Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-02-19
make to.night-our marriage must b
postponed indefinitely"

make to.night-our marriage must b
postponed indefinitely"
"Philip, for what reasonf"
"To enable mo, by diligent labor Q
my profession, to realize sufiicien
means TO support you, dearest, in
manner satisfactory TO your fathers ex
pectations and my own wishes"
"But, Philip, I thought
"You thought me the heir OF Thomal
Mortimer's wealthl So ! was, Edith,
few hours since, but have relinquish
cd all claim TO II now. When I accepted
the bequest, I was under the impres
sion that no living heir existed. Learnt
to-day that Q distant cousin q woman
is alive, although, my lawyer tells me
in ignorance Of her relationship K
Thomas Mortimer. OF course ! shal
transfer the property 10 her immsdi
ately:" -. ;,
legally yours"
ILLEGALLY, it has; but, Edith, could ]
reconcile il to my ideas OF truth and
honor, to avail myself Of old Mortimer q
fanciful freak at this woman's expense
I might take the boarded wealth, but !
should never respect myself again could
I dream of legally defrauding the right
full heir. Nay, dearest, I may lose
name and wealth, but I would rather die
than suffer single stain on my honor
as Christian gentleman"
"You have done right, Philip" said
Edith, with sparkling eyes. 1--WE will
wait, and hope on, happy in loving one
another more dearly than ever. But
who is she9 What is her namei''
"That's just what didn't stop 10 in
quire. will write again to my lawyer
TO ask these questions and to direct that
o deed of conveyance be instantly made
out and then, darling g.
His lips quivered q moment-yet he
rnanfully completed tho bitter sentence
-"then I viii begin the battle Of life
over again."
And Edith's loving eyes told him
what she thought Of his noble self-abne-
gation-a sweet teetimonial.
"Heml" said DR.. Wyllis, polishing
his eyeglasses magesterially, with silk
crimson handkerchief ; ~ didn't sup
pose the young fellow had 30 much
stamina about him-a very honorable
thing to do. Edith, I have never felt
exactly about Phil. Acres being worthy
Of you before - >.
"Papa |"
"But my mind is made up now.
When is he coming again 2"
"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 practicing-
why, there's time enough for that after
ward. Child, don't strangle me with
your kisses-keep them for Phil"
He looked after his daughter with
eyes that were strangely dim.
"Tried-and not found wanting I" he
muttered, indistinctly.
The perfume of orange blossoms had
died away, the glimmer Of pearls and
trunks, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Acre, old married people of full
duration, were driving along a
country road, in the amber glow OF
glorious June sunset.
"Hallo which way is Thomas 60
ings" said Philip, leaning from the win
dow, as the carriage turned out OF the
main road.
"I told him the direction to take,
Phil |" said Edith, with sparkling eyes.
Let me have my own way, Just for
once. We are going to our new home"
care we9" said Phil, with comical
yrimace. "It is to be love in o cottage,
suppose"
"Wait until you see, sir |" said Mrs.
Acre, pursing her little rosebud of
mouth. And Philip waited duteously.
"Where are weS" he asked, in as
when the carriage drew up
n front OF a stately pillared portico,
which seemed to be not unfamiliar to
lin. "Surely this is Mortimer Place !"
81 s'ouldn't be surprised If it was"
'aid L. Wyllis, emerging from the
doorway. Walk in, my boy come,
edith Well, how do you like your
lew homeG"
"Our new home!" repeated Philip.
I do not understand you, sir"
"Why, I mean that your little wife
,onder is the sole surviving relative of
Thomas Mortimer, although she never
snew it till this morning. Her mother
vas old Mortimer's cousin, but some alb
urd quarrel had caused total cessation
# intercourse between the two branches
# the family. was aware of the facts
IL along; but wasn't sorry to avail my
elf of the opportunity of seeing what
ind of stuff you were made of, Phil
Acrei And now, as the deed Of convey
nee isn't made out yet, don't suppose
our lawyer need trouble himself about
t. The heiress won't quarrel with you,
IL be bound"
Philip Acres cheek flushed, and then |
rev pale with strong, hidden emotion,
8 he looked at his fair wife, standing be- |
ide him, when the sunset turned her
right hair to coils Of shining gold, and
bought how unerringly the hand of
Providence had Strengthened out the