Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1885-12-05

NS'ioS, WlCll louilUdiHS duu Sill uUUCIJ
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.
Wyllis, with an arch nod at her
niece, disappeared into the perfumed
prospective Of the conservatory, leav-
ing the lovers to themselves.
"You are looking grave, Philip"
said Edith.
"And | am feeling SO, dear. |
have a very unpleasant disclosure to
make to-night-our marriage must be
postponed indefinitely"
"Philip!-for what reason ?"
''To enable me, by dillgent 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, l Thought"
"You thought me heir to Thomas
Mortimer's wealth. So I was, Edith,
few hours since, but l have re-
linquished all claim to it Low.
When | accepted the bequest / was
under the impression that no living
heir existed. | learned today that a
distant cousin-a woman-is still
living, although in ignorance of her
relationship to Thomas Mortimer.
OF course | shall transfer the prop
erty to her Immediately"
"But, Philip, the will has made it
legally yours"
Legally it has; but, Edith, could
| reconcile it with my ideas of truth
and honor to avail myself of old
Mortlmer's fanciful freak at this
woman's expense? l might take the
boarded wealth, but I should never
respect myself again could l dream
of legally defrauding the rightful
heir. Nay, dearest l may lose name
and wealth, but l would rather die
than suffer single stain on my hon
or as Christian gentleman"
"You have done right, Philip"
said Edith, with sparkling eyes. "We
will wait, and hope on, happy in lov-
ing one another more dearly than
ever. But who is she? What is her
name %
''That is just what I did not stay
to inquire. l will write to my law
yer to ask these questions, and to di-
rect that deed of conveyance be
instantly made out; and then, dar-
ling" His lips quivered q moment,
yet he manfully completed his SEN
tence "Then I will begin the battle
of life over again"
And Edith's loving eyes told him
what she thought of his noble self
abnegation.
"Humph!' said DR.. Wyllis, polish
ing his eyeglasses magisterially with
crimson silk handkerchief. 81
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 be-
fore"
"Papa!'
Gut my mind is made up now.
When is he coming again 2"
"This evening"" faltered Edith, the
violet eyes softly dropping.
"Tell him, Edith, that he may
nave you next Wednesday the same
as ever. And rs for law-practicing
why, there is time enough for that
afterward. Child, don'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 murmured lnstnctively.
r X
The perfume Of orange blossoms
had died away, the gllmmer of pearls
and satin were hidden away in velvet
caskets and travelling trunks, and Mr..
and Mrs. Acre, old married people of a
months duration, were driving along
a country road in the amber glow of
a glorious June sunset.
"Hallo! which way is Thomas 60
ing?" said Philip, leaning from the
window, as the carriage turned out
of the main road.
81 told him the direction to take,
Phil said Edith, with bright, spark