Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1882-07-15

| 10 themselves.
"You are looking grave, Philip
said Edith, as he bent over and kissed
her cheek.
"And l am feeling so, darling. l
have a very unpleasant disclosure to
make io-night-our marriage must be
postponed indefinitely
"Philip-fol what reason2''
ITO enable me by diligent labor at
my profession, to realize sufficient
means to support you, dearest, in a
manner satisfactory to your fathers
expectations and my own wishes"
"But, Philip, thought"
''You thought me heir TO Thomas
Mortimer's wealth. So was, Edith,
a few hours since; | have relinquished
all claimes to it now. When | accept
ed the bequest I was under the i'm
preston thst no living heir existed.
| learned to-day that distant cousin
"a woman-is still living, although
my lawyer tells me, in ignorance Of
her relationship to Thomas Mortimer.
OF course I shall transfer the property
immediately"
"But, Philip, the will has made it
lesally yours"
Legally it has; but Edith, could I
reconcile it with my ideas Of truth and
honor to avail myself of old Nor
timers fanciful Greal; at this woman's
expense Imight take the boarded
wealth, but should never respect my
self again could dream Of legally
defrouding the rightful heir. Nay,
dearest, I may lose fame and wealth,
but I would rather die than suffer a
single stain on my honor as Chris
tiau gentleman"
"You have done right, Philip, said
Edith with sparkling eyes. 1--WE will
wait, and hope on, happy in loving
each ether more dearly than ever.
But who is she? What is der name p
"That just what I didn't stop to
inquire. l will write TO nay lawyer
to ask these questions, and to direct
that deed of conveyance be Instantly
made out j; and then, darling"
His lips quivered moment, yet he
manfully completed the sentence:
"Then l will begin the battle oflife
over again"
And Edith's loving eyes told him
what she thought of his noble self
abnegation--a sweet testimonial.
"Humph 2" said DR.. Wyllis, polish
ing his eyeglasses magisterially with
crimson handkerchief. Il didn't
suppose that young fellow had SO
much stamina about him-a very
honorable thing to do, Edith. have
never felt exactly sure about Phil
Acres being worthy of you before"
"Pspa !"
But my mind is made up now.
When is he coming again p
"Thia evening"" faltered Edith,
the violet eyes softly dropping.
"Tell him, Edith, that he may
have you next Wednesday, just the
same as ever. And as for law prac-
ticing-why, there's time enough for
that afterward. Child, don't strangle
me with kisses--save them for Phil"
He looked after his daughter with
eyes that were strangely dim.
"Tried-and not found wanting"
he murmgred 2 Z iastinotiselJ; \ t
The perfume of orange blossoms
had died away, the glimmer pearls of
and satin were hidden away in velvet
csskets and travelling trunks, and Mr..
and Mrs. Acre, old married people Of
a months duration, were driving
along in the amber glow of glorious
sunset.
"Hellol which way is Thomas
going?" said Philip, leaning from
the window, as the carriage turned
out Of the main road.
al told him the direction to take,
Phil! )" said Edith, with bright, spark
ling eyes. Let me have my own way
jw4t for once. We are going to our
ew home"
"Aro we ?" said Phil, with conf
cal grimacs. at is to be love in q
cottage, suppose ?"
"Wait until you see, cir" said
Mrs. Acre, pursipg her little rosebud
of mouth and Philip waited duti-
fully.
Where are we2" he asked, in as
tonishment, when the carriage drew