Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1901-04-24
CHAPTER V.-CoNrrNUEp.

CHAPTER N.-CoNTINUED.
professional man who had been
writing at a side table now came for.
ward and read the dying mans Will n
notary standing near. The latter cx-
changed glances with Brodnar and
looked away. half smile upon his lips.
The document, after the usual recita-
tions 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 aInply pro-
vided for by deed of gift during my
life, | bequeath to my daughter Fran
ces Brookin, upon condition that She
shall, 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
wee for the future of hayward girl
by giving her a qua rdiail- who is in all
respects gentleman and worthy OF
every confidence. But. If nv said
daughter. Frances. fails or declines o
marry the said Raymond Holbn with
IN the limit of her minority, or immeCii-
ately after attaining her majority.
then | Will and declare that all the
property named and described as the
residue Of my estate, after lecacics
specified have been paid. shall vest in
my wife Annette. the said Frances TO
become charge upon nv estate dur
ing her life for sustcnance and clothing
only, unless il happens that she enters
INTO marriage contract with some one
other than the said Raymond Holbin.
IN which event the charge shall cease
ana the estate be acquitted of all de-
mands from her, her heirs or assigns
Absolute silence followed the read
ing of the document, except that an ex-
elamation, half an oath, half groan.
burst from the doctors lips. He
strobe 10 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
ISM energy and signed, the witnesses
immediately attesting. The tall, grave
woman took the legal instrument and
spphed blotter. Then, folding it. she
placed IL in her bosom. To the law
yer's embarrassed protest she said:
i am the executrix OF this will.
ana prefer TO be it's custodian. That
is your desire. dear. is it not-vou
wish to keep the Will here in the
house," The exhausted invalid nod
dcd 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 q
lay 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
20 her by thc physician; her eyes fol-
lowed him az hc walked slowly away
and then returned 10 rest upon tho
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
H"'Hti. Fut sadie gently. "One
word! viii You let me speak now?
We may be parting for all eternity"
lie opened lis eyes and looked stead
fly upon her
1T is for eternity" hc said. And
then. somch wv his hand found her
head and rested there gently. "You
arc proud. Frances. and hurt. bus the
time viii come when YOU will know
that have acted for the best
"Oh. you think so" she said. shak.
ing with Dalf-suppressed emotion and
biding her face. ~ know YOU think
so But"
Listen Frances, You have a coue.
$40 whose name has long since ceased
so be spoken iu my family SL. was
proud and hayward and hcaGst. onp
TOO. You are very ike her as She was
when her fathers will made her my
ward-as She was when She passed
SWAY"
"she IS dcac7"
Yes, to MS" he waited for breath
ard strength g. proceed a husband
would have saved her. She had a
right under thc viii TO choose her
residence 4 foolish aput received her
She followed her own fancy"
81 would not talk OF it, father Il
eKcites YOU"