The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-03-11
THE BURNED WILL

Tor the past uIteeu years. HUT uhSe and aunt. the winthrops. had adopted her when she was left an orphan two years of age. and they had never re- grctted lt. for she had been Joy and eomfort to them in their home. while their only child. son. had brought 10 them nothing but sorrow.
 Mir. Winthrop had spent hls life per fecting his farm. of which he was very proud. and the thought that after bis death his son Duncan would sQuan' der 1t away In very short time so vcxed him that after his wife's death be made will giving everything he had to his adopted daughter, Marie. excepting Si.0O0 beQueathed to his son.
 The whole neighborhood knew that such will had been made. but now that the old man was dead and buried It was not to be found. and Duncan'B name was mentioned In whispers Of foul play.
 Marie stood looking sadly upon the fields of waving grain and watching the birds flutter here and there. How happy they were together! Watching them made her realize her own loneli- 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 pro1igate.
 "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 unon the face before hlm.
 You are going to sell the farm;" re- peated Maria In a dazed way. trying to realize all that meant for her.
 "Yes. l need the money and must have it"
 But where can I goT"
 That you must decide for yourself. You have had good home here for fifteen years. and It 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 a will providing for me. and lt will surely be found"
 Duncan Winthrop smiled and pulled from his pocket paper which he open. ed 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 ln regard to the dis. posal of his estate after his death and signed by three witnesses.
 'Is that the wlll;" questioned Marie ln astoniShment.
 'That Is the will. was the curt reply.
 "Wheye did you get lt?"
 q stole lt. Do you think l would let any one else get possession of it? It makes all the difference In the world to me who has lt. and to make myself wholly safe think I'll destroy it now" So saying. he walked to the kitchen stove, where small fire was burning. and. placing thc open paper upon the coals. stood and watched the flames de- vour i,. Marie spellbound. watched it also.
 Il shall inform Lawyer Ferris mme- diately what you have done" she ex. claimed as the last bit of flame flicker. cd cut.
 "Wil you?" returned Duncan. with laugh. replacing the cover upon the stove. And how will you prove lt. for shall say dldn'tT"
 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 it will De necessary for you to ind new lodgings very sOon." Then he left the house. and Marie stood lr. 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 it 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 t."
 Suddenly lt occurred to her that If she could preserve the ashes in as per feet a state as they then were It 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 piece of tin plate about the size of the will. she careful ly slipped 1t under the ashes and lifted lt from the stove. So far so good, but 1t was not yet safe. for a breath of wind or a sudden jar would turn 1t to dust
 Smearing a sheet of white paper with mucilage. with the help Of ta- ble knife she gently pushed and lifted the phantom will from the tin to the paper and pressed 1t Into place; then. to protect 1t from injury, she fastened over 1t a thin sheet of tracing paper. and, behold. the will was preserved. somewhat wrinkled and ragged on the edges, but every word visible! It was accepted by the probate court as a gen ulne will. and the property was dis posed of as Farmer Winthrop wished lt to be. for no one was inclined to prosecute Duncan for what he had lone. He received his thousand dollars md was never seen in that neighbor- lOOd again.