Hallowell's present will leaves his
fortune to his niece. He has made another will, which he has not
signed, leaving his fortune to the Hallowell Institute. He will
ask his sister to which of these he should leave his money. You
will tell him -- " he corrected himself instantly. "She will tell
him to give it where it will be of the greatest good to the most
people -- to the Institute." There was a pause. "Do you
understand?" he asked.
"To the Institute. Not to the niece," Vera answered. Gaylor
nodded gravely.
"What," asked Vera, "are the fewest words in which that message
could be delivered? I mean -- should she say, You are to endow
the Hallowell Institute, or Brother, you are to give -- Sign
the new will?" With satisfaction the girl gave a sharp shake of
her head, and nodded to Vance. " Destroy the old will. Sign the
new will. That is the best," she said.
"That's it exactly," Gaylor exclaimed eagerly; "that's
excellent!" Then his face clouded. "I think," he said in a
troubled voice, "we should warn Miss Vera, that to guard himself
from any trickery, Mr. Hallowell insists on subjecting her to
the most severe tests. He -- "
"That will be all right," said the girl. She turned to Vance
and, in a lower tone but without interest, asked: "What, for
instance?" Vance merely laughed and shrugged his shoulders. The
girl smiled. Nettled, and alarmed at what appeared to be their
overconfidence, Gaylor objected warmly.
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