Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-09-16


.ject,'' said Edward Sansome, a shreWd
lawyer, to his principal client, Sir
Charles Rooden of Rood Abbey.
"Of course l am satisfied" laughed
handsome, CHEEKY Sir Charles. Il
have a large fortune and wife as
good and true as she is beautiful.
Surely I cannot do wrong in leaving
my fortune to such wife!"
There is a great difference between
doing that which is wrong and that
which is imprudent," observed Mr..
Sansome.
"And you think that my will errs on
the side of imprudence?" questioned
Sir Charles uneasily.
$50 it seems to me-" replied the
lawyer.
How can it, when 1 leave all that
have to my wife?" asked Sir Charles.
There are so many contingencies"
answered the lawyer.
Eyes, know; you are thinking that
it is possible her ladyship may marry
again, said Sir Charles.
ct is not improbable" returned the
lawyer cautiously.
ct would not be in an ordinary
case; but this is not an ordinary case.
You seem to forget that our marriage
was a pure love-match."
81 have seen the beginning and the
end of many love-matches," remarked
Mr.. Sansome quietly.
Probably, but not love-match like
ours. During our married life have
never given one thought to any other
woman-indeed, l might say, in the
words of the old song, All other
women are but shadows to me- She
is the one woman for whom | care
and whom love-"
"That is romance, not practical COM
mon sense" said Mr.. Sansome; "and
they differ as light from darkness"
cit matters little whether it IL ro-
nance or not; it happens to be true"
laughed Sir Charles. 81 am easy
enough on the score Of my will. II
my fortune were twice as large, |
should leave it all to my wife,"
But would it not be as well to in
,sert a clause to the effect that some
portion at least of this vast fortune is
to be forfeited if Lady Rooden mar
ries again?"
The frank handsome face darkened,
and the blue eyes flashed fercely.
81 would not so insult her for the
world" he cried "You do not under
stand the depth of our mutual love and
trust; and on that ground l can ex-
cuse your professional suspicion. 1t
would be impossible for my wife to
marry again in the event of my death.
She has been the love of my life, the
heart of my heart; and do you think
she whose very soul is mine would or
could ever listen to the wooings Of an
other man? You will excuse me for
saying so, but the very idea seems like
sacrilege to me. | am DESTROYS OF show
ing my implicit faith and trust in the
wife whom [ honor as much as | love;
therefore [ leave my whole fortune to
her, to be held in trust for my daugh-
ter Angela. During her lifetime Lady
Rooden can make what allowance she
may think proper to our daughter. II
she marries, it will be in her ladyship's
power to give her very handsome
dowry; and at Lady Rooden's death
the whole estate goes to my daughter
intact. That seems simple enough"
Eyes, it is simple enough agreed
Mr.. Sansome, though evidently still
unconvinced of the justice of it.
Sir Charles went on:
"Tf-which Heaven forbid!-Lady
Rooden dies first-my property will
revert to my daughter on my death
for I shall never marry again-and
have chosen proper guardians for her"
Eyes, that is right enough; but
Sir Charles interrupted him.
81 am anxious to make my will at
once, simply as matter Of prudence.
Not that I have any fear of dying yet
I am net much over thirty-fiye, and,
being blessed with good health and a
sound constitution, in all human proba-
bility death and l will be strangers for
many long years. Several of my an
cestors lived to be over ninety years
of age; it may be the same with me-"
81 hope so sincerely, Sir Charles,
said the lawyer.
Thank you," returned the baronet.
E'But you do not look satisfied yet, San
some" he added. ''Now what is it?
Tell me frankly what you yourself
think of my intentions; you will not
offend me. know the value Of a
truthful friend. Tell me just what is
passing through your mind"
ST am inclined to think you will not
be pleased, Sir Charles; still 1 will
speak out my thoughts. 1 think you
are leaving too much in the power of
a lady who, though one of the most
estimable of her sex, is still only a
woman. 1 see my words have vexed
you: l knew they would"
mo, 1 am not vexed," said Sir
Charles; because I know you mean
we'll. Tell me what you think ought
to do
II