Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1881-03-19

Aou oAt Ac'hiuo grave. uilEt' eohA
Edith, as he bent over and kissed her
cheek
''And am feeling 80, darling. have
very unpleasant disclosure TO make to-
nlght-our marriage must be postponed in
definitely
''Philip, for what reason2'
''ro enable me, by diigens labor at my
profession, to realize sufficient means 10
support you, dearest, in manner sstisfac-
tory to your fathers expectations and my
own wishes"
''But Philip, thought
You thought me the heir of Thomas
Mortimer wealth. So l was, Edith, a
few hours since, but have relinquished all
claim to it now. Wher | accepted the be-
quest was under the impression tn It no
living heir existed | learned to-day that
distant COUSIN WON an is still alive. al
though. my lawyer tells me, in ignorance
Of her relationship to Thomas Mortimer.
OF course | shall transfer the property to
her Immediately,
But Philip, the WI, has made it legal
ly yours
Legally it has, but Edith, could l
reconcile it with my ideas Of truth and
honor TO avail myself Of old Mortimer's
fanciful freak at this woman's expensel l
might take the boarded wealth, but should
never respect myself again could dream
Of legally defraudng the rightful heir.
! Nay dearest, may lose name and wealth,
| but | would rather die than suffer single
stain on my honor as Christian gentle
man.
You 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 she9 What is her name :"
That's just what | didn't stop to in
qulre. | will write again to my lawyer to
ask these questions, land to direct that
deed OF conveyance be instantly made out
and then darlins-'
His lips auiverei a moment, yet he
manfully completed the sentence: ''Then
| will begin the battle Of life over again"
And Edith's loving eyes told him what
she thought Of his noble self-abnegation-
a sweet testimonial.
"Hnm..' said DR.. Wyllis, polishing his
eyeglasses maglsterially with crimson
silk handkerchief "a didn't suppose that
young fellow had so much stamina about
hIm-a very honorable thing to do, Edith.
| have never exactly felt sure about Phil
Acres being worthy of you before"
Papa. -
''But my mind is made up now. When
is he coming again.
''Tnis evening"" faltered Edith, the vio-
let eyes softly dropping.
"Iell him, Edith, that he may have you
next Wednesday, just the same as ever,
And as for law practclng-why there's
time enough for that afterwards Child,
don't strangle me with yonr 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 glimmer of pearls and sat
in were hidden in velvet caskets and trav-
eling trunks, and Mr.. and Mrs. Acre, old
married people of months duration, were
driving along country road In the amber,
glow OF q glorious June sunset.
Halo. which way is Thomas going?'
said Philip, leaning from the window, as
the carriage turned out of the main road.
II told HIM the direction to take, Phil, y
said Edith, with bright, sparkling eyes.
Let me have my own way just for once.
We are going to our new home"
"Are wef' sad Phil, with comical
grimace. 1t is TO be love iu a Cottage,
suppose
Wait until you see, SIR said Mrs
Acre pursing her little rosebud Of a mouth
And Philip waited dutlo lsly.
'Where are WEI" he asked in as;onish-
mcnt when the carriage drew up in from,
!, Of stately pIlared portlco which seemed
to be not unfamiliar to HIM, surely this
is Mortimer Place"
Il shouldn't be surprised if i: was" SAID
Dr. Wyilis, emerging from the doorway
walk III, my boy-oonc Edith. Wei
| how 90 you like your new home:'
''Our new home" repeated Phil. s.
. do not understand YOU. sir
/ Why, mean Your little wife yonder i
4 the sole surviving relative of Thomas Nor
timer, although she never knew it unit
c this morning. Her mother was old Nor
: timer cousin, but al absurd quarrel haC
/, caused cessation OF intercourse between
i the two branches OF the family. | wa
: aware OF the fact all along, but I WASH
j: sorry to avail myself Of the opportunity o.
Il seeing Whist kind Of stuff you were mad
: Of, Pan Ac-e, .ini nov, as the deed o
L conveyance lsAt ia ie oa: ye', | do 10
i suppose Your lawyer need trouble hin>el
/. ab III il. The heress won't quarrel Will
y !, YOU, il lie h1und'
i Phi Aces cheek flushed AMI ,heg
|. grew pale with strong hidden emotion, 8
e lie looked at his lar wife, standing besid
J him, when the sunset turned her brish
l. hair to coils 0: shining gold, and l.
" thought how unerrlngly the hand Of provi
!. dence had s,raishiened on. the tang ed We
4 Of his destiny.
:. Ga, Of the darkness had come light