South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-06-18
Gus old man said, and would hear no.h.

The viii duly signed, witnessed and
sealed, he told the lawyer where TO put
il in his desk, which stood within his
view.
is it safe heree' Mr.. Scribe asked.
Il see no key
'Who would touch it?' the sick man
asked, irritably. 1T would benef: no
one but Lewis, and the Vauwirts are
not thieves whatever else they may be.
Besides, how DO you know that I may
( not change my mind at the last moment
and destroy it yet? Go now, please.
and tell some one to send my grandson
to me-
Pauline would have liked TO stay aud
witness this Interview also, but she did
not dare. Laura must be wondering
greatly now where she was.
She found that Laura had come out
Of the sick room so agitated that Mrs.
Beckett, the housekecpcr, had made her
lie down, and was now sitting with her.
The night was by this time so far adj
vanced, and Laura seemed go i'll, that il
was decided that the two girls should
remain till morning.
Pauline took the houskeeper's place
beside her friend, and in short time
Laura fell asleep, As Pauline sat there
watching the white, childish face Of the
girl she pretended TO love, her brain was
full of wicked, envious thoughts.
Laura was already rich, she was poor,
and yet 20 her who had alrcady,so much,
the great Vanwirt property had just been
given. She envied her the handsome
lover with whom, she herself was moro
than half In love, and whom, hitherto,
she had not been without hope of win
ming away from Laura.
But of course he will have 10 marry
her now she thought bitterly.
Suddenly, as she sat there, the deep
silence was broken by the souni of some
4 commotion in the kouse-she heard
steps and excited voices.
What can it be-? she wondered
Mr.. Vanwirt must BIO worse
She sat listening some moments, then
she rose softly. Laura was sill sleep
ins. Pauline succeeded in opening tie
door without disturbing her, and stole
ont into the hall.
From the landing she could see the
servants below hurrying about with
awe-strucIS looks.
An impulse Of unsovernablc curiosity
seized her. She watched her chance,
and, gliding down the stairs, slipped
through the opea door without being
seen, and passed swiftly along the We
randall, till she came TO the window
where she had already spent 50 much
time. One glance TT the Bed told her
what had happened. Ethan Yanwirt
WAS dead. A sudden awe and horror
seizei her. She was about TO flee the
spot when her eyes fell upon the desk
in which she had seen the will placed.
4 wonder if it is here yet?' she thought
No one was in the room ~ the mo-
ment, though the door in the next one
stood open and she could hear voices.
Il am sure | can reach il from here.
| should know it q: q glance, she
museH. She put her hand in and raised
the lid. There it was.
a wicked thought crossed her. What
il she took il? No one wouli ever
know. The lawyer would think Mr..
Vanwirt had destroyed it, as he said inc
might, and Laura could not get tue
Vanwirt fortune without it. Besides,
that will in her possession might some
how help her to win Lewis Vanwirt
after all.
az the thought she snatched the will,
and hiding it in the folds of her dress.
she hurriedly relraccd her steps.
She was too furried now TO be as eau
tons a. she was when she came out, but,
as it happened, she rcgained her room,
without any one seeing her. Laura
still slept.
Ethan Vanwirt had been dead about
a month. His grandson had entered
into possession ofhis estate without any
| hindrauco. There were rumors about
! will; bat when il could not be found
| Mr.. Scribe concluded that the old man
| had destroyed it, and refused. when
! questioned TO tell who was named in IL.
Pauline Rublc was still visiting Laura
Work. although, to toll the truth, her
welcome had grown somewhat cold,
both on Lau7a's part and Mrs Work S.
Laura was very unhappy. Lewis Van.
Writ scarcely ever spoke TO her, except
in the most formal manner, though ho
came TO the house rs formerly. Appa-
rently il was TO sec Pauline now and
though the gentle girl strove TO feel the
same toward her false friend she could
not quite 10 so.
Mrs. Work, beholding the detection
OF young Vanwirt from her daughter,
wished most heartily that they had none
Of them ever seen Miss Ruble..
There was n certain rejected sutton Of
Laura's, named Robert Lester, who about
this time took advantage OF the situa-
ton TO renew his devotion TO her. Lau.
RI bad never liked him, and liked him
less than ever now. but In spite Of her
GOODNESS he was always beside her now,
and more Than once sho fancied that
q Pauline had deliberately contryed 10
fasten him upon her for The evening
j must bring matters TO crisis soon,
| thought Poulino one night. rs she wreath.
ed her brilliant face with smiles, and
/ pretended not TO perceive Mrs. Works
unusual cold manner TO her.