The Placer herald., 1873-11-15

very ioNeiy! sue saiu 10 u SiNer-Haleu
lady who sat opposite. ''Phllp is going
to take me there when we return from our
wedding tour, aunty; he says it's the
sweetest place a poets fancy can devise,
with fountains and shrubberies and delicate
copses. Oh, shall we not be happy
there ?"
She started up with bright, sudden
blush; for even while the words were trem-
bling on her lips, Phillip Acre came into the
room. His handsome face was grave,
looking little troubled, yet cheerful withal
Mrs. Wylliss, with an arch nod at her neice
disappeared into the perfumed perspective
of the conservatory, leaving the lovers to
themselves.
"You are looking grave, Philip" said
Edith as he bent over and kissed her cheek
''1 am feeling so, darling. | have a
very unpleasant disclosure to make tonight
our marriage must be postponed in
definitely.
"Phlip, for what reason?"
''To enable by dilligent labor at my pro-
fession to realize sufficient means to support
you dearest, in a manner satisfactory to
your fathers expectations and my wishes. .
but L hllllp, thought
"l on thought me heir to Thomas Nor
timers wealth? So | was, Edith, few
hours since; but | have relinquished all
claims to it now. When accepted the be-
quest | was under the impression that no
living heir existed. | learned to-day that a
distant cousin "a woman) is alive, although
my lawyer tells me, in ignorance of her re-
latonship to Thomas Mortimer. OF course
| shall transfer the property to her imme-
diately."
"But, Philip, the will has made it
legally yours.
Legally it has; but, Edith, could rec
oncie it to my idea of truth and honesty to
avail myself of old Mortimer's tanciful freak,
at this woman's expense? might take
the boarded wealth, but never could re-
spect myself again after legally deirauding
The rightful heir Nay, dearest, | may
lose pame and wealth, but | would rather
die than suffer single strain on my bonors
as a Christian gentleman.
"You have done right, Philip said
Edith, with sparkling eyes. "We will
wait, and hope on, happy in loving one
another more dearly than ever. But who
is this distant relative and heiress ?"
"That's Just what didn't sop TO en-
quire. will write again to my lawyer to
find out and to direct that a deed of con-
yeyance be made out: and then, darling"
His lips quivered a moment, yet he man
fully completed the sentence.
"Then, will begin the battle of life over
again
And Edith's loving eyes told him what
she thought Of his self abnegation-
testimonial.
"Hem," said DIR. Wyllis, polishing his
eye glasses magisierially with silk crimson
pocket handkerchief, 81 didn't suppose the
young man had so much stamina about
lima very honorable thing to do. Edith,
haven't felt exactly sure about Phil. Acre
being worthy of you before
"PapaH
"But my mind is made up. When is he
coming again 7"
"This evening"" filtered Edith, the violet
eyes ofly dropping.
"Tel him, Edith, that he may have you
next Wednesday, just the same as ever.
As to the law practicing, there's time
enough for that afterward. Child, don't
strangle me with yonr kisses-keep 'em for
Phil"
He looked at his daughter with eyes
strangely dim.
"Tried, ana not found wanting" he NUT
tered, ndisiinctly :
The perfume of the orange blossoms had
died away, the glimmer of the pearls and
satin were hidden in velvet caskets and
travelling trunks, and Mr.. and Mrs. Acre,
old married people of full a months dura-
ton, were driven along a country road, In
the amber of glorious June sunset.
"Holloa! wi ich way is Thomas going 2
said Phillip, leaning from the window, as
the carriage turned out from the main road.
81 told him the direction to take" said
Edith, with bright sparkling eyes.
'Let IN have my own way for once.
We are going to our new home.
care we ?" said Phillip, with a CHEEKY
erimace. "It's to be love in a cottage,
suppose p
"Wait until you ee,s'r," said Mrs. Acre,
pursng up her little rose bud of mouth;
md Philip waited patiently.
"W bere are we?' he asked in astonish-
ment, when the carriage drew mp before
stately pillared portico. "Surely this must
be Mortimer Place" Shouldn't wonder if
it was" said DR.. Wyllis, emerging from
the doorway. "Walk in, my boy; come
Edith. Wei, how do you like your new
home q
"Orr new homer repeated Phillip, 81
do not understand you, sir.
: "Why, l mean your little wife yonder is
the sole surviving relative of Thomas Nor
timer, although she never knew it until this
morning. Her mother was old Mortimer's
cousin, and some absurd quarrel had caused
| a total cessation of intercourse between the
branches of the family. | was aware OF
the fact all along; but | wasn't sorry to
avail myself of the opportunity to see what
kind of stuff YOU were made, Phil. Acre.