Middletown transcript., 1876-04-15

suffer a single stain on my nohor d.
Christian gentleman"
"You have done right, Philip.
said Edith. with sparkling eyes. "W'
will wait. and hope on, happy in loving
one another more dearly than ever. Blu
who is she? What is her name ?"
"That's just what 1 didn't stop tt
inquire. l will write again to my law
yer to ask these questions and to direcI
that deed of conveyance be instantly
made out; and then, darling"
His lips quivered moment, yet be
manfully completed the bitter sen.
tence, "Then | will begin the battle ol
life over again"
And Edith's loving eyes told him
what she thought Of his noble self-ab-
negation-a sweet testimonial.
"Him!" said DR.. Wyllis. polishing
bis eye glasses magisterially with a
crimson silk handkerchief, II didn't
suppose the young fellow had so much
stamina about him-a very honorable
thing to do. Edith, 1 have never ex.
actly felt sure about Phil Acres being
worthy of you before
Papa p'
"But my mind is made up now.
When is be coming agoin ?"
"This evening"" faltered Edith, the
violet eyes softly dropping.
"Tell him, Edith, that be may have
you next Wednesday, just the same as
ever. And as for law practicing-why
there's time enough for that after
wards. Child d,n'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 instinctively.
The perfume Of orange blossoms had
died away, the glimmsr of pearls and
satin were hidden in velvet caskets and
travelling trunks, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Acre, old married people Of months
duration. were driving along a country
road in the amber glow of glorious
June sunset.
"Hallo! which way is Thomas GO
ing?" said Philip, leaning from the
window, as the carriage turned out Of
the main road.
II told him the direction to take,
Phil" said Edith, with bright, spark
ling eyes. "Let me have my own way,
just for once. We are going to our
new home"
"Are we? said Phil, with comical
grimance. "It is to be love in cot
tage. I suppose?"
"Wait until you see, sir" said Mrs.
Acre, pursuing her little rosebud Of a
mouth. And Philip waited dutiously.
"Where are we e? be asked in aston
ishment, when the carriage drew up in
front Of stately pillared portico. which
seemed to be not unfamiliar to him
"Surely. this is Mortimer Place"
IL shouldn't be surprised if it was. /"
said DR.. Wyllis. immerging from the
doorway, "Walk in, my boy-come
Edith. Well how do you like your
new home"
"Our new home p repeated Phil.
I do not understand you, SIR"
Why, I mean your little wife yonder
is the soul surviving relative Of Thomas
Mortimer, although she never knew it
until this morning. Her mother was
old Mortimer's cousin, but some absurd
quarrel has caused total cessation Of
intercourse between the two branches
of the family. l was aware of the fact
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 him.
self about it. 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 wife, standing
beside him, when the sunset turned her
bright hair to coils of shining gold. and
thought how unerriugly the hand Of
Providence had Strengthened out the
tangled web Of his destiny.
Out of the darkness had come light.