Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-01-03

might lack courage or opportunity to
carry out her purpose. Steadily she
walked TO the fire, threw the paper up
on the Goals and saw it shrivel into
ashes.
The deed was done, and she had
only to await the issue, she thought,
her conscience already ut work, as she
took her seat again by the window.
She could only trust to the old man
thinking the will was safe until-until
his death.
Two hours passed slowly to the soil
tary watcher in the sick-chamber; then
the old man awakened, and feebly call
ed her TO his side. Lola bent over
him.
what is it, uncle?"
Lola, feel such a strange sinking,
think / must be dying" he mutter-
ed, in n voice scarcely audible. Child,
you have been kind to me-you have
stayed by me, and did not desert me
as she did. It'was only little while
she might have stayed with me to
the last Bend closer, Lola, while [
tell you. Once my heart softened, and
| made my will in her favor; but it is
all right now. You have all there is.
Biggs was in time. 1t is all right"
Flashes of heat and cold went over the
Young girl as she listened to his strange
talk She thought of the will now burn
ed to ashes that would have given her
an unqucstionable right to her uncle's
wealth-and she with her own hand
had blasted her prospects while seek
ing to wrong another.
With parched lips she asked hoarse-
Uncle, did you make will after
after the one you made when l came?"
Eyes, yes, Lola; but it's all right
now. have made another, giving all
to you again.
what became of the other will,
uncle-the one in Jessie's fayor?" she
asked in a strained voice, trying not to
show her trembling eagerncss.
''Biggs kept it-said / might want to
burn this one and change back again;
but l never shall. l could not if [
would; for, ] ola. l am dying"
A shiver L; 4 over the young girl as
she saw that ne was indeed dying, and
all was lost. A groan escaped her pale
lips.
A wild look came into the old mans
eyes, and he began to jabber incoher-
emily. He talked of Jessie-again she
was little girl, and beside him; then
he would rcproach her for leaving him
in his old age. Lola had begun to think
that she must summon somebody when
a glaze came over his eyes, then they
slowly closed, and with slight shud-
der all was over.
Like one in a dream, Lola went to
call the servants. One thought was
uppermost in her mind-the destroyed
will. Oh, if she had only looked at it
before she committed it to the flames!
But it was too late now for vain re-
grets. She had only one hope; perhaps
the old man was wandering in his mind
from the first in what he had said.
When Biggs was summoned, Lola
saw him search beneath the bed for the
will; but he said nothing when he found
it missing. He did not for one moment
doubt but the old man had caused it to
be destroyed, as he, Biggs, had sup
posed he would when he had time to
think it over.
The funeral of old Martin Dillon was
over, and with terrible suspense Lola
waited for the reading of the will Her
worst fears were realized. Jessie was
mentioned as sole heiress. Generous
hearted Jessie offered to divide with
her, but Lola, not naturally depraved,
began to see that her punishment was
only just, and refused even the offer of
a home, which her cousin insisted she
should accept from her hands.
Lola Desmond went out into the cold
world alone, and bravely fought the
battle for bread. Purified by suffering,
her life grew full of noble works and
when, a few years later, Jessie's hus-
band, two years widower, sought her
out, and asked her to come to him and
comfort his lonely life, she thanked her
Heavenly Father that he had forgiven
her sin, and ut last granted her peace
and happiness.