The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-06-24
The Stolen Will.

his DAYS were numbered, the first thing
he said was:
"Send for Miss Work; l must see
Miss Work before l die"
Singular as the demand seemed. no
one thought of questioning it. Miss
Work was sent for.
Laura turned quite white when the
strange, imperative summons came to
her; and then she was told that he who
sent it was dying.
"Dyingp she whispered, her blue
eyes 6lled with tears.
"What can he want4 Shall you 60,
Laura y asked Pauline Ruble, who was
visiting her.
ooh, YES poor old man am sorry
for him. Certainly l will 60. But am
frightened, Pauline; l never saw any
one die"
The pretty, childish creature was
trembling from head to foot.
ra,Iine put her arm around the slight
figure, and drew the golden head down
upper her shoulder. She was several
inches taller than Laura, and far hand
somer in her own opinion.
"Little fool" she thought, as she ca
re,sed the fair face with her white hand.
"Of course it is something about Lewis
Vanwirt,"
Aloud she said insultingly: ~ had
better 60 with you dear; don't you think
sof
ooh, if you only will ~ cried Laura,
eagerly.
Mrs. Work was quite an invalid, and
could not accompany her daughter so
she was very glad to have Pauline 60
with her.
As the carriage drove off with the two
girls, Pauline sank back upon the couch
with thoughtful look.
ut must be something about his
grandson. l hope Laura won't be
silly"
The ladies we're shown at once into
Mr. Vanwirt's apartment.
The sick man frowned at the sight of
Pauline.
81 wish to see you alone, Laura, my
child" he said.
"Ill wait for you in the next room,
darling" Pauline volunteered promptly,
and departed.
"Mr. Vanwirt, Lewis has come, slr,"
the servant said, as he was leaving the
room, in obedience to an impatient ges-
ture from his master.
Let him watt" said the old man,
grimly.
The night was warm, and the win
dows were all open. The sick room
and the one next to it both looked upon
a wide veranda, which ran across
the entire front of the grand old man
sion.
1t was an easy thing for Pauline to
step out upon this vsrandA without at
tracing attention, and pass along to the
window of the sick room.
81 want to know what he wants OF
her." she said to herself, "and Laura is
such an obstinate little oh lid sometimes,
that as likely IS not she wouldn't tell
me-"
81 have sent for you, Laura" the dy-
ing man was saying, ito ask you if you
love my grandson
Lauras sweet face clouded with GRIM
son, and then grew white again. She
vas trembling 30, poor child, she could
hardly stand.
"My DEAR" he said, 81 am dying or
would not ask you such question.
Lew is my only sons only child. II l
die without . will the whole Vanwirt
property will fall to him as the natural
heir; but the boy has taken to DAD habits
lately, 1 Am afraid. He gambes, / have
heard. His father did before him. The
taste of it is in the Vanwirt blood. II
came near being my ruin at his very
age But promised the woman mar
ried would never touch card gam
if ,he would have me, and l never did
Nv grandson loves you as only van
writ can. 1t is my only hope for him
Am wrong, my child, in believing that
you care for him Z
Laura's pale lips opened, but she die
not utter word
"Li,te fool r thought Pauline.
81 sten to me old Ethan NanTir'