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

promise me that before you consent to
marry him you will exact from him the
same pledge my wife did from me, and
he shall be my heir. 1t not, my money
goes away from him. Speak child
My lawyer is waiting now to make my
will"
Laura burst into tears.
81 do love him !" she stammered. 81
will promise anything rather than have
you do such dreadful thing. But
what-if he don't care for me as you
think?'
II will risk that; know he does All
ask of you is to promise not to marry
him until he has solemnly sworn he will
never touch card again. Give me your
hand, child. and say the words over af-
ter me-"
Laura obeyed him more calmly than
might have been expected under the cir
cumstances.
''God bless your he said, as he let her
hand go. "You have made my dying
moments happy"
As Laura Quilted the room sobbing,
Pauline was about to join her, when she
heard the sick man utter
81 am not sure, after all, but will
would make everything safer" -.,
Then he ordered the attendant, who
had just come in, to so and bring Mr..
Scribe.
"Can he be going to make will after
all T. wondered Pauline. "I'll wait and
see"
She resumed her listening attitude,
we'll screened from sight by the
shrouding folds Ct the heavy silk cur
tains.
To her amazement she heard the sick
man debating will to his lawyer, in
which he left everything he possessed to
Laura Work, absolutely.
Mr.. Scribe ventured to demonstrate,
but it was of no use.
81 know what I'm about" the i'm.
perious old man said, and would hear
nothing.
The will duly signed, witnessed and
sealed, he told his lawyer where to pat
it in his desk, which stood within his
view.
SIS it safe herei' asked Mr.. Scribe.
81 see no key"
"Who would touch itf the sick man
asked irratably. at would benefit no
one but Lewis, and the Vanwirts are
not thieves, whatever else they may be.
Besides, how do you know that l may
not change my mind at the last moment
and destroy it yeti Go now, please,
and tell some one to send my grandson
to me-
Pauline would have liked to stay and
hear this interview also, but she did not
dare. Laura must be wondering where
she now was.
She found that Laura had come out
of the sick room so agitated that Mrs.
Beckett, the housekeeper, had made her
lie down, and was now setting beside
her.
The night was by this time so far ad-
vanced, and Laura seemed SO Ill, that
it was decided that the two girls should
remain till morning.
Pauline took the housekeeper'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 sick, and she was
poor and yet to her who had already
SO much the great Vanwirt property had
Just been given. She envied her the
handsome lover 18th whom she herself
was m ore than half in love, and whom,
hitherto, she had not been without hope
of winning from Laura
"But he will have to marry her now"
she thought bitterly.
Suddenly as she sat there the deep a.
lence was broken by the sound of some
commotion in the house-she heard
steps and excited voices.
"What can it bef she wondered.
"Mr. Vanwirt must be worse"
She sat listening some moments, then
she rose softly. Laura was still sleep
ing. Pauline succeeded in opening the
door without disturbing her, AMI stole
out into the hall. From below she could
see the servants hurrying about with
awe struck looks.
A, ;n,nrl.a If unoovernable curiosity