The Red Cloud chief., 1876-03-16

impression that no living heir existed
I learnt to-day that q distant cousin
. woman-is alive, although, my lawyer
tells me, in ignorance Of her Relationship
to Thomas Mortimer. OF course l shall
transfer the property to her imme
distely."
"But, Philip, the will has made it 10
gally yours"
Legally, it has; but, Edith, could
reconcile it TO my ideas of truth and
honor, to avail myself Of old Morti
mer's fanciful freak at TIL. woman:
expensei I might take the boarded
wealth, but I should never respect my.
self again could l dream Of legally de
frauding the rightful heir. Nay, dear.
cs., l may lose name and wealth. but ]
would rather die han suffer a single
stain on my honor as q Christian gen.
tleman!'
You have done right, Philip" said
Edith, with sparkling eyes. "We vii
wait, and hope on, Happy In loving one
another more dearly than ever. Bur
who is she1 What ia her namef
That's Just what I didn't stop to in.
quire, l will write again to my lawye,
to ask these questions, and to direct that
a deed Of conveyance be instantly made
out; and then, darIing"-
His lips quivered q moment--yet Le
manful!y 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 abne-
g%atiOn-a sweet testimonial.
"Hsm!" said DR.. Wyllis, polishing
his eye glasses magisterially, with a silk
crimson handkerchief: 81 didn't sup
pose the young fellow had 80 much
stamina about him-a very honorable
thing to do. Edith, / have never ex-
actlJ felt about Phi Acres being worthy
Of you before"
papa"
but my mind is made up now. When
is he coming again7"
This evening"" fal.ered Edith, the
violet eyes softly dropping.
"Tell him. Edith, that he may have
you next Wednesday, just the same as
ever! And as for the law practicirg-
why there's time enough for that af.er-
wards. Child, don't strangle .ne with
your kisses keep them for Phil"
He looked after his daughter with
eyes that were strangely dim.
'Tried-and not found wantingl"he
muttered indistinctly.
The perfume of orange blossoms had
died awsy-the glimmer Of pears ami
satins were hidden in velvet caskets and
travelling trunks, and Mr.. and Mrs. Acre,
old married people of a months durs-
tlon. were driving along a country road
In the amber glow Of a glorious June
aunset.
"Hallol which way is Thomas goinga"
said Philip, leaning from the window,
as the carriage turned out of the main
road.
Il told him the direction to take,
Phila" said Edith, with bright, sparkling
eyes. ''Let me have my own way, just
for once. We are going to our new
home"
"Are wei' said Phil, with q comical
zlimace. 1t is to be love in a cottage, l
supposed"
wait until you see, sir!' said M.s.
Acre, pursuing her little rosebud OF a
mouth. And Philip waited duteously.
"Where are WEI" he asked. in {
ishment, when the carriage drew up in
front of q stately pillared portico, which
seemed ito be not unfamiliar to him.
Surely this is Mortimer Palace"
81 shouldn't be surprised if it was,"
said DR.. Wyllia, emerging from the door
way. "Walk in, my boy-come Edith
Well, how do you like your new homef
"Our new home!" repeated Philip, 81
do not understand you, SIR"
"Why, I mean that your little wife
yonder is the sole surviving relative of
Thomas Mortimer, although she never
knew it till this morning. Her mother
was old Nortimer's cousin, bat some
absurd quarrel had caused a totol cessa-
ton of intercourse between the two
branches of the family. l was aware OF
the facts all along, but I wasn't sorry to
avail myself Of the opportunity of see
ing what kind of stuff you we're made
OF, Phil Acre! And now, as the deed OF
conveyance isn't made out yet, 1 don't
suppose your lawyer need trouble him
self about 1t. The heiress won't quarrel
with you, I'll be bound"
Phil Acres cheek flushed, and then
grew pale with strong hidden emotion,
as he looked at his fair vile, standing
beside him, when the sunset turned her
bright hair to coils of shining gold, and
thought how unerringly the hand of
Providence had Strengthened the tangled
web Of his destiny.
Out Of the darkness had come light.
Couldn't Stand Prosperity.