Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1876-04-13
HONESTY WINS.

1u0 nOuI neNO OF fMIp AcroB Olu.YAbn
ioned silver watch was pointing to the flg
ure Of 8-the snug red curtains shut on
tho rain and darkness Of the March night
and the fire cracked and snapped .behint
the rod hot bars OF the little CRATE in COS.
and comfortable sort Of way, casting ros.
shinc into tho thoughtful brown eyes tha
were tracing castles and coronetA In til,
brightly burning ooals-
For Philip Acre wae, for once, indulgint
himself In the dangerous Vaccinations Of ,
q day dream.
''Is were only rich /" he pondered t.
himself. "Ah, IL Then goodbye to al
these mnsty old law books; good bye Il
nsnded boota and turned coats, and al
tho ways and means that turn mans life
into wretched bondage. Wouldn't l reve
In new books, and delicious paintings, aud
high stepping horses. Wouldn't buy rel
Of jewels for Edith-not pale pearls. or sick
y emerslds, but diamonds, 10 blaze like
links Of IRE upon her royal throat
Wouldn't I-whst nonsense I'm talking
though r. he cried Wtsaenly, to himself.
'rhiI Acrs. heli your tongue. 4 Nh sup
pose you were . fellow Of good sense
/ Here you arc, neither rich nor distinguish
ed, while Edith Wyllls IL ~ far above your
moon struck aspirations - the Queen OF
Night herself ! She loves mo, ,though-she
will wait-And the time may one day come
II only Or. Wyllis were not so distrustful
OF fellow, Halo come in there, whoev'
or you are !"
II was only tho serving-maid Of the lodg-
ing house, carrying letter in the corner Of
her apron, between her finger and thumb.
"Piease, sir, the postman had just left
it," = -
"An right, Katy. Now, then" he added,
- the door closed behind KAty's substsn-
tiAl back, 'tlets see what my unknown
correspondent has to say. A black seal,
chi Not having any relations to lose, ! am
not alarmed At the progpostic."
He broke the seal, and glanced leisurely
over the .ehort, business-like communities
tion witLA, with face that varied from
incredulous surprise to sudden gladness.
"Am dreaming I" he murmured, rubbing
his eyes and shaking himself - il to insure
complete posseEsion Of his senses. "No
I'm wide awake and in my right mind 1t ii
no delusion-no part Of my waking vi
sions. But who would ever suppose that
old Thomas Mortimer, whom haven't
seen since was boy OF sixteen, and
picked him ont Of the river half dead be-
tween cramp and fright, would die and
leave me all his money? Why, I'm not
heard that the old man had any kith or kin
30 that can't imagine any harm In taking
advantage Of his odd freak. Rich-am
really to bo rich2 IL my Aladdin vision
to be an actual faot2 o. Edith, Edith I"
He clasped both hands over his eyes
sick and giddy with the thought that the
lovely, far-oH star OF his alteration would
be brought to him at last by the magnet
gold. All those years Of patient waiting
tr~I Ixs, 49, 1,x .k~ <x1J
miser's bequsst, and he might claim Editi
now.
How full Of heart-sunshine were tht
weeks that fitted over the head Of the 40
cepted lover, frightened by Ediths smile
made beautiful by the soft radiance o.
Edith's love. Thsre is only one alloyint
shAdow-the almost imperceptble touch Of
distrust and suspicion with which stern olt
DR.. Wyllis regarded his future son-in-lsw
All he feared to trust his only child TO til,
keeping Of any lman who has not beer
proved in the fiery furnace Of trial.
II was precisely 4 week before the da,
appointed for the wedding, IS the sof
lights, veiled by shades Of glass, were jus
lighted in DR.. Wyllis' drawing room, wher'
Edith sat among hor white roses and he
liotropes, working on bit Of cambria rufh
and singing to herself. She was slender
beautiful girl, with violet eyes, a blue
veined forehead and glossy, abundant curl
of that pale gold that old painters loved
portray.
al Eonder IL Mortimer Place Is 30 yer
lovoa0e" she said to silver-haircd lad
who bat opposite. "Philip is going I
take me there when we return from ou
wedding tour he says it IL the sweetet
place q poets fancy can devise, with -four
tains and shrubberies and delicious copsei
o, shall We not be happy there 2"
She started up with bright, sudde
blush for even while the words were tren
bling on her lips, Philip Acre came into u u
room, his handsome face looking lit
troubled, yet cheerful withal. Mrs. WylIi
with an arch nod at her niece, dissppeare
into the perfumed perspective Of the CO.
servatory, leaving the lovers to themselye
"You are looking grave, Philip, ga
Edith, as lie bent over and kissed III
cheek.
"And am feeling 30, darling. have
very unpleasant disclosure to make to-nig
-0ur marriage must be postponed inde
nitely."
"Philip, for what reason 2'
.'To enable mo, by diligent labor at n
profession, to realize sufficient means
support you, dearest, in manner satisfa
tory TO your fathers expectations ana u
own wishee.
"Dut Philip, l thought
"You thought me- the heir OF Ihom
Mortimer's wealth? 80 l was, Edith,
few hours since, but have relinquished
claim to it now. When I accepted the
quest, / was under the impression that
living heir.existed. learned, to-day, til
. distant cousin-s woman-is alive,
though, my lawyer tells me, in ignoran
Of her relationship to Thomas Mortim
OF course l shall transfer the property
her immediately"
"But, Philip, the will has mado it les'
ly yours"
oncile It to my ideas Of truth and non
to avail myself of old Mortimer's fancl
freak at this woman's expensep /! mil
tske the boarded wealth, but should ne
respect myself again could dream OF
UAliy defrauding the rightful heir. N
dearest, I may lose name and wealth, bu
would rather die than suffer single Ut
on my honor % Christian gentleman.
"You have done right, philip, 4
Edith, with sparkling eyes. We will y
and hope on. happy in loving one'snot
more dearly than ever. But WHO IL 81
Whist 10 her name ~
il"That's Just what didn't stop to inqu
will write again to my lawyer to ask tn
questions and to direct that deed OF 6
vcyance be instantly made out; and I
darling"
His lips quivered moment, yet he m
fully completed the bitter sentence, III
will begin the battle Of life over again.
And Editii's loving eyes told him what
thought Of his noble self-abnegAtio
sweet testimonial,
'Hem |" said DIR. Wyliss, polishing
eve glasses magiaterially with Grin
eilk handkerchief; ~ didn't suppose
young fellow had 10 much stamina Al
him-s very honorable thing to do. E'
have never exactly felt sure about
Acres being worthy Of you before
.u "Papa ,
he coming sgain?'
SThis evening" faltered Edith, the Y
eyes softly dropping.
HTell him, Edith, that he may have
next Wednesday, just the same AZ
And a. for law prAoticing,why there's
enough for that afterwards. Child,
strAngle me with your kisses-keep
He looked after his daughter with
that were strangely dim.
'Tried-And mol found wanting,
muttered, instinctively.
The perfume of orange blossoms
died away, the glimmer Of pearls and
we're hidden in velvet caskets and tray
trunks, and MIR. and Mrs. Acre, old MI
Doosle OF . months duration, were d.
along country road, in the amber gl'
a glorious June sunset.
i'HAllo which way is Thomas go
said phihp, leaning from the windo
the carriage turned out of the main n
~ told him the direction to take,
paid Edith, with bright, sparkling
'Let me have my own way, Just for
We are going to our new home"
"Are we p said Phil, with &C
grimacs. "It is to be love in . coti
auppose?"
'.WAt until you see, sir" said Mrs
pussing her little rosebud OF mouth
Philip waited dutiously.
tWhere are we Z" he asked In ast
mont, when the carriage drew up in
OF . stately pilIsred portico, which
10 be not unfamiliar to him.-"sure
IL Mortimer Place."
~ shouldn't be surprised II it wa,
DR.. WyIlis, emerging from the do
,sWalk in, my boy-come Edith. We
DO you like your now home 7"
,;Our nav home 1" repeated Phil,