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

heard the SICK MAN ihuIVei' oHh "'
ure. after all, that will would make
verything safer"
Then he ordered the attendant who
had Just come in TO go and bring Mr..
Scribe.
"Can he be going 10 make will after
II ?" wondered Pauline. "I'll wait and
see."
To her amazement she heard the sick
man debating will to his lawyer, n
which he loft every hing he possessed to
Laura Work, absolutely.
MIR. Scribe ventured to demonstrate
but it was of no use.
~ know what | am about" the inn
erious old man said, and would hear
nothing.
The will duly signed, witnessed and
sealed he tod the lawyer where 10 put
It in his desk, which stood within his
view.
"Is it safe herep" Mr.. Scribe asked =.
81 see no key"
"Who would touch itP" the sick man
asked, irritably. ut would benefit no
one but Lewis, and the Vanwirts are not
thieves, whatever else they may be.
Go, now, please, and tell some one TO
send my grandson TO me-"
Pauline would like to have stayed and
witnessed this interview also, but she
did not dare. Laura must be wonder
ing 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 sitting with
her.
Pauline took the housekeeper's place
beside her friend, and in short time
Laura was asleep. AS Pauline sat there
watching the white childish 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 Vanwirt property had Just been
given. She onvied her the handsome
lover. with whom sue was herself more
than half in love, and whom, hitherto,
she had not been without hope OF win
ming away from Laura.
Suddenly. as she sat there, the deep
silence was broken by the sound of some
commotion in the house-sne heard
steps and excited voices.
What can it be-" she wondered.
Mr.. Vanwirt must be worse"
She sat listening for some moments,
then rose softly. Laura was still sleep
ing. Pauline succeeded in opening the
door without disturbing her, and stole
out into the hall.
From the landing she could see the
servants below hurrying about with
awe-struck looks.
An impulse of unRovcrnable curiosity
seized her. She watched her chance.
and, gliding down the stairs. skipped
through the open door without being
seen. and passed swiftly along the YER
anda till she come TO the window
where she had already spent so much
time. One glance at the bed told her
what had happened. Ethan Vanwirt
was deadl A sudden awe and horror
seiz.d her. She was about to flee the
spot, when her eyes fell upon the desk
in which she had seen the will placed.
81 wonder If it is there yet?n she
thought.
II am sure I can reach il from here
/ should know 1t at glance, "she unused.
She put her hand in and raised the lid.
There II was.
A wicked thought crossed her. What
If she took itH"
At that thought she snatched the will.
and hiding it in the folds of her dress,
she hurri edly retraced her steps.
Ethan Vsnwirt had been dead about
month. His grandson had entered
into possession of his estate without any
hindrance. There were rumors about a
will; but when it could not be found
Mr.. Scribe concluded that the old man
had destroyed It. and refused, when
questioned, TO tell who was named
in it.
Pauline Ruble was still visiting Laura
Work, although, tru.l TO tell, her well
come had grown somewhat cold both on
Laura's part and Mrs. Works.
Laura was very unhappy. Lewis
Vanwirt scarcely ever spoke to her ex-
cept in the most formal manner, though
he came TO the house as often as former
ly. Apparently it was TO see Pauline
now; and though the gentle girl strove
TO feel the same toward her false friend.
she could not quite.do so.
There was another rejected suitor OF
Laura's named Robert Lester, who
about this time took advantage of the
situation TO renew his devotion to her.
Laura had never liked him, and liked
him less than ever now.
Il must bring matters to crisis
soon," thought Pauline one night, as
she vreathed her brilliant face with
smiles, ana pretended not to have seen
| Mrs. Works cold manner 10 her.