Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-03-14
~TRANsIENT BTLLs-oAs1.

and singing to herself She was slender.
beautiful girl, with violet eyes, a blue veined
forehead aud abundant curls of that pale gold
that old painters love TO portray. f
''I wonder il Mortimer Place is so very
lovely, she said to a silver,hair lady who
sat opposite. philip is going to take me
there when we return from our wedding tour,
anuty he says it is the sweetest place poets
fancy can devise, with fountains and shrub
berries aud delicious copses. Oh, shall we not
be happy therey"
She started MP with bright sudden blush
for even while tho words were trembling on
her lips, Philip Acre cLme into the room, his
handsome face looking little troubled, vet
cheerful withal. Mrs. Wylis, with an arch
| nod at her niece, disappeared into the nor.
tuned perspective of the conservatory, leays
ing the lovers TO themselves
You are looking grave. Philip" said
Edith as he bent over aud kissed her cheek.
And l am feeling SO, darling. have
very unpleasant disclosure to make Tonight
our marriage must be postponed indefinitely"
Philip, for what reason ?" .. .
"TO enable me, by dilgOut labor at nv
profession, to realize sufficient means TO sup,
port you, dearest, in q manner satisfactory to
! your father s ex pectations and my own wishes ;"
l
"4 ou thought me the heir Of Thomas
| Mortlmer's wealth So was, Edith, few
hours since, but have relinquiohed all claim
to IT now hen accented the bsoaest,
tells me, in ignorance of her relationship 70
fer the property to her Immediately"
but, Philip, the will has made it legally
yours
Legally, ii has but, Edith, could re-
concie it to my ideas of truth and honor, to
avail myself OF Old Mortimer's fanciFul freak
at this woman's expense? might tAko tho
boarded wealth, but | should never respect
myself again could | dream OF legally de-
frauding the rightFul heir. Nay, dearest, 1
may lose name and wealth, but would rather
die than suffer single stain on my honor 90
Christian gentleman ;"
"You have done right. Philip" said Edith,
with sparkling eyes. "Wo will wait, and
hope on, happy in loving ono another more
! dearly than ever. But who is shol What
| is her nam0 7"
That's just what didn't stop to in-
| quire. j will wri,o again to my lnwyer to ask
these questions and to direct that deed of
conveyance be instantly made out and then
darling
His lips quivered a moment-yct lie man
fully completed tho bitter Standardization I
will begin the battle of life over ngain"
And Edith's loving eyes told him whSt she
thought OF his noble self ubnegntiou-a sweet
testimonial.
"IIsm !" said Or. wylli., polishing his
eyeglasses mngisterially, with a silk crimson
handkerchief; Il didn't suppose the young
fellow had so much stamina about him - a
very honorable thing to do. Edith, have
never felt exactly certain about Phil. AcrO's
. hni NJ hoE,r
"Papa"
"Bnt my mind is made up now. When is
he coming again ~
This evening" faltored Edith, the violet
| eyes softly dropping.
"Tell him, Elith that he may have you
next Wednesday, Just the same as ever And
as FOR the law practcing-wh there's time
enough for that afterward. Child DOM
strauglO mo with your kisses keep them fof
Phil"
IIo looked after his daughter with eyes thnl
were strangely dim.
Tried aud not found wanting he NUT
terod, indistiuctly.
The perfume of orange blossoms had died
away, the gimer of pearls aud satin were
hidden 10 velvet caskets and travelling trunks,
aud Mr.. and Mrs. a ere, old married people
OF full mouths duration. were driving along
a country road, in the amber glow Of glorious
June sunset.
"lIallO :! which way is ThOmns going =
said Philip, leaning from the window. ns the
carriage turned out of the maiR roNd
81 told him the direction 10 take, Phil 81
said Edith, with sparkling eyes LET me
have my own way, just for once. We Sre
going to our new home"
"Are We 2" said Phil, with a eoEsicnl
grimace. "It is TO be love in n cottage;
suppose"
"Wait until you see, sir = said Mrs. Acre,
puTs!ug her little rosebud of n mouth. And
Philip waited dutiou-ly.
"Where are we 2" lie asked, in astopish-
mcut, when the carriage drew up in front Of
a stately piIlared portico. which seemed 10 be
not unfamiliar to him. Surely this is Nor
timer Place :"
DIR. Wyllis, emerging from the doorway
Walk in, my boy-come, Edith Well, how
do you ike your new home z"
"Our new home - repested Philip. ''I
do not understand you, sir"
why, mean that your little wife yondcI
is the sole surviving relative Of Thos. Morti>
mer, although she never knew IL till this
morning. Her mother was old Mortimer
cousin, but some absurd quarrel had caused 4
total cessation of intercourse between tho two
branches of the family was aware Of the
facts all along but ] wasn't sOrry to avail
myself Of the opportunity of seeing Wha
kind Of stuff you were made Of, Phil. Acre
And now, as the deed Of conveyance ism
made out yet, don't suppose your lawye
need trouble himself about it. The heires
won't quarrel with you. Ill be bound"
Philip Acres cheek flushed, and then grev
pale with strong, hidden emotion, as he locke
at his fair wife, standing beside him, wbe
} the sunset turned her bright hair to coils {