Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-03-19

her 10 hear the will read before sign
| it, doctor"
II am here, papa" said the girl, com.
ing slowly forward and standing quiet
~ near him. He looked into her face
long and intently, his own softening.
Il would suggest" said the doctor
rising and addressing the elder wom-
an, that We leave them alone for a
few moments; he seems trifle bright
er just now" She fixed her black eyes
upon him steadily, and slight smile
moved the hard lines of her mouth.
ut would not do. Frances is excit-
able, and excitement is contagious"
but I am sure, madam"
ut is useless, sir. He relies upon me,
and is nervous If leave him for even 8
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 moment, she resumed her caress.
ings, and he made NO further resist.
ance.
II wantmy daughter to hear it re- d."
he said, ENORMOUSLY, reverting to a
thought unspoken.
"Oh, I would not let her do that, SIR
said Brodnar. "You will not permit
that, madam!"
"She shall hear it," said the woman.
ut pleases him; and he has good OBJ.
ject in it. am sure"
A professional man who had been
Rrif{noy oN ctIo &st,
ward and read the dying mans will, a
notary standing near. The latter ex-
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 amply pro-
yided for by deed of gift during nv
life, bequeath to my daughter. Fran
ces Brookin, upon condition that she
shall, ON or before attaining the age
OF Fl 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 hayward girl
by giving her guardian who is in all
respects gentleman and worthy Of
every confidence. But il my said
daughter, Frances. fails OF declines to
marry the said Raymond Holbin with
in the limit of her minority, OF immedi.
ately after attaining her majority,
then 1 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 charYc upoh my eetutv S,.--
ing her life for sustenance and clothing
only, unless it happens that she enters
into 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-
mands from her, her heirs OF assigns"
Absolute silence followed the read
ing of the document, except that an ex-
clamation, half an oath, half 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 it, she
placed it in her bosom. To the law
yer's embarrassed protest she said:
III am the executrix Of this will,
and prefer to be its custodian. That
Is your desire. dear. is it not-you
wish to keep the will here in the
honse?" 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 ALT" 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 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
ly she sank by his side and clasped
her hands upon his knees.
Father" she said, gently, lone
word! Will you let me speak now?
We may be parting for all eternity"
He opened his eyes and looked stead
lily upon her.
ut is 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 have acted for the best"
"Oh, you think So" she said, shak-
Ing with half-suppressed emotion and
hiding her face. 81 know you think
so. But"
Listen, Frances! You have cous-
in whose name has long since ceased
to be spoken in my family, She was
propd-and waywaFd-andh eadstrong,
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 dead?"
"Yes, to u.s." he waited for breath
and strength TO proceed. "a husband