Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1876-09-08
Selettel 5e(istrllanp.
HONESTY WINS.

The hour hand of Philip Acres old
fashioned silver watch was pointing to
the figure Of S-the snug red curtains
shut out the rain and darkness Of the
March night, and the fire cracked and
snapped behind the red hot bars of the
little CRATE in a cosy and comfortable
sort Of a way, casting rosy shine into
the thoughtful brown eyes that were
tracing castles and coronets in the bright
Iy burning Goals.
For Philip Acre was for once indulg-
ing himself in the dangerous destinations
of a day dream.
IF | were only rich y he pondercd
to himself "Ab, i'll Then goodbye
to these misty old law books; goodbye
to all mcndcd boots and turned coats +:
and all the ways aud means that turn a
mans life into wretched bondage. -
Wouldn't ! revel in new books, and
delicious paintings. and high stepping
horses. Wouldn't buy set of jewels
for Edith-not pale pearls or sickly
emcralds, but diamonds to blaze like
links Of fire upon her royal throat
Wouldu't What nonsense I'm talking
thought he cried suddenly to himself
Philip Acre, hold your tongue. |
did suppose you were a fellow of good
sense Here you are, neither rich nor
distinguished, while Edith Wylis is as
far above your moonstruck aspirations
MS the Queen Of Night herself! She
loves me tbough--she'll wait-and the
time may one day come. IF only Dir,
Wyllis was not so distrustful Of a fellow
Halo! come in there, whoever you are !!
It was only the serving maid of the
lodging house, carrying letter in the
corner Of her apron, between her finger
and thumb.
Please, sir, the poslman has just
left it,"
"All right, Katy. Now, then" he
added as the door closed behind Katy's
substantial back, "et's see what my I'M
known correspondent has to say. A
black seal, eli ? Not having any reIa-
tions to lose, | am not alarmed at the
prognostic"
lie broke the seal and glanced leisure
ly over the short, business-like commu-
nicatiou within, with face that varied
from incredulous surprise to sudden
gladness
"Am | dreaming n he murmured,
rubbing bis eyes and shaking himself as
if to insure complete possession Of his
senses "No. I'm wide awake and 10
my right mind; it's no deIusion-no
part Of my Weakening visions. Bat who
would ever suppose that old Thomas
Mortimer, whom | hayn't seen since /
was boy Of sixteen, and picked him
out of the river half dead from cramp
and fright, would die and leave me all
his money! Why, I'm not the shadow
Of relation but then ! never heard the
old man had any kth or kin. 20 that !
cant imagine any harm in taking advan-
tage Of his odd freak Rich-am real
~ to be rich? Is my Aladdin vision to
be an actual fact? o, Edith. Edith p
He clasped both hands over his eyes,
sick and giddy with the thought that
the lovely far off star Of his alteration
would be brought to him at last by the
magnet. gold All those years Of patient
waiting were 10 be bridged over BY the
strange old niser's bequcst. ana he
might claim Edith now.
How full Of heart sunshine we're the
weeks that fitted over the head Of the
accepted lover, Frightened by Edith's
smile, made beautiful by the soft radi-
ance Of Edith's love There is only one
alIoying shadow-the almost impereep-
tible touch of distrust and suspicion with
which stern old DR. Wyllis regarded his
future son-in-law All be feared 10
trust his only child to the keeping Of
any man who had not been proved in the
fiery furnace OF Trial.