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


beautiful girl. with violet eyes, a blue veined
forehead aud abundant curls of that pale gold
that old painters love to portray.
81 wonder il Mortimer Place is so very
lovely, she said TO a sIlver,haired lady who
sat opposite. ''Philip is going TO take me
there when we return from our wedding tour,
aunty he says it is the sweetest place poets
fancy can devise, with fountains and shrubs
berries aud delicious oOpses, Oh, shall we not
be happy thcrel"
She started up with bright sudden blush;
Tor even while the words were trembling on
her lips, Philip Acre came into the room, his
handsome face looking a little troubled, vet
cheerful withal. Mrs. Wyllis, with an arch
nod at her niece, disappeared into the por-
tuned perspective of the conservatory, leay,
ing the lovers to themselves.
"YOu are looking grave. Philip" said
Edith as he bent over aud kissed her cheek.
land | am feeling so, darling. have q
very unpleasant disclosure to make to. night
our marriage must be postponed indefinitely"
''Philip, for what reason p" ~ .
ITO enable me, by diligout labor at my
profession, to realize sufficient means to sup
port you, dearest, in q manner satisfactory TO
your father ex pectations and my own wishes"
But, Philip, thought
You thought mo the heir Of Thomas
Mortimer's wealth 7 SO was, Edith, few
hours since, but have relinqushed ali claim
to 1t now. When accepted the bequest, 1
was under tho impression that no living beir
existed. learnt to-day that distant cousin
"a woman-is alive, although, my lawyer
tells me, in ignorance of her relationship to
Thomas Mortimer. OF course shall trans
fer the property to her Immediately"
But, Philip, the will has made it legally
yours i"
Legally, it has; but, Edith, could I re-
concile it TO my ideas of truth and honor, to
avail mysei! OF Old Mortimer's fauciful freak
at this woman's expense? l might take the
boarded wealth, but l should never respect
myself again could / dream OF legally de-
fraudiug the rightFul heir. Nay, dearest,
may lose name and wealth, but would rather
die than suffer single stain on my honor a.
a Christian gentleman :"
"You have done right, Philip said Edith,
with sparkling eyes. "We will wait, and
dearly than ever. But who is shc 7 What
is her name p
That's just what ! didn't stop to in
quire. / will wr,o again to my Inwyer to ask
these questions and to direct that deed of
conveyance be instantly made out ; and then,
darling"-
His lips quivered moment-yet lie man
fully completed tho bitter STANDARDIZATION (
will begin the battle of life over ngain."
Aud Edith's loving eyes told him what she
thought OF his noble self nbnegatiou sweet
testimonial.
"IIsm 70 said DR.. wyilia, polishing his
eyeglasses mngisteriully, with a silk crimson
handkerchief Il didn't suppose the young
fellow had so muuh stamina about him-a
very honorable thing to do. Edith, have
C,.lF iv in
being worthy OF you before
"Papa!"
"5nt my mind is made up now. When is
he coming again 7"
This evening" faltored Edith, the violet
eyes softly dropping.
Tell him, j. nth, that no uay have you
next Wednesday, Just the same as ever A nd
as FOR the law practicing-why, there's time
enough for that afterward. Child. DOM
strauglo mo with your kisses keep them p
Phil"
lie looked after his daughter with eyes tha.
were strangely dim.
Tried not found wanting" he NUT
tered, indistiuctly.
The perfume of orange blossoms had died
away, the gIimer of pearls aud satin were
hidden 10 velvet caskets and travelling trunks,
aud Mr.. and Mrs. Acre, old married people
OF full mouths duration. were driving along
a country road, in the amber glow Of glorious
| June sunset.
"HaIIo which way is Thomas going 2"
said Philip, leaning from the window, ns the
carriage turned out of the maiR road.
81 told him the direction TO take, Phil 90
said Edith, with sparkling eyes. LET me
have my own way, just for once. We Te
going new home"
care z" said Phil, with n conIicbl
grimace. at is to be love 10 cottage; l.
suppose"
WAIT until you see, sir - said Mrs. Acre,
I pursuing her little rosebud Of a mouth And
Philip waited dutiou-ly.
"Where are we 2" lie asked. in nstopisI-
meDt, when the csrringe drew up in front Of
stately piilared po'tico, which seemed TO be
not unfamiliar to him. Surely this is Nor
timer Place -
Il shouldn't be surprised If it was," said
Dr. Wyllis, emerging from the doorwny.-
Walk in, my boy-come, Edith Well, how
do you ike your new home 2"
Cur new home - repeated Philip. "I
do not understand you, sir"
why, [ mean that your little wife yondcr
IS the sole surviving relative Of ThOs. MOrti>
mer, although she never knew il till this
morning. Her mother was old MOrtimer's
cousin, but some absurd quarrel had caused
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 what
kind Of stuff you were made Of, Phil. Acre
( And now, as the deed of conveyance isn't
made out yet, don't suppose your lawyer
/ need trouble himself about it. The heiress
I won't quarrel with you. I'll be bound"
/ Philip Acres cheek flushed, aud then grew
pale with strong, hidden emotion, as he looked
at his fair wife, standing beside him, when
the sunset turned her bright hair to coils of