“Worse and better,” he replied, smiling cynically. Then suddenly he announced: “I’ve made my will.”
‚ÄúWhy‚ÅÝ‚Äîwhy‚ÅÝ‚Äî‚Äù she stammered.
“Why?” sharply. “Because I’m going to die.”
She said nothing.
He smiled and continued:
‚ÄúI‚Äôve got it all fixed. Harry was in a tight place‚ÅÝ‚Äîgambling as usual‚ÅÝ‚Äîand I gave him a lump sum in lieu of all claims. Then I gave John Taylor‚ÅÝ‚Äîyou needn‚Äôt look. I sent for him. He‚Äôs a damned scoundrel; but he won‚Äôt lie, and I needed him. I willed his children all the rest except two or three legacies. One was one hundred thousand dollars for you‚ÅÝ‚Äî‚Äù
“Oh, father!” she cried. “I don’t deserve it.”
“I reckon two years with Harry was worth about that much,” he returned grimly. “Then there’s another gift of two hundred thousand dollars and this house and plantation. Whom do you think that’s for?”
“Helen?”
‚ÄúHelen!‚Äù he raised his hand in threatening anger. ‚ÄúI might rot here for all she cares. No‚ÅÝ‚Äîno‚ÅÝ‚Äîbut then‚ÅÝ‚ÄîI‚Äôll not tell you‚ÅÝ‚ÄîI‚ÅÝ‚Äîah‚ÅÝ‚Äî‚Äù A spasm of pain shot across his face, and he lay back white and still. Abruptly he sat up again and peered down the oaks. ‚ÄúHush!‚Äù he gasped. ‚ÄúWho‚Äôs that?‚Äù
‚ÄúI don‚Äôt know‚ÅÝ‚Äîit‚Äôs a girl‚ÅÝ‚ÄîI‚ÅÝ‚Äî‚Äù
He gripped her till she winced.