Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1881-05-12
The Hidden Will.

7sss ~ When they told old Ethan Vanwirt that
his days were: numbered, tho first thing he
said was:'
sSeud' for Miss Work; must SEQ. Miss
Work before die"
singular as this dcmand seemed, 70 one
thought Of questioning it. Miss Work was
sent for.
Laura turned quite white when the
strange imperative summons first onme;
and then she wos told that he who sent was
dying.
"Wbut can no want? Shall you go
Laura?" asked Pauline Ruble, who was
visiting her.
ooh, yes, yes, poor old man! am sorry
for him. Certainly will CO."
Pauline put her arm around the slight
figure, aud drew the golden head down upon
her shoulder.
"Littlo fool" she thorght, as she CO.
resse2 tho fair face with ter slim white
hand. "Of course it is something about
Lewis Vanwirt."
Aloud she said, insinuatingly: ~ had
better 60 with you, dear-don't you think
eo?"
ooh, if you only will" Laura cried ca
gerly.
Mrs. Work wa. quito IN invalid, and
could not accompany her daughter, so she,
also, was very glad to have Pauline 20 with
her.
AZ tho carriage arovo off with The two
girls she sank upon her couch with q
thoughtful look.
"It must be something about her grand-
son. hope Laura won't be silly.
The ladies were shown at onco into Mr.
Vanwirt's apartment.
81 wish to see you alone, Laura, my
ohid," he said.
"Pll wait for you in the next room, dar-
ling" Pauline volunteered promptly and
departed.
"Mr. Lewis has como, sir,' the servant
said, as he was leaving tho room in obc-
dience to an impatient gesture from his
master.
"Lot him watt" tho old man said grimly
1t was on easy thing for Pauline to step
out upon tho veranda without attracting
attention, and pass along to the window of
the aiok room.
81 want to know what he wants of her."
she said to herself, "and Laura is such an
obstinate little child sometimes, as likely us
not she would not tell me-"
~ have sent for you, Laura Work." the
dying man was saying, "to ask you if you
love my grandson" !"
"My, DEAR" he said, II am dying, or
would not ask you such q question. Lew
is my only sons only child. If dio with e.
out will, the whole VaDwirt property will
fall to him as the natural heir; but tho boy
has taken to bad courses latoly, am afraid
He CANDLES, have heard. His father did
before him. The taste of it is in tho Van.
Writ blood. 1t oamo near boing my ruin
'at his age. But promised the woman
married | would mover touch card again
If she would have mo, and never did"
Laura's lips opened, but she would not
utter word.
"Littlo fool! thought Pauline.
"Listen to mo-" old Ethan Vauwirt said
lifting himself upon his elbow in his OK :
oitement. eff you love Lewis, promise me
that before you consent to marry him you
will exact from him the same pledge tha
my wife did from mo. Ho shall be m1
heir"
Laura burst into toars.
"I do love him!? she stammorcd. "I
will promise anything rather than you'd dc
'such a dreadful thing. But-what-if he
does not caro- for me as you think7"
VIII TiSR Cnalj tDlnk no does. AL
I 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 tho words over after mo-"
Laura obeycd him, more calmly than
might have been expected under the oir-
'oumstanoes.
"God bless you'll" no said, as he lot her
hand 90. "You have made my dying mo-
ments almost happy"
As Laura quilted the room, sobbing,
Pauline was about to join her, when she
heard the sick man mutter: III am not aure
after all, thaka will would make everything
safor." I,yi 9iaie
Then he ordered the attendant who had
just come in TO 60 and bring Mr.. Scribe.
nCan he be going to- make will after
all2 Wondered Pauline. "I'll wait and
10 her, a1asomeft sie heard tho siok
man debating . will to hislaWyer, in which
ls lsfts syeryt hing bs pcsassssd TO Laura
&. ssss n sas!ssss sss y.
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