South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-06-18
THE STOLEN Will.

~~o IVY wiz NauWEt tuay
MS days were numbered, the first thing
he said was
Send for Miss Work; must see
Miss Work before / de-
Singular AS The demand seemed, no
one thought Of questioning it. Miss
Work was sent for,
Laura turned quito white when the
strange. imperative summons first came
to her; and then she was told lie who
sent it was dying.
'DyingF she whispered, her blue eyes
filed with tears.
What can he want? Shall you 90,
Lamar asked Pauline Rub!e, who was
visiting her
ooh, yes, yes; poor old mani am
sorry for hun, Certainly I will CO.
But am frightened, Pauline, for new
er saw any one die
The pretty, chiidless creature was
trembling from head to foot.
Pauline put her arm around the slight
figure and drew tho golden head down
upon her shoulder. She was several
inches taller than Laura AMI far hand
somer-in her own opinion.
Little fool she thought, as she ca
ressed the fair, flowcr-lile face with her
slim white hand. OF course it is some
thing about Lewis Vanwirt.'
Aloud, she said, insinuatingly Il
had better go with you, dear; don't you
think SOP
ooh. 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 10 have Pauline
go with her.
AS the carriage drove eff with the two
girls she sank back upon tho couch with
a thoughtful look.
1T must be something about his
grandson. hope Laura won't he silly
| The ladies were shown at once into
Mr.. VanwirIs apartment. The sick
man frowned at the sight Of Pauline.
! Il wish TO see you alone, Laura, my
child he said.
Il will wait for you in the next room,
darling Pauline volunteered promptly,
and departed.
Mr.. Lewis has come, Sir the servant
said as he was leaving The room III obc.
dicnce to en- impatient gesture from his
master.
Let him wait said the old man
grim!y
The night was warm, and The windows
were all open. The sick room anil the
next one to it both looked upon u wide
veraniah, which ran across the entire
front of the grand obi lnanlion.
1t was an easy thing FOX Pauline TO
step GU. upon this verandah withou. at
tracing attention. and pass along TO the
window Of the sick room.
! Il want to know what he wants OF
her. she said to herself, AMI Laura is
such an obstinate little child sometimes
as likely IS not she would not tell me-
4 have sent for you, Laura Work,
the dying man was saying, 'to ask you
II you love my grandson
Lauras sweet face clouied with Grim
son, and then grew white again. She
was trembling SO, poor chill, she coul (,
hardly stand.
My dear he sail, Il am dying, or |
would not ask you such n question. =
Lewis - my only sons only Chill. IF
die without will the whole Vanwirt
property will fall to him as the natural
heir but the boy has taken TO bad cour-
ses lately-I am afraid. lie CANDLES,
I have heard His father did before
him. The taste of it is in tie Vanwirt
blood. II came near being my ruin at
his very age. Bat I promised the wo-
man married would never touch n
card again, il she would have me, aud
never did. My grandson loves me as
only Vanwirt can. 1t is my only hope
for him. Am | wrong, my child, in be-
lieving that you care for him?
Laura's pale lips opened, but she
would not utter word.
Little fool = thought Pauline.
Listen to me 2 old Ethan Vanwirt
said, lifting himself upon his elbow in
his excitement. Ir you love Lewis,
promise me that before you consent to
marry him you will exact from him the
same pledge my wife did from mo, and
he shall be my heir. If not, my money
goes away from him. Speak, child, my
! lawyer waits now TO make my will
Laura burst into tesrs.
Il do love him = she stsmmerod. ]
will promise anything rather than you'd
do such dreadful thing. But-what
If he does not care for me as you
think?
Il will risk that; know he does
All / ask OF yon is 20 promise not 10
marry him till he has soiemnly sworn
nc will never touch a card again. Give
me your hand, child and say tho words
over after me.
Laura obeyed him more calmly than
might have been expected under the
circumstances.
God bless you no sail, as he let
her hand 90. You have made my dy-
ing moments almost happy
As Laura Quilted Che room, sobbing.
Pauline was about to join her when she
heard the sick man multer. Il am not
sure, after all. but will would make
everything safer
Then he ordered Tho attendant who
had just come in TO 60 and bring Mr..
Scribe.
Can he be going TO make will after