The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-05-10
Copyright. 1879, by J. D. Il

and Is nervous If | leave him for even
minute" Her white hand fell in rhyth-
mic monotony upon the invalid's fore
head. Presently he reached up impa-
tiently and pushed II away; but, wait
ing moment. she resumed her caress.
ings, and he made no further resist
ance.
81 want my daughter to hear Il read"
ne said, querulously, reverting to
thought unspoken.
"Oh, would not let her do that, SIR"
said Brodnar. you will not permit
that. madam!"
"She shall hear IT," said tho woman.
at pleases him; and he has q good OBJ
ject in it, l am sure"
A professional man who had been
writing at a side table now came for
ward and read the dying mans will,
notary standing near. The latter ex-
changed glances with Brodnar and
looked away, half smile upon his lips.
The document, after the usual recita-
lions and the naming Of numerous
small legacies for family servants and
others, proceeded as follows;
And the residue of my property, my
wife. Annette, having been amply pro-
vided for by deed of gift during my
life, bequeath to my daughter. Fran
ces Brookin, upon condition that she
ghall, on or before attaining the age
of 81 years. accept as her lawful hus-
band Raymond Holbin, who has asked
her hand of me, my object being TO pro-
vide for the future of 4 hayward girl
by giving her a guardian who is in all
respects q gentleman and worthy of
every confidence. But il my said
daughter, Frances, fails or declines TO
marry the said Raymond Holbin with
in the Limit of her minority, or immedi.
ately after attaining her majority,
then l 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 q charge upon my estate dur.
ing her life for sustenance and clothing
only, unless it happens that she enters
into a 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-
hands from her, her heirs OF assigns"
Absolute silence followed the read.
ing of the document, except that an ex-
clamation, half an oath, half a groan,
burst from the doctors lips. He
STROBE 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 a statue.
He laid his hat on the table, and, NOV
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 blotter. Then, folding il. she
placed it in her bosom. TO the law
yer's embarrassed protest she said:
81 am the executrix of this will,
and I prefer TO be its custodian. That
is your desire, dear is it not-you
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 a
bay window, where they began an an
mated 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 physician; her eyes fol-
lowed him az 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, tone
word viii you let me speak nowP
We may be parting for all eternity"
He opened his eyes and looked stead
lily upon her.
at is for eternity" he said. And
lneH, bOutHOW, MS manu- IOunu ner
head and rested there gently. you
are proud, Frances and hurt, but the
time will come when you will know
that have acted for the best"
"Oh, you think So" she said shali-
ing with half-suppressed emotion and
hiding her face. 81 know you think
so. But"
Listen, Francesl You have cous-
in whose name has long since ceased
to be spoken in my family. She was
proud-and ayward-and 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 dead2"
Eyes, to us!" he waited for breath
and strength to proceed. "A husband
would have saved her. She had a
right under the will-to choose--heT
residence. A foolish aunt received her
She followed her own fancyl"
II would not talk OF it, father II
excites you"