The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-12-17
THE MISSING WILL.
BY Sis o

The Autumn leaves rustled dismal
", the old oak tree at the corner OF
the Hazelton farmhouse, or Oak
wood, as it was called, waved it's bare
branches drearily in the midnight
wind, as it sighed and groaned weird
ly in a fashion which reminds one of
ghosts and hobgoblins and almost
converts the firm non believer into a
strong spiritualist, and unless he is
possessed of the bravery of some bold
warrior of old, makes him quake with
fear.
Inside the scene was even nor som-
bre. Old Farmer Hazelton was
breathing his last. His aged face was
pinched and drawn with pain, his eyes
had a troubled, restless, anxious look
about them; his long, snow-white hair
fell in bold relief against She black
dress of his adopted daughter as he
lay with his head pillowed on her
shoulder.
Paralysis, that most cruel of all
diseases, which strikes them down and
prevents them from saying that last
farewell which is so comforting and
takes so much Of the bitter sting
away when parting from loved ones,
had taken possession of him and had
since rendered speech impossible;
but he had found q tender and skillful
nurse in the child he had taken and
cared for as one of his own. Els wife,
dying several years before, had left
him childless and alone in the world,
with the exception of a cruel, heart
less step-brother, to whom he had not
spoken for years.
He had acquired a great deal OF this
worlds goods, and the prediction of
everyone was that Evelyn would be
his heiress, for did he not love her as
an W dear daughter, and was henot
at enmity with his only living rela-
tive?
Farmer Hazelton looked at her
pleadingly, with a longing expression
in his sunken eyes, as though he would
fain speak with them, since his lips re-
fused to do his bidding.
What is it, papa? What wouldyou
have me do? Oh, if you could only
speak to me just once before you de-
said Evelyn in a heart-broken voice,
as the tears streamed down her love-
ly face.
The old man glanced restlessly from
the window to herface. The branches
OF the old oak tree tapped against the
window, seemingly saying, "here, here
Thinking the wind annoyed him, she
rose and closed the blind, but when
she returned there was the same de-
stpairing look there, onlygrowingmore
hopeless, as his breath became shorter
each moment. A sudden inspiration
came over her. Papa. do you
eagerly-"wish me to promise to al
ways stay at Oakwood?"
The dissatisfied, anxious expression
passed away, he tried to nod his head
affirmatively, but made but q feeble
success.
The huge old-fashioned clock chimed
twelve the wind groaned louder than
ever; the tree kept up its c~easeless tap
ping; the old mans head dropped up
on his chest. Evelyn was alone at
midnight with the dead.
With n hard, dry sob she fell
across his body. She realized in one
dreadful moment that she was alone
IN the world. Herlast dear friend had
gone. Kind neighbours comingin in the
morning to inquire his condition and
see what could be done. found them
thus, They gently led her away andin
sisted upon her resting. The village
undertaken was sent for and arrange
ments made for the funeral. Poor
Evelyn was almost heart-broken.
lne next morning, going into the
Parlor where he was laid out already
LOT the funeral which was to take
place that afternoon, she knelt down
and sobbed until her very frameshook
emotion. She had knelt there but q
Jew moments when q heavy, rough
nand was laid on her shoulder. Look
ing up she perceived O large. rough
man standing above her. Shaking
ner rudely he bade her "rise, and no
moiS OF her%aensense. for he meant