being under age and heir to some
property, must have a guardian.

"That should be left to me," she said to herself. "I am quite
capable--her natural guardian too; and I trust he has not associated any
one else with me. It would be too provoking, for he would be forever
interfering in my plans and wishes for the child."

She waited till the day after that on which the body was laid away in its
last resting-place, then finding herself alone with her brother-in-law,
said to him, "I want a little talk with you, Lester, for it is time for
me to be arranging my plans. As you were with your brother for some weeks
before his death, I presume you can tell me all about his affairs. Did he
make a will?"

"He did; leaving his entire estate to his wife and child," replied
Lester, in a grave but kindly tone.

"One third to me and two to her, I suppose?"

"Yes; but I think he said you would be the richer of the two, having some
property of your own."

"That is quite correct. I am appointed executrix, and guardian to Evelyn
of course?"

"No," Lester replied, with some hesitation, for he saw that she would be
ill-pleased with the arrangements Eric had made; "at the earnest
solicitation of my brother, I consented to become his executor and the
guardian of his child."

Laura did not speak for a moment, but her eyes flashed and her cheek
paled with anger. "Ah, I might have known it," she hissed at length; "had
I not been the most innocent and unsuspicious of women I should have
known better than to leave him for weeks to the wiles of designing
relatives; when, too, his mind was weakened by disease."

"His mind was perfectly clear and strong from first to last, Laura,"
returned Lester mildly, "and you greatly mistake in supposing I had
anything to gain by agreeing to his wishes or that I was at all covetous
of either office."

"Pardon me," she sneered, "but if you do not receive a percentage for
your trouble, you will be the first executor I ever heard of who did
not."

"I shall not accept a cent," he retorted, with some slight indignation in
his tones.

"We shall see; men can change their minds as well as women. But surely I
am associated with you in the guardianship of Evelyn?"

"According to her father's will I am sole guardian," said Lester.

"It is too much; I am the child's natural guardian, and shall contest my
rights if necessary," returned Laura, defiantly; and with the last word
she rose and left the room.

E