Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-03-27

Lady Laura smiled.
Il do not think it strange, Angel,
she replied. at is not an attractive sub,
iect; and we have never had any rea
son for mentioning it."
WAS my fathers will at all an eX-
traordinary one?" she asked.
Not so much extraordinary,
think, as incomplete" answered her
ladyship.
I'm what way incomplete, mammal
Angela asked.
In this way, my dear. Every one
thought that your dear father ought
to have left you a separate fortune
Instead Of that, and to prove, as am
sure, his entire trust in me, he left
the whole Of his wealth to me; and
at my death it was to go to you"
But what if l die first, mamma
and ! hope | shall should not care
to live one day without you-what
then, mammal"
1T is mine" replied her ladyship
pDeasiIy. ito do with as l will"
The girl looked thOughtfully into
her mothers face.
Mamma" she said, suppose
which Heaven forbid-that you die
first and all this inmense property
comes tc me, what shall do with 1t
"You will marry, Angel, and then
you must leave it to your children"
Il want t. understand The matter
fully, mamma; do not think me tire,
some Suppose bat / do not marry
what am | to d. with it them"
THAT is a weighty question, my
dear. | shall have to think some
time before answering it. There are
many noble purposes to which you
might devote it. have always thought
Of you as being married"
Il do not think I shall marry, nam
ma, unless l find some one just like
my own father"
I'VE must talk about this again
Angel" said her ladyship. "Mr. San,
some said your fathers will was in
complete as it gave no instructions
as to what you were to do with the
property in case you remained unmaT-
ried."
I'VE have no near relatives, have we
mammal"
NO; your dear father and myself
were almost alone in the world.
have some second cousins, but l dc
not even know where they live"
Il suppose" said Angela, that my
father never thought you would mar
~ again?"
Lady Lauras face flushed crimson.
Il am sure he did not, Angel" she
replied; and / repent with my whole
heart of ever having done so.
might have Known
Poor mamma" interrupted the
girl lovingly.
Angela paused before she asked the
next question; she hated the words
as she uttered them.
Mamma" she said, would you
mind telling me one thing more? Has
Captain Wynyard any interest in my
death? ?"
In your death. Angela?" exclaimed
Lady Laura. What a strange ques
ton, my dear. 1t quite startled me-"
Il mean will any money come to him
in the event of my DEATH" asked An
CELIA.
And remembering her will. Lady
Laura's face grew colorless.
Her husband had asked her not tC
speak of it. not to mention it to any
one. and now for the first time she re-
GREETED the promise she had given, foI
it seemed very clear to her that Angela
ought to know the whole truth. She
could not understand now why she
had been so foolish as to promise tC
hide what she had done from her
daughter Angela had already read
the truth in her mothers face.
This is the only secret | have ever
kept from you. Angel" she answered
slowIy-"the only one; | have not an
other III my life. But the captain asked
me. and | could not refuse him. for he
was so kind ana loving to me in those
days
Poor mamma" repeated the girl
but her heart was faint with anxiety
and suspense.
continued her Iadyship. The first
time we went to town after our mar
riage the captain persuaded me tC
make a will. 1t was to this effect
that, if YOU should unfortunately die
before me. he was to inherit all should
he survive me"
AS Angela listened to this confirma
ton of the nurses doubts and sus
picions. the truth gradually dawnet
upon her.
My death. then. she said slowly
would be his gain
Certainly. But then it is very i'm
probable that you will die first"
The very blood seemed to curdle il
the girls veins. for she knew how
often she had been near death, anc
now she guessed the reason.
Then it stands in this way
mamma-if l die before you, and 70,
die before Captain Wynyard. the Who'll,
of my fathers property falls into tina
mans hands,"
That is it, Angel.
i do not think ii is right or just
mamma You must annul that will
and make another. Why should he
| who has been so unkind TO you. in
/ herit the wealth that was my fathers
| 1t is not just Oh, l wish you haC
/ consulted me about it: l wish yo1
: had told me all the facts before
! mamma" cried the girl, sadly. as sh
thought what a terrible price she hat
nearly paid for her ignorance of them
1T is not fair" she went on. If W,