Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-09-22
The Stolen Will.

When they told Ethan Vanwirt that his
days were numbered, the first thing he said
was
"Send for Miss Work I must see Miss
Work before die"
Singular as the demand seemed, no one
thought Of questioning 1t. Miss Work was
sent for.
Laura turned quite white when the
strange, imperative summons first came to
her; and then she was told he who sent il
was dying
dying /" she whispered, her blue eyes
filed with tears.
"What can he want 2 Shall you 60,
Laura ?" asked Pauline Ruble, who was Wis.
iting her.
"Oh, yes, yes poor old man I am
sorry for him. Certainly, | will go. But !
am frightened, Pauline, for | never saw any
one die"
The pretty, child-like creature was tremb-
ling from head to foot.
Pauline put her arm around the slight
figure, and drew the golden head down
upon her shoulder. She was several inches
taller than Laura, and far handsomer--in
her own opinion.
"Little fool" she thought, as she caressed
the fair, fower-lke face with her slim white
hand, "of course it is something about
Lewis Vanwirt"
Aloud, she said insinuatingly, al had BET
ter go with you, dear don't you think so ?"
"Oh, if you only will !" Laura cried ca
gerly.
Mrs. Work was quite an invalid, and could
not accompany her daughter, 30 she also was
very glad to have Pauline go with her.
As the carriage drove off with the two
girls she sank back upon the couch with a
thoughtful look.
1t must be something about his grandson.
| hope Laura won't be silly"
The ladies were shown at once into Mr.
Vanwirt's apartment. The sick man frowned
at the sight of Pauline.
81 wish to see you alone, Laura, my child"
he said.
al will wait for you in the next room,
darling" Pauline answered promptly, and
departed.
"Mr. Lewis has come, SIR" the servant
said, as he was leaving the room in ODE
dience to an impatient gesture from his
master.
"Let him wait" said the old man grimly.
The night was warm, and the windows
were all open. The sick room and the next
one to it both looked upon wide verandah,
which ran across the entire front of the
grand old mansion.
1t was an easy thing for Pauline to step
out upon this verandah without attracting
attention, and pass along the window of the
sick room.
al want to know what he wants of her."
she said to herself "and Laura is such an
obstinate little child sometimes, as likely as
not she would not tell me-"
al have Gent for you, Laura Work." the
dying man was saying, to ask you if you
love my grandson"
Laura's sweet face clouded with crimson,
and then grew white again. She was trem-
bling so, poor child, she could hardly stand.
"My DEAR" he said, al am dying, or l
would not ask you such question. Lewis
out will the whole Vanwirt property will
fall to him as the natural heir but the boy
has taken to bad courses lately, am afraid.
He CANDLES, have heard. His father did
before him. The taste Of it is in the Van
writ blood. 1t came near being my ruin at
his very age. But promised the woman |
married that would never touch a card
again if she would have me, and | never
did. My grandson loves me as only Van
writ can. 1t is my only hope for him. Am
| wrong, my child, in believing that you care
for him :"
Lanra's pale lips opened, but she would
not utter word.
"Little fool" thought Pauline.
"Listen to me !" old Ethan Vanwirt said
lifting himself upon his elbow in his ex-
citement "if you love Lewis 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.
If not, my money goes away from him.
Speak, child, my lawyer waits now to make
my will"
Laura burst into tears.
81 do love him." she stammered. 81 will
promise anything rather than you'd do such
a dreadful thing. But-what-if he does
not care for me as you think p
al will risk that; know he does. All |
ask of you is to promise not to marry him
till he has solemnly sworn he will never
touch card again. Give me your hand,
child, and say the words over after me-"
Laura obeyed him more calmly than
might have been expected under the circum-
stances.
"God bless you," he said. as he let her
hand go. "You have made my dying mo-
lnents almost happy"
As Laura quilted the room, sobbing, Pau
line was about to join her, when she heard
the sick man mutter, al am not sure, after
all, but will would make everything safer"
Then he ordered the attendant who had
just come in to go and bring Mr.. Scribe.
"Can he be going to make will after
all ?" wondered Pauline. "I'll wait and see."
She resumed her listening attitude, well
screened from view by the shrouding folds
of the heavy silk curtains.
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.
al know what l am about" the imperi-
Gus old man said, and would hear nothing.
The will duly signed, witnessed and sealed,
he told the lawyer where to put it in his
desk, which stood within his view.
Is it safe here ?" Mr. Scribe asked. al
see no key"
"Who would touch it 2" the sick man
asked irritably. A" 1t would benefit no one
but Lewis, and the Vanwirtes are not thieves,
whatever else they may be. Besides, now,