Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-02-21


/ h." :.
! And all the theologians in=the worlG
could not have improved upon the faltl
of this simple, unlettered old farmer.
/ Honesty Wins.
| The hour hand of Philip Acres old
| fashioned silver watch was pointing to
| the figure eight; the snug red curtain!
shut out the rain and darkness of the
March night, and the fire cracked and
snapped behind the red-hot bars of ths
| crate in cosy and comfortable sort OF
/ way. casting rosy shine into the
thoug ghtful brown eyes that were trac
ling castles and coronets in the brightly
lb4rDing Goals.
y ''If were only rich !" be pondered tt
himself. "Ah, if! Then good by tc
these musty OLD law books !; good by tc
ell mended boots and turned coats and
all the ways and means that turn 9
mans life into wretchsd bondage
| Wouldn't revel in new books and de.
liciOus paintings and high stepping
for Edith-not pale pearls or sickly
.
links of fire upon her royal throat -
Wouldn't I-what nonsense I'm talk
| ing though !" he cried suddenly to him.
self. "Phllip Acre, hold sour tongue
] i supposed you we're mas of sense =
Here you are, n4i.i.-r rich nor distin-
guisbed, while Ehich Wyllis Is as far a.
bove our ii,"on struck aspirations as
!ihe queen Of nigh. herself! She loves
inc though-she'l wait-and the time
may one day come. If only Or. Wyllis
! was not 30 dIstrustful of q fellow
Halo! come in there, whoever you
are!"
| It was only the serving. maid OF
the lodging house, carrying . letter in
lhe corner OF her apron, between her
finger and thumb.
please, sir, the postman has just left
| it,"
"All right, Katy. Now tben.n he
added as the door closed behind Katy's
substantial figure, ''les's see what my
unknown correspondent has to say. A
black seal, OF? ? Not having any relations
TO lose I am not alarmed at the prog
llostic."
He broke the seal and glanced leisure.
| -y over the short, business. like COM
nunication within, with face that
varied from incredulous surprise to sud-
1en gladness.
cam I drsaming"" he murmured,
rubbing his eyes and shaking himself
as if to insure complete possession of his
senses, mo, I'm wide awake and in my
right mind it's no delusion-n part of
my weakening visions But who would
| ever suppose that old Thomas Mortimer,
| whom 1 haven't seen since I was boy
of sixteen, aud 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 a relation;
| but then have never heard the old man
had any kith or kin, 80 that I can't
imagine any harm in taking advantage
OF his odd freak. Rich-am really to
be rich I? Is my Aladdin vision to be an
actual fact? Oh, Edith, Edith?
1 He clasped both hands over his eyes.
sick and giddy with the thought that
the lovely. far-oft star of his alteration
would be brought to him at last by the
waiting were to be bridged over by the
strange old miser's bequest, and he
might claim Edith now
| How full of heart sunshine were the
weeks that fitted over the head of the
accepted lover, frightened by Edith's
smile, made beautiful by the soft radi-
Bnce of Edith's love. There was only
one shadow-the almost imperceptible
touch of distrust and suspicion with
| which stern old DR.. Wyllis regarded his
future son-in-law. Ah, he feared to
trust his only child to the keeping of any
man who had not been proved in the
| fiery furnace of trial.
1t was precisely week before the day
appointed for the wedding, as the soft
| lights, yelled by shades of glass, were
just lighted in DR.. Wy Ills drawing room
| where Edith sat among her white roses
and heliotrope, working on bit Of cam
brio ruttle and singing to herself. She
was slender beautiful girl, with vio-
let eyes, a blue veined forehead, and
glossy, abundant curls of that pale gold
that old painters love to portray.
II wonder if Mortimer Place is so very
| lovely 2" she sAid to silver haired lady
who sat opposite. Phil is going to take
me there when we return from our wed
ding tour; he says it is the sweetest
place poets fancy can devise. with
fountains and strawberries and delicate
copses. Oh, shall we not be happy
| there.
She started with bright, sudden
blush for even while the words were
trembling on her lips Philip Acre came
into the room, his face looking troubled,
yet cheerful withal Mrs. Wyliis, with
an arch nod at her niece, disappeared
into the perfumed prospective of the
conservatory, leaving the lovers to them.
selves.
"You are looking grave, Philip" said
Edith, as he bent over and kissed her
cheek.
"And am FEELING SO, darling. have
a very unpleasant disclosure to make to-
night-our marriage must be postponed
indefinitely"
"Philip!- for what reason ?n
"To enable me, by diligent labor at
my profession, to realize. sufficient
means to support you, dearest, in man"
ner satisfactory to your fathers expec-
tations and my own wishes"
.'But Philip, l thought"
"You thought me heir to Thomas
Mortimer's wealth. So was, Edith, a
few hours since, but have relinquish-
all claims to it now. When accented
the bequest was under the impressio on
that no living heir existed. 1 learned
to-day that distant cousin a-woman
lis still living, although, my lawyer
tcllS Iuc, III u uOiouCc VI u6r rolat1O0r
ship to Thomas Mortimer. OF course I
shall transfer the property to her i'm
mediately."
But, Philip, the will has made it lie
gally yours"
Legally it has !; but, Edith, could 1
reconcile it with my ideas of truth and
honor to avail myself OF old Mortimer's
fanciful freak at this woman g ex pense !?
I might take the bearded wealth, but
should never respect myselfagai could
dream of legally defrauding the right
full heir. Nay, dearest. Imay lose name
and wealth, but would rather die than
suffer single stain on my honor as a
Christian gentleman"
You have done right, Philip" said
Edith, with sparkling eyes. 1--WE will
wait. and hope on, happy in loving one
another more dearly than ever. But who
is she? What is her name?''
''That's just what didn't stay to in.
quire. will write to my lawyer to ask
these questions, and to direct that q
deed of conveyance be instantly made
out; and then, darling His lips
quivered moment, yet he manfully
1