The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-03-06

u am not sure, after all, that will
would not make everything safer"
Then he ordered the attendant who had
Just come in to go and bring Mr. Scribe.
Can he be going to make will after
alIf' wondered Pauline. "Pll wait and
scc."
She resumed her listening attitude, we'll
screened from view by the shrouding folks
OF the heavy slken curtains.
10 her amaZcment, she heard tho sick
man debating will to his lawyer, in which
he left everything he possessed to Laura
Work absolutely.
MIR. Scribe vcnturcd to demonstrate, but
it was Of no use.
81 know what l am about" the impc-
rious old man said, and would hear nothing.
The will duly signed, Witnessed and
scaled, he told the lawyer where to put it
in.his desk, which stood within his view.
els it safe hcrc2' Mr.. Scribe asked. 81
see no key"
"Who would touch III" the sick man
asked, irntably. ''It would benefit no one
but Lewis, and the Vanwirts are not thieves
whatever else they may be. Besides, how
do you know that | may not change my
mind at the last moment and destroy il
yctF Go now, please, and tell some one to
SChb my grandson to me-"
Pauline would have liked to stay and
witness this interview also, but she did not
dare. Laura must be wondering greatly
now where she was.
She found that Laura had come ont of
the sick-room SO agitatcd that Mrs. Beckett,
the housekccpcr, had made her lie down,
and was now sitting with her.
The night was by this time so far ad-
yanccd, and Laura seemed SO ill, that it was
decided that the two girls should remain
till morning. A.
Pauline took the houscllccpcr's place be-
side her friend, and in short time Laura
fell asleep. AS Pauline sat there watching
the white, childish face of the girl she pre-
tended to love, her brain was full Of wicked
and cnvious thoughts.
Laura was already rich she was poor;
and yet to her who already had 80 much,
the whole great Fanwirt property had just
been gwen. She cnvied her the fortune,
and she cnvied her the handsome lover,
with whom she was herself more than half
in love, and whom, hitherto, size had not
been without hope of winning away from
Laura yet.
''But of course he will have to marry her
now" she thought, bitterly.
Suddenly, as she sat there, the deep
silence was broken by the sound of some
commotion in the housc-shc heard hurried
steps and excited voices.
''What can il bc?" she wondered. "Mr.
Vanwirt must be worse"
She sat listening some moments, then
she rose softly. Laura was still sleeping.
Pauline succeeded in opening the door with
out disturbing her, and stole out INTO The
hall.
From the landing, she could sec the ser
wants below hurrying about with awc-struck
looks
AN impulse of ungovcrnablc curiosity
seized her. She watched her chance and,
gliding down the stairs, slipped through
the open door without being seen, and
passed swiftly along the vcranda, till she
came to tho window where she had already
spent SO much time.
One glance at the bed told her what had
happened. Ethan Vanwirt was dcad A
sudden awe ana horror seized her.
She was about to flee the spot, when her
eyes fell upon the desk in which she had
seen the will placed.
81 wonder if ii is there ycl2" she thought.
No one was in the room at the moment,
though the door into the next one stood
open, and she could hear voices.
81 am sure can reach it from here.
should know it at glance" she muscd
She put her hand in and lifted tho lid.
There it was.
wicked thought crossed her What if
she took it2 No one would ever know.
The lawyer would think Mr.. Vanwirt had
destroyed it, as he said he might, and Laura
could not get the Vanwirt fortune without
it. Besides, that will in hor possession
might somehow help her to win Lewis Van
writ after all.
At that thought she snatchcd the will,
and hiding it in the folds of her dress, hur-
ricdly rctraccd her steps.
She was too ilurricd now to be as cautious
as she was when she came out, but rs it
happened, she rcgaincd her room without
any one seeing her. Laura still slept.
Ethan Vanwirt had been dead about a
month. His grandson had entered into
possession of his estate without hlndrancc
There were rumors about will; but, whe,
it could not be found, Mr.. Scribe concluded
that the old man had destroyed it, and re-
fused, when questioned, to tell who was
named in it.
Pauline Rublo was still visiting Laura
Work, although, truth to tell, her welcome
had grown somewhat cold, both on Laura's
part and Mrs. Works.
Laura was very unhappy. Lewis Van
writ scarce ever spoke to her, except in the
most formal manner, though he came to
the house as often as formerly. Apparently
1t was to see Pauline now, and though the
gentle girl strovc to feel the same toward
her false friend, she could not quite.
Mrs. Work, bcholding the detection of
young Vanwirt from her daughter, wished
most heartily they had mono of them ever
seen Mis-, Ruble.
There was certain rejected suitor Of
Laura's, named Robert Lester. who about
this time took advantage of the situation to
renew his devotion to her. Laura had never
liked him, and liked him less than ever
now; but in spite Of her coldncss he was
always beside her now, and more than once
she had fancied that Pauline had dciber.
ately contrvcd to fastcn him upon her for
the evening. Il
81 must bring matters to a crisis soon,"
thought Pauline, one night, as she wreathcd
her brilliant face with smiles, and pretended