Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-12-09

If | had much money [ should spend
it all on you you, having great deal,
in the generosity of your heart enjoy
spending it on me. But what l want
to speak about very seriously to you
is this: Have you made your WILL
Laura?"
She looked up at him with a scared
startled face.
My will" she echoed. mo,
Vance; I have never thought of it,"
And the first link in a chain of
tragedy was forged when Captain
Wynyard unfolded his views on that
subject to his wife.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Il cannot imagine" said Captain
Wynyard to his wife, "why I have not
spoken of this before Your will
should have been made before our
marriage. However, having neglected
the matter SO long, it should be at
tended to at once"
you make me quite nervous.
Vance" faltered Lady Laura.
There is no need for that, my
DEAR" he said, kindly "Your lawyer,
Mr. Sansone, ought to have suggested
the making of your will. 1t may seem
strange, coming from me-"
There was what she did not OBJ
serve, strange hesitancy about the
captains manner. He looked paler
than usual, and his hands trembled.
hn Tornanndnd hic 1ioC cd n
stiffen and his usual fuency of speech
to desert him.
"You have told me all about your
first husbands will" he continued.
'Sir Charles certainly showed unlim-
tied trust and confidence in placing
such large fortune at your absolute
disposal"
1T is not quite that" she replied,
1T ali goes to Angela at my death. I
cannot touch the capital, nor can
sell a tree or a picture. The proper
ty is absolutely mine, yet not mine"
Eyes, l know, | understand. OF
course, it all goes to Angela at your
death, which we all pray may be far
distant; but what will Angela do with
it, do you suppose?"
"She will marry, and leave it to her
children, imagine"
What if she has no children?" he
asked.
"The will makes no provision in
that respect" she answered. Angela
will do as she likes"
Suppose-although it is very un-
likely-that she never marries?" he
interrupted.
"The property is hers to do abso-
lutely what she likes with it. She can
leave it to charities; she can do as
she will. Poor Sir Charles thought
she would be sure to marry
mo doubt she will" said the cap
tain, whose lips had grown pale; and
there was curious expression in his
eyes, a harsh sound in his voice, as
he continued: "There is another view
of the matter, which no one seems to
have entertained. I do not think
Mr. Sansome is a good man of bust
ness or he would have drawn Sir
Charles attention to it. What be-
comes of the property and money if
Angela dies before you?"
A spasm of suspense passed over
his face.
angela die before me?" she echoed
81 have never thought of such con-
tingency."
Nor has anyone else, it seems"
said the captain. ''It might happen
it is possibility; and all possibilities
should be provided against
Certainly" agreed her ladyship
The cold white lips parted slowly;
and the voice that came from them
was unlike his own.
What becomes of the property in
that case?" he asked, slowly.
ct is mine" she replied. I'm that
case it is at my disposal"
Eat your disposal? You can dis
pose of it in any way you please?
Well, that is just what want to talk
to you about. | was not quite sure
whether your late husband had left
any instructions on that point. Now
absolutely yours, what would you do
with it,"
do you know, Vance" she cried, 81
have never even thought of such a
contingency arising?"
What do you think now?" he urged
"Can l help, can I advise you? /
think you ought to attend to a matter
of such grave Importance. There Is
nothing so uncertain as human life
"You really brighten me, Vance"
she cried.
He was beginning to recover his
self possession. For brief interval
he was silent, thinking whether he
should say boldly, Leave it to me, if
/ survive you," or whether he should
wait until the idea suggested itself to
her.
Have you any friends or relatives
to whom you should bequeath it.
Laura?"
"No," she replied, thoughtfully.