The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-02-18
The Unfinished Will.

table but yet the same iron will that had
marked his disposition in the prime of his
manhood, was not bent beneath the weight
of age. The old man had but one child
a son. That son had died. leaving an only
daughter, so that Solomon Vanwck had
but one living descendant, from himself,
the fair Isabella, his grandchld. Vanwick
was wealthy and proud, and among the
branch relations of his house, who hung
about him in hopes of golden remembrance
in his will, was Victor Waldamear, the son
Of the old nabob's sister.
Old Vanwiclz was sitting in his large arm
chair; near him stood Isabella, while at
one of the high gothic windows stood Vic
tor Waldamear. Isabella, though her eyes
we're fearless, had yet been weeping at the
heart, but she trembled not, nor did she
shrink before the stern gaze that was bent
upon her.
Isabella" said the old man, while a
meaning frown darkened his wlinkled face,
"this Alfred Norcross is not the man for
your husband. Do you understand me p"
81 understand what you say, grand
father, but think You can know little of
the man of whom you speak. If you did,
you would honor him for his virtues"
" When I say Norcross is not the man
for your husband, mean it!'' said the old
man; $50 from thenceforth you will see
him no more" .a
"No, no, my dear grandfather" exclaim-
ed Isabella, with an imploring look and
tone, "you will not persist in that You
will not thus crush me beneath your dis
pleasure
"Not if you obey me.''
" But Alfred is the son of my fathers
dearest friend.'
"Yes," returned Vanwick, with bitter
ness, and your fathers friend was my
enemy"
And will you, because there was an
unhappy difference between yourself and
the elder Norcross, now keep that enmity
alive against the unotfending son9n
"siitnce girl Let me hear no more Of
this. What have said is said, and it shall
never be recalled"
"Sir," said Isabella, while an inward
struggle to keep down her rising emotions
gave peculiar tremulousness to her tone,
"you are an old man, and your days on
earth are short I; but little Joy of this life is
left for you, while am young, and all of
active life is before me. The steps which
take now will give color to my future,
and be that future long or short, it must
be made happy or miserable according as
my steps are turned. My heart I have
given to Alfred Norcross in his keeping
have placed my purest affections, and ]
know that he is worthy of the trust. This
union of our young hearts is the basis OF
all our joy in the future, and cannot feel
that even you have right to rend it in
sunder."
Child do you prate to me of rightH'
uttered the old man. "Young Norcross
shall never touch one farthng of my
money. You shall not marry him, and il
he dares again"
"Holdp' interrupted Isabella, while a
strong calmness seemed to support her,
whatever you have to say against me,
am ready to hear; but speak not against
Alfred Norcross, for he is may hasbad?'
"Your husband p reiterated old Van.
wick, grasping the arms of his chair with
his bony hands. Isabella, speak that
word again p
"Alfred Norcross is my husband p pro
nounced the fair girl, in a firm tone.
"Then," returned the old man, as hii
face grew livid and his teeth gratec
together, "go and live with your hus
band. From henceforth you are nothing
to me. have forgotten you-your image
is wrenched from my heart. Cross not m,
threshold again. Go you are discarded
and forever p
But my grandfather"
"silence, miscreant Out of my house
and never let me set eyes on you again !"
"Then farewell, and may Heaven ye
pour the balm Of forgiveness DER you
soul" said Isabella, as she half turnc,
away; but ere she went, she gazed ono,
more into his passion-wrought face, an,
with starting tear she continued
"Your loncy, grandfather, l neve
coveted, but your love would fain retain
Your property may go to those who ham
about you for its possessions, but you
hearts affections will find no better rest
ing-place than in the bosom of your grand
child, for there, at least, they will be re
ciprocated." Y,