The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-03-01

herself. She was a slender, beautiful
girl, with violet eyes, q blue-veined fore
head and glossy, abundant curls of that
pale gold that old painters love to por-
tray.
az wonder if Mortimer Place is so
very lovely" she said to slver-haired
lady who sat opposite. "Phiip is 60
ing to take me there when we return
from our wedding tour, aunty; he says
1T Is the sweetest place a. poets fancy
can devise, with fountains and shrub
berries and delicious copses. Oh, shall
we not be happy there3"
She started up with bright, sudden
blush; for even while the words were
trembling on her lips, Philip Acre came
into the room, his handsome face look
ing little troubled, yet cheerful withal
Mrs. Wyllis, with an arch nod at her
niece, disappeared into the perfumed
perspective Of the conservatory, leaving
the lovers to themselves.
"You are looking grave, Philip"
said Edith, as he bent over and kissed
her cheek.
"And I am feeling SO, darling. I
have very unpleasant disclosure to
make to-night-our marriage must be
postponed indefinitely"
Eu1up, 1Or Wnat reaSOnf
"To enable me, by diigent labor at
my profession, to realize sufficient
means to support you, dearest, in a
manner satisfactory to your fathers ex-
pectations and my own wishes"
But, Philip, thought -
"You thought me the heir of Thomas
Mortimer's WEALTH. So was, Edith, q
few hours since, but I have relinquish-
o. n oil p1o 10
the bequest, L was under the impress
sion that no living heir existed. learnt
o-day that distant cousin q woman
is alive, although, my lawyer tells me,
in ignorance of her relationship to
Thomas Mortimer. or course I shall
transfer the property to her immedi-
ately."
"But, Philip, the will has made it
legally yours.
Legally, it has; but, Edith, could I
reconcile it to my ideas of truth and
honor, to avail myself of old Mortimer's
-fanciful freak at this woman's expense
II might take the boarded wealth, but I
should never respect myself again could
l dream of legally defrauding the right
full heir. Nay, dearest, I may lose
name and wealth, but would rather die
than suffer single stain ON my honor
as Christian gentleman!'
NYou 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 name2"
That's just what I didn't 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 -
His lips quivered a moment-yet he
manfully completed the bitter sentence
-"then I will begin the battl, Of life
over again."
And Edith's loving eyes told him
what she thought of his noble self-abne-
gation-a sweet testimonial.
"sHem!" said DIR. Wyllis, polishing
his eyeglasses magesterially, with silk
crimson handkerchief "i didn't sup
pose the young fellow had so much
stamina about him-a very honorable
thing to do. Edith, I have never felt
exactly about Phil. Acres being worthy
of You before -
"Papal -
"But my mind is made up now.
When is he coming again 1''
"This evening"" faltered Edith, the
violet eyes softly dropping.
"Tell him, Edith, that he may have
you pext Wednesday, just the same as
ever And as for the law practicing-
why, there's time enough for that after
ward. 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 not found wanting /" he
muttered, indistinctly.
The perfume Of orange blossoms had
died away, the glimmer of pearls and
satin were hidden in velvet caskets and
travelling trunks, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Acre. old married people of full a
months duration, were driving along a
country road, in the amber glow of
glorious June sunset.
Halo which way is Thomas 90
ing3" said Philip, leaning from the win
dow, as the carriage turned out of the
main road.
"I told him the direction to take,
Phil |" said Edith, with sparkling eyes.
"Let me have my own way, just for
once. We are going to our new home"
care we2" said Phil, with comical
grimace. 1T is to be love in cottage,
I suppose"
"Wait until you see, sir |" said Mrs.
Acre, pursing her little rosebud of
mouth. And Philip waited duteously.
Where are we9" he asked, in as
tonishment, when the carriage drew up
in front of stately pillared portico,
which seemed to be not unfamiliar to
him: "Surely this is Mortimer Place |"
~ shouldn't be surprised if it was,"
said DR.. Wyllis, emerging from the
doorway. Walk in, my boy come,
Edith ! Well, how do you like your
new home2"