The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-03-04
THE BURNED WILL

Marie Richards stood looking from the kitchen window of the New Eng. land farmhouse that had sheltered her for the past fifteen years. Her uncle and aunt. the wInthrops. had adopted her when she was left m orphan two years of age. and they had never re- rretted 1t. for she had been joy and comfort to them In their home, while their only child. a son. had brought to them nothing but sorrow.
 Mir Winthrop had spent his life per fectlng his farm. of which he was very proud. and the thought that after his death his son Duncan would squan- | der it away In very short time so yexed him that after his wlfe's death be made a will giving everything he had to his adopted daughter. Marie, excepting S1.000 beQueathed to his son.
 The whole nelghborhood knew that such a will had been made, but now that the old man was dead and buried lt was not to be found, and puncan's name was mentioned in whispers of foul play.
 Marie stood looking sadly upon the fields of waving grain and watching the birds 1utter here and there. How happy they were togetherl Watching them made her realize her own lonell- ness, so she turned her gaze upon the highway and saw Duncan Winthrop approaching the house. Presently he stood before her-a young man that can be described by the one word proalgate.
 "I am going to sell the farm next week and came to tell you. so you can vacate these premises" said he. while watching the effect his words had upon the face before him.
 "You are going to sell the farm?" re- peated Maria in dazed way. trying to realize all that meant for her.
 "Yes. need the money and must have It."
 But where can goT
 "rhat you must decide for yourself. You have had good home here for fifteen years, and 1t Is about time you began to get your own living"
 But Father Winthrop never intend cd to leave me destitute He told me that he had made will providing for me. and lt will surely be found"
 Duncan Winthrop smiled and pulled from his pocket paper which he open. cd and held up for Marie to see. It was not such an elaborate affair as wills are nowadays. but a small sheet of letter paper. on which were written in as few words as possible John Win throp's wishes In regard to the dis posal of his estate after his death and signed by three witnesses.
 "Is that the will?" questioned Marie In astonishment.
 That is the will" was the curt reply.
 Where did you get it7"
 'I stole lt. Do you think would let any one else get possession of 1t? It makes all the difference In the world to me who has t. and to make myself wholly safe think I'll destroy 1t now" So saying. he walked to the kitchen stove. where a small fire was burning. and. placing the open paper upon the cOals. stood and watched the flames de- vour it. Marie, spellbound. watched it also.
 "I shall Inform Lawyer Ferris imme- diately what you have doner' she ex. claimed as the last bit of flame flicker cd out
 "Will youy returned Duncan. with a laugh. replacing the cover upon the stove. And how will you prove 1t. for I shall say didn'ty
 "They will believe me"
 Perhaps. but as long as you can prove nothing I can snap my fingers at what they believe. So now you must see 1t will be necessary for you to find new lodgings very soon." Then he left the house. and Marie stood IT, reSolutely watching him pass down the road out of sight
 Mechanically she approached the stove and lifted the cover. There. as though mocking her, lay the will in ashes. but every word visible still, and she read 1t through. great tears rolling down her cheeks at the words, "I give and beQueath to my beloved daughter, Marie Richards, the farm and every thing upon it."
 Suddenly lt occurred to her that If she could preserve the ashes in as per feet state as they then were 1t would be proof enough to establish Duncan's guilt and her own claim. For several minutes she stood debating in her mind the safest way to accomplish it. Presently, securing a piece of tin plate about the size of the will. she careful ly slipped 1t under the ashes and lifted it from the stove. So far SO good but 1t was not yet safe. for breath of wind or a sudden jar would turn 1t to dust
 Smearing q sheet of white paper with mucIlage, with the help of a ta- ble knife she gently pushed and lifted the phantom will from the tin to the paper and pressed it into place; then. to protect it from injury, she fastened over 1t a thin sheet of tracing paper. and. behold. the will was preserved, somewhat wrlnkled and ragged on the edges. but every word visible! It was accepted by the probate court as gen uine will. and the property was dis posed of as Farmer Winthrop wished | lt to ha for m one Wns inclined to