The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-04-11

T.
ing. The small, straight, relentless
mouth and aquiline nose gave a note
of severity to her face. Her charm,
it is likely, had existed in the con-
tour and coloring of that face, and
in certain easy self-reliance, or
| consciousness of power. Just now her
face was inscrutably placid. She
spoke only in tones so low as to be
audible but short distance.
Across the room girl stood looking
idly, dreamily, from a easement WIN
dow into the trees. She was slender,
with mass of reddish, golden curls
gathered back and fallen over her
shoulders. The profile revealed birth
and refinement, and suggested nobil-
ity, high purpose and innate purity.
There was. wistful tenderness about
her mouth and a soft radiance in her
blue-gray eyes when from time to time
she turned towards the group gath
cred about the sick man.
Il am at loss, madam" the doctor
was saying, ''to account for his lack
OF improvement. There seems to be
nothing organically wrong, and yet
the nerve centers are totally inactive"
He picked up several medicine bottles
and examined them, testing their con-
tents by smell and sight. The tall
woman's eyes met his
HE passed restless night" she said,
laying her hands upon the sick mans
forehead. There was considerable
confusion in the city, and some one
just before daylight fired pistol n ear
the house. This gave him a fearful
shock"
"There is much excitement in Rich
mond over the secession movement
said Brodnar, land the police are far
too few for these times. What have
you given him during the night?"
Il want my daughter to be present."
said the sick man, fretfully; II want
her to hear the will read before I sign
it, doctor"
II am here, papa" said the girl, COM
ing slowly forward and standing quiet
ly near him. He looked into her face
long and intently, his own softening
II would suggest" said the doctor.
rising and addressing the elder wom-
an, that we leave them alone for a
few moments; he seems trif1e bright
er just now" She fixed her black eyes
upon him steadily, and a slight smile
moved the hard lines of her mouth.
ut would not do. Frances is excit-
able, and excitement is contagious"
"But am sure, madam-!'
1T is useless, sir. He relies upon me,
and is nervous if leave him for even a
minute" Her white hand fell in rhyth-
mic monotony upon the invalid's fore
head. Presently he reached up impa.
tiently and pushed it away; but, wait.
ing a moment, she resumed her caress-
ings, and he made no further resist
ance.
II want my daughter to hear it read"
he said, ENORMOUSLY, reverting to a
thought unspoken. .,..-
"Oh, would not let her do that, sir"
said Brodnar. "You will not permit
that, madam!'
"She shall hear it," said the woman.
1T pleases him; and he has a good OBJ
ject in it, I am sure"
A professional man who had been
writing at side table now came for
ward and read the dying mans will,
notary standing near. The latter ex-
changed glancesx with Brodnar and
looked away, half smile upon his lips.
The document, after the usual recita-
tons 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-
yided for by deed of gift during my
life, bequeath to my daughter, Fran
ces Brookin, upon condition that she