The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-09-08

that no living heir existed. learned |
to-day that distant cousin-a woman
lis alive, although, my lawyer tells
me, in Ignorance Of her relationship to
Thomas Mortimer. OF course I shall |
transfer the property to her immedi-
ately."
"But, Philip, the will has made it le-
gally yours"
Legally, it has; but, Edith, could |
reconcile it to my idea of truth and
honor to avail myself of old Mortimer's
fanciful freak at this woman's expense?
l might take the boarded wealth, but l
should never respect myself again, could
1 dream of legally defraudlng the right
| ful heir. Nay, dearest, l may lose name
and wealth, but I would rather die than
suffer a single stain on my honor 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 she? What is her name ?''
"That's just what did not stop to in
quire. will write again to my lawyer
to ask these questions, and to direct that
a deed of conveyance be instantly made
out; and then, darling"
manfully completed the bitter sentence:
"Then / will begin the battle of life
over again."
And Edith's loving eyes told him
what she thought of his noble self-ab-
negation-a sweet testimonial.
"Hem p' said DR.. Wyllis, polishing
his eyeglasses magisterially with a silk
crimson handkerchief; 81 didn'tsuppOse
the young fellow had so much stamina
about him-a very honorable thing to
4 do. Edith, 1 have never exactly felt
satisfied about Phil Acres being worthy
of you before-n
e "Papa ~
"But my mind is made up now.
When is he coming again ?"
"This evening"" faltered Edith, the
violet eyes softly dropping.
= 'FTell him, Edith, that he may have
, you next Wednesday, just the same as
t ever, and as for the law practicing-
] why, there's time enough for that after
! wards. Child, don't strangle me with
e your kisses-keep them for Phil"
e He looked after his daughter with
0 eyes that were strangely dim.
e "Tried-and not found wanting ~ he
e muttered, indistinctly.
: The perfume of orange blossoms haC
: died away, the glimmer of pearls anC
satin were hidden in velvet caskets anC
o travelling trunks, and Mr.. and Mrs
o Acre, old married people of a months
e duration, were driving along country
u road, in the amber glow of glorious
a June sunset.
=. "Hello! which way is Thomas go
= ing?" said Philip, leaning from th,
g window, as the carriage turned out o
Is the main road.
l. az told him the direction to take
e Phil" said Edith, with bright, spark
ling eyes. "Let me have my own way
< just for once. We are going to our new
% home"
e: "Are we ?'' said Phil, with a comica
I'd grimace. at is to be love in cottage
Or I suppose"
t, "Wait till you see, sir !" said Mrs
lr Acre, pursuing her little rosebud of
oil mouth And Philip waited duteOusly.
- "Where are we?n he asked, in as
le tonishment, when the carriage drew u
ot in front of stately pillared pOrticC
lie which seemed to be not unfamiliar
him. "Surely, this is Mortimer Place!
lie 81 shouldn't be surprised if it was,
le said DIR. Wyllis, emerging from th
er doorway. "Walk in, my bOy-cOmt
Edith Well, how do you like you
III new home ?"
"Our new homew repeated PhiliI
he 'I do not understand you, sir"
IS "Why, l mean that your little wi
~ yonder is the sole surviving relative
A Thomas Mortimer, although she new,
a knew it till this morning. Her mOtht
he was old Mortimer's cousin, but son
absurd quarrel had caused a total cess;
IS tion of intercourse between the tW
n branches of the family. l was aware
the facts all along, but I wasn't sorry
IT. avail myself of the opportunity of Sc
ing what kind of stuff you were mat
"a, of, Phil Acre! And now, as the deed
II, conveyance isn't made out yet, don
MS suppose your lawyer need trouble hin
I'D self about it. The heiress won't QUAR-
no with you, pll be bound"
no Phil Acres cheek flushed, and The
as grew pale with strong, hidden emOtiO
L as he looked at his fair wife standiI
I'm beside him, when the sunset turned b
mp bright hair to coils of shining gold, al
all thought how unerringly the hand
ow Providence had Strengthened out &
ira tangled web of his destiny.
IN, Out of the darkness had come light.
ng
am