The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1920-05-06
a.
Forged Will
80

By GEORGE ELMER COBB
tcs''sasAt' a,,s; - e: ,Wsstss. Nsws.
4 young man refined In appearance
and manner came slowly up the hill
that brought the distant town Of Win
ton In view. There was something
sad and sombre In his present mood,
1t seemed, fer in . profoundly medita-
tdv and detected way he kept his eyes
dxed ateadfastly upon the ground I'M
III he reached the apex Of the hill.
In tho distance was the town.
Coming from it, direction was 4 herse
and rider rapidly nearing the only
habitation In near proximity.
The Half Way house, and that Is
Mercy Langdon." uttered the man in
great surprise and he started for.
ward. reached the old structure in ad-
vance Of the girl on horseback, nodded
sravely as she leaned from the sad
die and clasped his hand with mani
fest warmth and feeling and he helped
her dismount and silently helped her
to Q bench on the dismantled porch.
I'VE had better sit in the shade"
he suggested. "She did not come with
youf" and his eyes scanned the face
Of the elder sister Of the woman he
loved. full Of eager longing.
1T 10 better so. Roger" spoke Mercy
Lansdon. ut would be cruel to her,
It could do you no good. You don't
know how sorry I feel for you both"
and the gentle eyes we're filled with
tears. "She has sent the letters and
your presents" and Mercy extended a
small package.
The young man accepted 1t with
suivering frame. drew from his pocket
. similar packet, pressed his lips to
It Ia q reverent way, and averted his
face to hide his poignant emotion. The
woman regarded him pit1fully as she
said:
"Don't take It 20 hard, Roger. II
you had only returned six months
since, - was arranged, as Gladys
counted on. Your absence, your
silence complicated q situation already
bad and sad enough"
ut was no fault Of NINE" declared
Roger. II had. to stick to my post in
that far South American country to
protect the interests Of my employers.
4 lasting wet spell prevented even
tie transmission Of mail. But oh!
Mercy. 1t breaks my heart to. realize
that Gladys is compelled, yes, forced
to marry . man whom she despises.
nat I am doomed to lose the only
weman I have ever loved"
And she loves you still-and always
WILL" said Mercy. "You know how it
oil came about. Before our Uncle
Robert Ward went to the far North
70 look after his mining interests, his
s~scretary, Alvin Glassner, as you
know. sought to win Gladys. He re-
turned half q year ago with the story
Of the death Of Uncle Robert in a
snowslide. It was 4 terrible blow to all
ct ~. The proof Of Uncle Roberts death
was very circumstantial and the court
accepted It IL valid. Then Glass
nsr revealed the last will Of our Uncle.
What baleful influence he cexerted
ever our relative I do not know but the
will left his estate Jointly to Gladys
and 0lassner, provided they married."
Yes, I have heard all this" sighed
Roger Breen, "But how could Gladys
sell herself for money!"
You utterly misjudge her" cried
Mercy. with spirit. "You were not here,
and no word from you. Glassner
worked out his designs i%nsidiously. He
brought to light the fact that father,
who had been previously relieved
through the bounty Of Uncle Robert,
would have to become q disgraced
bankrupt IL he did not receive imme-
date financial help. which he could
give. At last fathers selfish pleadings
influenced Gladys. The die was cast.
Broken heartedly she consented to
promise to marry Glassner. who almost
proved to her that you were false or
dead. II 10 too late to falter, for
Glassner has in some way got father
into his power and under constant
dread OF what he may do, II Gladys
retracts her pledge. Oh. Rogerl what
was that3"
It was q groan, clear and distinct,
and It came from the interior Of the
old battered structure.
"some wayside tramp. probably"
earelessly spoke Roger. "The old ruin
p Z favorite camping spot for that
ilk."
The sound was repeated. The ac-
esnts expressed not WEAKNESS or som.
aolsnce, but apparent pain. Both
arose to their feet. The gentle hearted
Mercy chung to Rogers arm as she
implored him to investigate further.