River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-08-30

up between you to wait until was dead
and then marry and enjoy my money; so
| made new will secretly, and gave
everything to Blanche. ] wish / hadn't
| want to alter it now. Send for the law
yers again. Virginia, do send
But Virginia had already flown to the
bell at the first intimation of this terrible
truth which she had never guessed.
The ready James, her own tool, made
his app earance once more.
Mrs. Aubrey stepped out and put her
hands upon him.
take the fastest horse in the stables,
and ride for your life after the first law
yer you can find. If you get him here
in time you shall have a hundred pounds
yourself.
James stared at her
'sDo you mean it this timer"
II mean it. | have made an awful
mistake. shall be beggar if the law
yer doesn't get here in time to make a
will. Flym
II will. I'll have him here in forty
minutes by the clock. The old man
won't die that soon," James said, as he
dashed away.
Virginia Aubrey masked her deeeitful
face in sweetness again, and went back to
her dying husband.
She glided into the next room and
swiftly removing her velvet dress, put on
soft, unrustling wrapper of merino.
1T would never do to be seen in a
dress like that at such time she NUT
| tered.
Then she went and sat down where she
could watch the sick mans livid face
and the clock alternately.
An hour went by, and no lawyer.
Why did not James come backs'
James was lying by the roadside, about
a mile away with broken leg.
He had taken the fiercest horse in the
stable, and not being much Of a rider, had
been thrown.
Virginia Aubrey stole out of the room
at last-shc could endure the suspense nc
longer-and sent another man after Law
yer Judd.
1t was nearly morning then, and day
was breaking as the lawyer at last rode
up to the door of Aubrey House.
But he was too late.
Virginia going back to her husband
after she had dispatched a second mes
senger for Mr.. Judd, was struck by the
singular stiffness of the room-that awful
stiffness which we who have ever been
in a room with the dead know is like nc
other.
She went straight to the bedside and
touched the quiet face on the pillow with
| her hand.
/ He was dead.
The woman shut her teeth hard to keep
back a scream, and went TO searching the
house for that second will of which he
had told her.
But she could not find it.
She was still searching when the law
yer arrived;
The day Of the funeral came.
Robert Aubrey was buried with due
pomp and ceremony.
His young and lovely widow-loveliel
than ever in her deep mourning-sat in
the library after all was over.
The first WILL which gave her every
thing, was in her possession.
She sat prepared to produce if no later
will appeared.
Blanche Aubrey came in weeping, and
recoiled at sight of her.
"She never sent me word when poor
papa lay dying, and she knew it days be-
fore; and papa died thinking me cruel,
wicked girl" Blanche said to Mr.. Judd
who was beside her.
The lawyer conducted Blanche to a seat
and bowed TO the others in the room.
Then lie proceeded to open paper he
held in his hand.
Virginia turned cold.
1t was the second will.
1t gave everything to Blanche.
In thwarting her husband at first in his
wish to make will Virginia Aubrey had
overreached herself