Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-01-27
THE HIDDEN WILL.

Wnen tney tOId ola Elnan FahWiII
that his days were numbered, the first
thing he said was:
"Send for Miss W6-k; must see
Miss Work before die"
Singular as this demand seemed. no
one thought of questioning it. Miss
Work was sent for.
Laura turned quite white when the
strange imperative summons first came;
and then she was told that he who sent
was dying.
What can he wantP Shall you go,
Laura?" asked Pauline Rube, who was
visiting her.
"Oh, yes, yes, poor old man! am
sorry for him. Certainly will CO."
Pauline put her arm around the slight
figure, and drew the golden head down
upon her shoulder.
Little fool" she thought. rs she
caresscd the fair face with her slim,
white hand. "Of course it is something
about Lewis Vanwirt."
Aloud she said, insinuatingly; 81 had
better go with you, dear-dCnt you
think SOP"
"Oh, if you only will" Lau. sried
eagerly.
Mrs. Work was quite an invalid, ana
could not accompany her daughter, so
she, also, was very glad to have Pauline
go with her.
AS the carriage drove of with the two
girls she sank upon her couch with
thoughtful look.
at must be something about her
grandson. | hope Laura won't be silly
The ladies were shown at once into
Nr. Vanw irt's apartment.
" wish to see you alone, Laura, my
chi >" he said.
"I'll wait for you in the next room,
darling" Pauline volunteered promptly
and departed.
Mr. Lewis has come. SIR" the SER
want said, as he was leaving the room
in obedience to an impatient gesture
from his master.
"Let him wait" the old man said
grimly.
1t was an easy thing tor Pauline to
step out upon the veranda without at-
tracing atte ntion and lass along TO the
window of the sick room,
II want to know what he wants Of
her." she said TO herself. land laura is
such an obstinate little child sometimes,
as likely as not she would not tell me. 4"
- have sent for you, Laura Work. p"
the dying man was saying, to ask you
II you love my grandson"
My DEAR" he said, 81 am dying, or
I would not ask you such a question.
Lew is my only sons only child. II
die without a will, the whole VanwIrt
property will fall to him as the natural
heir; hut the boy has taken to bad
courses lately, am afraid. He CANDLES
have heard. His father did before
him. The taste of 1t Ii in the Vanwirt
blood. II came near being my ruin at
his age. Bdt promised the woman l
married I would never touch a card
again If she would have me, and
never did,
"Laura's lips opened, but she would
not utter word.
Little foolr thought Pauline.
Listen to me-" old Ethan Vanwirt
said, lifting himself upon his elbow in
his excitement. IF you love Lewis,
promise me that before you consent to
marry him you will exact from him the
same pledge my vile did from me. He
shall be my heir"
Lsura burst into tears.
81 do love himi' she stammered. "I
will promise anything rather than you'd
do such a dreadful thing. But-whai
If he does not care for me rs you
thinkg"
~ will risk that; think he does.
All ask of you IL to promise not u
marry him till he has solemnly sworn
he will never touch card again. Give
me your hand, child. and say the words
over alter me-"
Laura obeyed him. more calmly thar
might have been expected under thu
circumstances.
"God bless youl" he said. = he k'