The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1901-09-12
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Copyright 1899, by J. n. Llppincott Com
pany. All rights reserved.
CHAPTER v.-CoNrISuEp.


A professional man who had been
writing at side table now came for
ward and read the dying mans will, a
sotary standing near. The latter ex.
changed glances with Brodnar and
ooked away. a half smile upon his lips.
The document, after the usual recita
dons and the naming Of numerous
snsll legacies for family servants and
sthers, proceeded as follows:
And the residue OF my property. my
wife, Annette, having been amply pro-
sided for by deed OF gift during my
dfe. I bequeath to my daughter. Fran
ses Brookin, upon condition that she
shall, on or before attaining the age
Of 2i years, accept as her lawful hus-
oand Raymond Holbin, who has asked
her hand Of me, my object being 10 pro-
vide for the future OF a wayward girl
oy giving her guardian who is in all
respects a gentleman and worthy Of
every confidence. But II my said
daughter. Frances. fails or declines TO
marry the said Raymond Holbin with
In the Limit Of her minority, or immcdi.
ately after attaining her majority,
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 sustenancc and othing
,nIy, unless II happens that she enters
into n 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-
monds from her, her heirs or assigns"
Absolute silence followed the read
Ing Of the document, except that an ex-
rlamation. half an oath, half a 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 ut the group. her
calm white face outlined against the
damask curtains rs the face Of q statue.
He laid his hat on the table, and. NOV
ing a 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 II. she
placed II In her bosom. To the law
yer's embarrassed protest she said:
II am the executrix of this will,
and j prefer to be its custodian. That
Is your desire dear, Is IL not--you
wish to keep the will here in the
house| The exhausted invalid nod
al q
openc" 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 endnn-
ger II all" She drew him into a
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 physician; 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
~ she sank by his side and clasped
her hands upon his knees.
"Father!" she said, gently. zone
word! VIII you let me speak nov? ?
We may be parting for all eternity"
lie opened his eyes and looked stead
lily upon her.
ut In 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"
"0h, you think So" she said. shak- |
Ing with half-suppressed emotion and |
hiding her face. ~ know you think
80. But"
"Listen, Frances! You have cous-
In whose name has long since ceased |
20 be spoken In my family. She was
proud--nnd wayward--andh hcn9strong, |
too. You are very like her as she was |
when her fathers will made her my |
ward--as she was when she passed-
sway"
"She is dead?"
ayes, to us!" he waited for breath |
snd strength to proceed ~ husband |
would have saved her. She had n |
right under the will--to choose--her
residence. A foolish aunt received her.
She followed her own fancyl"
II would not talk OF II, father. II |
excltes you"
81 must! She was alwnys--heedless
of ndvice--self willed-jealous--A |
then she-disappeared 49, leaving -
note--and disgracel ] let her 20. |
She Is dead to met" After n pause he
continued; II have seen you drifting
away--Frances! Observation-Disclosures
ing-I would save you--if ] could.
Weep no more--I have forgiven; I
have forgiven" The girl lifted her
face quickly, indignant and agonized. \
"You have been deceived, father; oh,
40 basely deceived. I am not way
ward--I have never yet disobeyed Vol
IL you had permitted I should he
been with you night aud day"
III had permitted!"
"ies. II was you, they told
che brokenly said--''it was you
sent me among strangerv TO SCH
sou wished mo never 10 come
Jour room"
"Frances!"
1T is too late now" she sa.S
anguish, shut cannot part from
without telling you the truth. II
you, father. would have ID
your dear daughter II you had n
put u beyond my power"
'Nhildl What A a xo,, A.. -.