Mexico weekly ledger., 1881-01-20
She sat listening some moments

sleeping Pauline succeeded IN open
ing 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 ungovernable Gu
riosity seized her She watched her
chance, and, gliding down the stairs,
skipped through the open door with
out heing seen by anyone. and passed
swiftly along the veranda till she
came to the window where she had
already spent so much time. One
glance at the bed told her what had
happened. Ethan Vsnwirt 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 il it is in there yet,' she
| thought.
81 am sure l can reach it from
here. should know it at glance"
she mused. She put her hand in and
raised the lid. There it was.
A wicked thought crossed her.
"What il she took it?"
At that thought she snatched the
will, and hiding it in the folds of her
dress, she hurriedly retraced her
steps.
Ethan Vanwirt 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 MIR. Scribe con-
cIuded that the old man had de-
stroyed it, and refused, when ques-
toned, to tell who was named in it.
Pauline Ribble was still visiting
Laura Work, although, truth to tell,
her welcome was solnewha! cold both
on Laura's part and Mrs. Works.
Laura was very unhappy. Lewis
Vanwirt scarcely ever spoke TO her
except in the most formal manner,
Though he came to the house as often
as formerly. Apparently it was to
see Pauline now and though the gen.
tie girl strove to feel the same to.
ward her false friend, she could mol
quite do Sc.
There was another rejected sutton
of Laura's named Robert Lester, who
about this time took advantage o.
the situation to renew his devotion tt
her. Laura had never liked him, ant
liked him less than ever now.
: II must bring III 'tters to a crisi:
| soun," thought Pauline, one night
as she wreathed her brilliant face Will
smiles, and pretended not to hav'
seen Mrs. Works unusual cold man
ner to her.
: Presently, when Lewis Vanwlr
: called. she was watching for him
q and drew him at once into the gar
den. II want to tell you some
: thing" she said, in her soft voice
$ ''and besides Laura and her love
= are so happy in there by themselves
1 1t would be pity to disturb them -
+ HAS she consented to marry hin
z at last?' he asked bitterly.
"Oh, of course; l told you sh
e would. He is such moral youn
man, and dear Laura, is 80 yer
strict in her IDEAS"
l. Lewis winked.
|, "Mr. Vanwirt," Pauline sal,
q Suddenly; "do you know to whol
IL your grandfather left his mo"s,
It in that will that has never bee
'e fou"d!"
- II do not know"
Il can tell you
|. .'You?" He stared at her.
N cit gave everything to Miss Lau'
1t Work"
As "Impossible! How do you know :
Never mind, 1 do KNOW" PA
s. line said, lifting her beautiful blat
to eyes to his in the moonlight. "Mor
n over that will is in existence.
n. He stared at her harder than b
~ fore.
IL know where it is.''
Iy "You do?"
er "Wouli you like TO see it?"
81 certainly should"
ne "How would you like to see Lsu
ie and Robert Lester lauding it at Il
Vanwirt house?"
b. Lewis ground his teeth with inve
r, un,ary rage. This decided the falls
r: bold girl beside him.
"Lewis Vanwirt," she said, s
that will could be put into your pc
10 session to do what you like with
#. would you merry woman who low
on better than Laura Work ev
ill could?"
III Il would"
Trembling with JOY she drew @
he the folded paper, and put it into
W. hand.
he He held it up in the moonlight
v. moment and then thrusting it inside
n his vest, turned suddenly and beg
to go swiftly toward the house. Pa
he line could carc.ly keep up with hi
lid An awful mlsgiving seized her.
"What are you going to do?"
ed ''You shall see,' he answer
IRE sternly, and she read his detcrmil
cd tion in his eyes.
"What TOOL was," she muttert
be but made one more effort.
Laura and Lester won't tha
ok you for interrupting them"
lid No answer, as he strobe on a
he entered the drawing-room ,hrou
yer one of the open French windo'
ase Laura sat there with her mother. :
Id had been crying. No one else '
in the room. He laid the will VI
'ed her lap.
so, ii find,'' he said hurriedly, and
ust a shaking voice, ''that my grandfa
she er left his money to you. There
the will that has been missing
me long. l hope, Laura, that you
hat be a great d. al happier with MIR. l.
lad ter than you would have been "
SIT me. But he will never love you 1
better than [ do
,r's Laura detests Robert Leste
ort cried Mrs. Work, taking in the s.
ine alton at once. ''She has never ca
ish for anyone but you, Lewis Vanw
we, and you ought t" know it."
en- "Oh! my darllng!' ejacula
Lewis, wildly, extending his arm,
was it true?"