The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-06-24
A wicked thought passed her. What

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 her possession might some
how help her to win Lewis Vanwirt af-
ter all.
At that thought she snatched the will,
and hiding it in the folds of her dress
hurriedly retraced her steps.
She was too Hurried now to be as
cautious a. she was when she came out,
but as it happened she regained her
room without anyone seeing her. Laura
still slept.
Ethan Vanwirt had been dead about
a month His grandson had entered
into the possession of his estate without
any hindrance. There were rumors
about will, but when it could not be
found Mr.. Scribe concluded that the old
man had destroyed it, and refused,
when questioned, to tell who was
named in it.
Pauline Ruble was still visiting
Laura Work, although, to tell the
truth, her welcome had become some
what cold, both on Lauras part and
Mrs. Works
Laura was very unhappy. Lewis
Vanwirt scarcely ever spoke to her, ex-
cept in formal manner, although he
came to the house as often as formerly.
Apparently it was to see Pauline now
and though the gentle girl strove to feel
the same towards her false friend, she
could not quite do so.
Mrs. Work, beholding the detection
of young Vanwirt from her daughter,
wished most heartily that none of them
had ever seen Miss Ruble.
There was q 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 coldness he was always beside her,
and more than once she had fancled
that Pauline had deliberately contrived
to fasten him on her during the even
ing.
II must bring matters to crisis
soon," thought Pauline one night, as she
wreathed her beautiful face with smiles,
and pretended not to see Mrs. Works
unusual cold manner to her.
Presently, when Lewis Vanwirt
called, she was watching him, and drew
him at once into the garden. 81 want
to tell you something" she said, in her
soft voice "and, besides, Laura and
her lover are SO happy IN there BY
themselves, it would be pity to disturb
them"
Lewis Vanwirts handsome face turned
quite white.
elias she consented to marry him at
last4' he asked, bitterly.
"Oh, of course told you she would.
He is such a very moral Young man,
and dear Laura is SO very strict in her
ideas. l believe she thinks he has not
q vice in the world, and know if she
thought he ever touched q card she
would not have him now"
Lewis winked.
"Mr. Vanwirt," Pauline said sudden
", ''do you know to whom your grand
father left his money, in a will that was
never found ?"
81 do not know"
81 can tell you"
"You p He stared at her.
at gave everything to Laura Work. :"
"Impossible How do you know y
"Never mind l do know" Pauline
said, lifting her beautiful black eyes to
his in the moonlight. Moreover, that
will is in existence"
He stared At her harder than before
IL know where it is"
"You dor
"Would you like to see it = slipping
her hand into her pocket
81 certainly should"
"How would you like to sec Laura
and Robert Lester lording it at Vanwirt
Hsuser
Lewis ground his teeth with involun-
tary rage. That decided the false, bold
girl beside him.
Lewis Vanwirt," she said, "if that
will could be put in your possession to
do what you like with it, would you
marry q woman who loves you better