Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-21

then I will and declare that all the property named and described as the residue of my estate, after legacies specified have been paid, shall vest in my wife Annette, the said Frances to become a charge upon my estate dur ing her life for sustenance and clothing only, unless it happens that she enters into marriage contract with some one other than the said Raymond Holbin, in which event the charge shall cease and the estate be acquitted of all de- mands from her, her heirs or assigns"
 Absolute silence followed the read ing of the document, except that an ex- clamation, half an oath, half groan. burst from the doctors lips. He strode to the table and picked up his hat, but paused when his gaze fell upon the figure of the slender girl. She stood erect, proudly looking at the group, her calm white face outlined against the damask curtains as the face of statue. He laid his hat on the table, and. mov- ing little nearer to her. waited. The sick man grasped the pen with fever ish energy and signed, the witnesses immediately attesting. The tall, grave woman took the legal instrument and applied a blotter. Then, folding it, she placed it in her bosom. To the law yer's embarrassed protest she said:
 'I am the executrix of this will, and I prefer to be it's cust odian. That is your desire, dear. ~is it not-you wish to keep the will here in the house?" The exhausted invalid nod ded feebly. At this moment the door opened and Raymond entered the room. The elder woman, with an angry flush upon her face, walked rapidly towards him, and the law yer passed out with the notary.
 Fool" she whispered, you endan- ger it all!" She drew him into q bay window, where they began an an- imated discussion. Brodnar had but one free moment but in that moment he acted. The girl had been left standing by her fathers side. She alone caught the sentence whispered to her by the physicians; her eyes fol- lowed him as he walked slowly away and then returned to rest upon the sick man. Gazing into his wan face, all her tenderness came back. Sudden ly she sank by his side and clasped her hands upon his knees.
 Father" she said, gently, s'one word! Will you let me speak now We may be parting for all eternity He opened his eyes and looked stead fly upon her. ...-
 "It is for eternity" he said. And then, somehow, his hand found her head and rested there gently. "You are proud, Frances, and hurt, but the time will come when you will know that-I have acted for the best"
 "Oh. you think so,' she said shak- ing with half-suppressed emotion and hiding her face. "I know you think so. But" Listen, Frances! You have cous. in whose name has long since ceased to be spoken in my family. She was proud-and wayward-andh headstrong too. You are very like her as she was when her fathers will made her my ward-as she was when she passed away"
 ''She is dead?"
 "Yes, to us!" he waited for breath and strength to proceed. "A husband would have saved her. She had a right under the wil1-to choose-he1 residence. A foolish aunt received her
  | II would not talk of it, father. Ii eXcites you"
 T must! She was always-heedless of advice-self willed-jealous- then she-disappeared - leaving - a note-and disgrace! I let her go She is dead to mel" After pause he continued: q have seen you drifting away-Frances! disobedient-unlov ing-I would save you-if I could Weep no more-I have forgiven; have forgiven-!" The girl lifted he1 i face quickly, indignant and agonized
 You have been deceived, father; oh so basely deceived I am not way ward-I have never yet disobeyed you If you had permitted I should have been with you night and day."
 If had permitted!"
 "Yes. It was you, they told me, she brokenly said-''it was you whe sent me among strangers to school you wished me never to come into your room"
 "Frances!"
 'It is too late now," she said il anguish, "but I cannot part from yo, without telling you the truth. lov, ! ' your dear daughter if you had no put it beyond my power"
 | Child! What is it you are say ing?''
 Do you not understand, father?' she said, passionately, do you no know that that woman has for year deprived you of your independence of your freedom? Now she has talxe1 your property! Can't you see it? Yo1 have been robbed of everything-ant T.! Oh, she has preyed upon you holiest feelings; she has turned yol against your own child-the child t, whose mother you promised to guar. and guide!''
 He raised himself in his chair. 1 look of fright was upon his face.
 "See!" she cried, "there is the wom an with her son dividing your prop erty before you are dead. Oh, the, Think am harmless, now; am not t. to be feared! the die is cast, the vii is signed, and you, father, have be