Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-08-24

and delicious copses. Oh, shall We We. not s,
be happy theres."
She started up, with bright, sudden
blush, for even while the words d.. we're s
trembling on, her lips. Rhaipl ', Acre Mere
came into the room, hia haa :lllls., face
looking little troubled, yet cheerful
wiEhal, Mrs, Wyllis, witt. an arch
inod,at her niece, disappeared, into the
!pesrtfp9HIsd; perspestive of the conserva
tory, leaving the lovers to themselves +,
/ "Y GU are looking grave, Philip said
Edith, as he bent oyer, and kissed, her
check.
::AaAI am feeling. 50, darling. !
have a very unpleasant! diselpfsasE,ee we. to
make to-nights-.o9sqpE marriage m 91's4 be
postponed indefinitely"
;,Phi!ipp, t ts what reason''
] To, e4able me, By d'filg,senA iabPsoG at \!
my profession, to realize sufficient means
to support YOU dearest in, manhner
satisfactory'to your fathers e1pec'la-
tons and my own wishes :"
But Philip, 7 t ll.,
"You thought me the heir Of Thomas
Mortimer's wealth? So was, Edith, a
few hours since, but I have r,elinquished
all claim ~ it qow. When ! accepted
the bequest, was under the impression
that no living heir existed. l learned
to day that distant sousin2-a woman
,-A alive, although, NY awy ey. teQs ne,
in ignorance of her relationship to
Thomas Mortimer. Of course l shall
transfer. the property to her Immediately.
"But, Philip, the will has made q9Ia!l 9, it
legally yours"
Legally, it has; ba., Edith, could |
reconcile it to my idea of truth and
honor. to avail myself Of old MloTtimers
fancifal freak at t4Niaa wgo Y qi expense 3
I might take the boarded wealth, but l
should never respect myself again,
could 1 dream Of legally deirauding
the yightfpA nyig. Nay, dearest, may
lose name and wealth, but l would
rather die than suffer single stain on
my honoy as Christian gentleman"
"You have done Iq'pp!e 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 ig hey name'
"Thats just what I did not stop to
inquire. l will write again to my
lawyer to ask these questions, and to
direct that a deed of conveyance be
instantly made oNt; and then, dar-
ling
His lips quivered mousnt-yet he
mapsNllY completed the bitter sentence,
ssThen l will begin the battle Of life
over again"
And Edith's loying eyes told him
what she thought of his noble If
abnegation-a sweet testimonial.
"Hem!" said Dr.. Wyllis, polishing
his eye glasses magisterially, with
ailk crimson handkerchief; Il didn't
suppose the young fellow had SO mHcA
stamina about .him-a very honorable
thing to do: Edith, ! have never
exactly felt satia6ed about Phil Acres
being worthy Of you before"
"Papa!"
:Bat ny mind is made up now.
When is he coming again."
"This evening"" faltered Edith, the
violet eyes softly dropping:
.'Tell him, Edith, that ha may have
you next "Wednesday, just the same as
ever, and as for the law practising
why there's time enough for that
afterwards. 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 got found wanting!' he
mHttered, indlstllnctly.
t u 4 4 I
4'he perfnmery Of orange blossoms
bad died away, the glimmeF. of pearls
and satin were hidden in velvet aaskets
and travelling trunks aRda Mr.. apd Mrs
Aara, old married paopla Of months
duration, were driving along country
road, in the amber glow of a glorious
June sunset:
':IIallo which way is Thomas goings'
said Philip, leaning from the window,
as the carriage turned opt of the main
road.
81 told him the direction to take
Phil" said Edith, With bright, sparkling
eyes. q ,et me haYe my own way, just
for ONCE. We are going to o9r new
home"
"Are we" said Phil, with q comical
grimace. 1T is'to be love in cottage,
l suppose
"Wait fill you see, sir!" said Mrs.
Acre, pprsing her little rosebud of 2
mouth. And Philip waited aateously.
"Where are wet" he asked, in aston
ishment, when the carriage drew up in
front Of q stately pilllared portico, which
seemed to be not unfamiliar to him.