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

when they tOld Old Ethan Nanwrit that
his days were numbered, the first thing he
said was:
."SenI for Miss Work, must see Laura
Work before die"
Singular as the demand seemed, no one
thought of questioning ii. Miss Work was
sent for.
Laura turned quite white when the
strange, imperative summons first came,
and she WAS rOld that hc who sent il w"
dying.
"Dying?" she whispered, her blue eyes
filling with tears
'What can lie wnnt2 VIII YOU 90,
LauraI" asked Pauline Rublc, who was
visiting her.
"Oh, yes, yes! Poor old man! lam SO
sorry for him. Certainly will go. But |
am frightened, Pauline. | never saw any
one die"
The pretty, childish creature was trcm-
bling from head to foot.
Pauline put her arm round the slight
figure, and drew the golden head down
upon her shoulder She was several inches
taller than Laura, and far handsomcr, in
her own opinion.
Little FOOL" she thought, us she carcsscd
the lalr, iiowcr-likc face with her slim
white hand. cor course i. IS something
about Lewis Nanwir"
Aloud she said, insn,mtngly:
81 had better go with you, dear. Don't
you think so2"
"Oh, if you only will!' Laura cried
eagerly.
Mrs. Work was quite an invalid, and
could not accompany her daughter, so she,
also, was very glad to have Pauline go with
her.
As the carriage drove off with the two
girls, she sank back upon her sofa, with Il
thoughtful look
cit must be something about his grand
son: hope Laura won't be silly"
The young ladies were shown ut once
into MIR. Vanwirt's apartment.
The sick man Irowncdat sight of Pauline
~! wish to see you alone. Laura, my
child" he said.
81 will wait for you in the next room,
darllng' Pauline volunteered, promptly,
and departed.
"Mr. Lewis has come, sin, the attendant
said as he was leaving the room, in obcdi-
cnce to an impatient gesture from his
master.
"Lct him watt" the ola man said,
grimy.
The night was warm, and the windows
were all open. The sick-room and the one
next to it both looked upon a wide vcran-
da, which ran across the entire front of the
grand old mansion.
1t was an easy thing for Pauline to step
out upon this vcranda without attracting
attention, and pass along to the window of
the sick room.
81 want toknow what he wants with herr
she said to herself; "and Laura is such an
obstinate little chit sometimes, as likely as
not she would not tell me-"
81 have sent for you, Laura Work." the
dying man was saying, "to ask you if you
love my grandson"
Laura's sweet face clouded with crimson
ana then grew white again. She was trem-
bling so, poor child she could scarcely
stand.
'My DEAR" he said, ''I am diving, or I
would not ask you such question. Lewis
was my only sons only child. If die
without a will, tho Whole Vanwirt propcrty
will fall to him as the neutral heir; but the
boy has taken to bad courses lately, ! am
afraid. lie CANDLES, have heard. His
father did before him. The taste for it is
in tho Nanwirt blood. 1t came near being
my ruin, at his very age. But promised
the woman l married That | would never
touch card again, If she would have me,
and never did. My grandson loves you
as only Vanwirt can. In that is my only
hope for him. Am wrong, my child in
believing that you care for him2''
Laura's pale lips opened, but sho would
not utter a word.
Little fool!" thought Pauline.
Listen to mel" old Ethan Vauwirt said,
: lifting himself upon his elbow, IN his cx-
citemcnt. 'If you love Lewis, and promise
me that before you consent to marry him,
you will exact from him the same pledge
! my wife dl from me, he shall be my heir.
II not, The money goes away from him.
Speak, child! My lawyer waits now to
make my will" ,,
E Laura burst into tears.
81 do love him!" she stammercd. 81
will promise anything rather than you
should do such dreadful thing But.
what-if he does not care for nc as you
think2n
" will risk that; / know lie does. All
ask OF you Is your promise not to marry
himtill he has solcmnly sworn he will never
touch q card again. Give mo your hand,
child, and say the words over after mc.'
Laura obcyed him, more calmly than
might have been expected In her half-hys-
terical state. SBS.3i (. M
God bless you'll" ho said, as he let her
I go. OIL bsve made my dying moments