The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-02-26


money, he does know how to make love,
and that is more than you can do cried
Laura, thoroughly provoked.
"You are impudent and foolish. sup
pose Browning is still waiting for my de-
cision. If so, tell him to come in, and l
will soon make myself understood"
Laura went to the parlor, and immedi-
ately returned with Browning. He was
strongly-built Young fellow, with a
bright, intellectual face, and was manly
in his bearing.
81 have sent for you," said Mr.. Pen
dergrass, looking at him scornfully, Sin
order to tell you briefly and bluntly just
what the situation is. If you and Laura
marry l shall not leave her a cent l
have arranged everything. If she cannot
wisely be intrusted with the property,
then it wisely goes tc the Foreign Mis-
sionary Society. AS am a religious
man, l have always taken an interest in
the heather, and l hope the money
may be the means of converting many
| of them"
II myself feel more interest in your
granddaughter than in the heathen,"
said Browning, CALAMITY, although he
was very pale, land 1 certainly do not
wish to promote the missionary cause at
her expense. But / wish you and her
both to understand that am no fortune
hunter and that if she loves me more
than she does the money, love her
enough to marry her without it and to
rejoice then"
spoken like my own true lover"
cried Laura, her heart swelling with
pride and affection.
She ran to Browning and he clasped
her in his arms.
"Mr. Pendergrass," the young man
cried, "here is something money cannot
buy, that is worth more than your whole
fortune. 1t is pure, disinterested love-"
The old man gazed at the young couple
in astonishment
as it possible that you value what you
call love more than all of my money and
the power it would confer on the pos
SCISSOR of it 81
at is, they cried together, and then
looked fondly at each other.
The old man at last was touched, and
the scales fell from his eyes. He rea-
lized the truth of what Laura had said
in regard to his having cheated himself
of the greatest blessings of life. He
comprehended that his life had been a
failure, and that he had cheated him
self in spite of all his precautions. This
young and unworthy couple possessed
the secret of happiness which he had
never found.
He became greatly agitated, and the
effect upon him in his weakened condi-
ton was very serious. He put his hand
to his side and cried:
"a spasm is coming. believe l am
dying. Run to Lawyer Andrews and
tell him to bring both of my wills"
Laura hesitated.
| ~ DIS yUu llCl Sldlu-
father sternly. 81 have done wrong,
but | may be able to leave the property
to you yet"
Laura obeyed him. Fortunately Law
yer Andrews lived in the next house,
and was at home. He rushed to his safe,
took from it bulky envelope, and fol-
lowed the frightened Laura to her home.
Mr.. Pendergrass was sinking fast
when the lawyer arrived.
"Have you both wills ?' the dying
man asked eagerly.
Eyes"
A look of great relief came over Mr..
Pendergrass's face.
"Then tear up the last will that dis
eliminates against my granddaughter
and retain the will made several years
ago, that leaves the property to her I'M
conditionally."
As Laura bent over her grandfather,
tears streaming from her eyes, he gasped
the word Forgive"
She pressed his hand and he was
dead
At this moment ray of sunshine for
the first time that dreary day burst
through the clouds, as the great orb
sank beneath the western horizon, and
the general gloom was slightly relieved
There was little soul in the day after
all, and so there had been little soul in
the hard, selfish man who now lay in
the embrace of death.
MARCH MAGAZINES.