The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-05-24

did opinion"
Ny face may have Redeemed little,
but | returned her steady gaze.
"Miss Livingstone, since you ask me,
of course must answer sincerely. No
| should not say at all that Mr.. Braide
is in love with Et, and am sure he
can have no serious thoughts about
marriage. A man does not treat a
woman he is trying to win as Mr.. Braide
treats his cousin. He likes her, GER
tainly, but-bdt I have no patience
with him / should think he would
adore her."
Miss Livingstone's face was fairly
radiant as / concluded my speech with
emphasis.
Well, WE'LL" she said, nodding
cheerfully, you've bad opportunities
of observing, and you ought to know.
[ hope sincerely it is as you say. 1
would be a happy woman if thought
there was nothing between these two
but cousinly love. Well, time will
prove all, Miss Nora-time will prove
ALL"
Time did. indeed, prove all, and
sooner than we could have dreamed.
That night, close on midnight,
there was commotion in the
apartments occupied by the Liv-
ingstones-a sudden moving to and fro
and quick footsteps, then Et's hurried,
sobbing voice calling loudly, "Nora !
Nora Oh, girls, come quickp
Luckily, we were undressed and
could respond to her summons. We
found Miss Livingstone lying on her
bed, white and rigid and breathing
heavily.
Mrs. Gordon and Et were bending
over her, and Roger Braide was stand
ing at the foot of the bed, without a
coat on, and looking very handsome
minus collar and cravat.
Perhaps his unusual attractiveness
was not duo so much to undress as to a
certain very grave anxiety and pallor
on his ordinarily listless countenance.
Et looked up quickly with tears on
her face, caught my hand, and held me
close at her side.
81 think she is dying" she whispere d
tremblingly. "a moment ago she fell,
and Roger lifted her, and she has not
spoken. She does not seem to be con-
scious of anything. Oh, 1 think we
ought to send for doctor. She would
not have one near her if she knew, but
now it seems Oh, Mrs. Gordon,
don't you think we ought to have one
nowT'
"If you will tell me where to CO."
began Roger, quickly.
But before he could say more, Miss
Livingstone's lips parted, and she
spoke:
''No doctor, Et, very slowly yet dis
tinctly came the words. "He could
only tell me what 1 know-the end has
come. But suddenly her eyes were
opened on us, bright and keen-"I
want a lawyer. Will Roger be as ready
to find one for me?"
We III drew ba little rs Roger
came orward to the bed.
Im ready to do anything for you,
Aunt Nettie," he sAid, tenderly, and
yet with a curious flush, like that OF
pride on his face. "It will not be far
to seek. Mr.. Gale is q lawyer. He
can do for you whatever is needful."
"Ah, yes, forgot" she murmured
"Then ask him to come, and leave me
with him, all of you."
So Vincent was aroused from his first
sleep, and remained nearly an hour
alone with the dying woman.
When we were summoned from the
outer room, where we had been waiting
in sad expectancy, we saw on the little
table beside the bed pens and ink and
writing paper, and in his hand Vincent
held sheet of fooolscap, closely Gov
cred with his own fine, clear chirog.
raphy. His face looked troubled and
perplexed, but he addressed us in his
usual matter-of of-fact tones:
81 have been requested by Miss Liv
ingstone to draw out a second will, en-
tirely contradictory to her first will
already made and witnessed, and which
I will also read to you, if necessary, al
though [ think the persons most inter.
ested, Mr.. Braide and Miss Margarettl
Livingstone, are already acquainted
with the provisions OF that document
Roger bowed and Et sobbed against
my shoulder. '|This second paper,
may briefly say, bequeaths to the State
all OF Miss Mehitable Livingstone's
property, without reservation or excep
tion, under conditions which you will
understand when 1 read the will, as
now propose to do. will then require
the signature of all persons present as
witnesses thereof"
Vincent's legal calmness amazed me
so that could scarcely breathe, and
began to feel that I actually hated
him.
Here was the dying woman, with hel
eager, terrible face, my poor Et trem-
bling and sobbing, and all the rest O.
us more or less dissolved in tears
and here was Roger standing up Sc
proud and sorrowful-looking, and thai
impertuybable Vincent, so cool and glib
in the midst of it all !
Before he could begin to read the
will, however, Miss Livingstone spoke
out again, clearly and firmly.
" You understand, Et, that itrequires
only word from you. Promise me