers to themselves.
"You are looking grave, Philip,
said Edith, as he bent over and kissed
her cheek.
Il am feeling SO, darling. l have
a very unpleasant disclosure to make
to-night-our marriage must be post
poned indefinitely"
1Philip, for what reason?"
Because by dilligent labor at my
profession I cannot realize sufficient
means to support you, dearest, in {
manner satisfactory to your fathers
expectations and my wishes"
But, Philip, thought"
"You thought me heir to Thomas
Mortimer's wealth? So / was Edith
few hours since; but / have relin
quished all claim to tnow. IlearneC