The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1880-11-10


imperious old man said, and would
hear nothing.
The will duly signed, witnessed
and sealed, he told the lawyer where
10 put ii in his desk, which stood
within his view.
Isl safe here ?" Mr.. Scribe asked,
] see no key"
who would touch it t?' the sick
mon asked irratably. 1T would
benefit no one but Lewis, and the
Nanwirts are not thieves, whatever
else they may be. Go, now, please
and tell some one to send my grand
son to me"
Pauline would have liked to stay
and witnessed 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 housekeeper, had
made her lie down, and was now sit
tlHg Win nCT.
Pauline took the housekeeper's
place beside her friend, and in
short time Laura fell asleep. As
Pauline sat watching the white child
ish face of the girl she pretended to
love, her brain was full of wicked
and enviOus thoughts.
Laura was already rich, she was
poor, and yet to her who had already
so much the great Nanwirt property
had Just been given.
She envied her the handsome low
er with whom she was herself more
than halfin love,an whom, hitherto,
she had not been without hope of
winning away from Laura.
Suddenly, as she sat there, the
deep silence was broken by the
sound of some commotion in the
house-she heard steps and excited
voices.
What can it be- she wondered.
Mr.. Nanwirt must be worse"
She sat listening some moments,
then rose softly. Laura was still
sleeping. Pauline succeeded in
the door without disturbing
her, and stole softly in the hall.
From the landing she could see
the servants hurrying about with
awe struck looks.
An impulse of ungOvernable curl
osity seized her. She watched her
chance, and gliding down the stairs,
through the open door with
out being seen, and passed swiftly
along the veranda, till she came TO
the window where she had already
passed so much time. One glance
at the bed told her what had hap
pened. Ethan Nanwirt was dead !
A sudden awe and horror seized her.
She was about to flee the spot, when
her eyes fell upon the desk in which
she had seen the will placed. Il
wonder if it is there yet" she
thought.
Il am sure | can reach it from
here. l should know it at a glance"
she unused. She put her hand in
and raised the lid. There it was.
A wicked thought crossed her
What if she took it.
At thought she snatched the will |
and hiding itin the folds of her dress,
she hurriedly retraced the steps.
Ethan Vanwirt had been dead |
about a month. His grandson had
entered into possession without any |
There were rumors about !
a will but when it could not be |
found Mr.. Scribe concluded that the
old man had destroyed it, and refus-
ed, when questioned, to tell who was
named in 1t.
Pauline Ruble was still visiting
Laura Work, although, truth to tell,
her welcome had grown somewhat
cold both on Laura's part and Mrs.
Works.
Laura was very unhappy. Lewis
Vanwirt scarcely ever spoke 10 her,
except in the most formal manner,
he came to the house as of
ten 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 do so.
There was q certain rejected suitor
Of Laura's named Robert Leister,
who about this time took advantage
Of the situation to renew his devo-
ton to her. Laura had never liked
him, and liked him less than ever
now.
Il must bring matters 10 q crisis
soon, thought Pauline, one night, as
She wreathed her face in smiles
and pretended not have seen Mrs.
Works unusual cold manner to her.
Presently, when Lewis Nanwirt
called, she was watching him, and
drew him at once into the garden.
Il 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 q
pity to disturb them"
HAS she consented to marry him
1t last ?" he asked bitterly.
ooh, of course; told You hes
would. He is such a very moral
young man, and dear Laura, Is so
very strict in her ideas,
Lewis winked.
MIR. Vanwirt,n Pauline said sud
denly "do you know to whom
your father left his money, in that
will that has never been found ?"
Il do not know"
Il can tell you
"Iou2" He started al her.
1T gave everything to Laura
Work" "
impossible! How do YOU knows"
Never mind, | do know Pau
ine said, lifting her beautiful black
syes to his in the moonlight. More
over that will is in existence.
He stared at her harder then be-
fore.
Il know where it is.
"You do?n