The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-07-16
HEBURNED WILL

! The kitchen window of the New Eng
 and farmhouse that had sheltered her ! For the past fifteen years. Her uncle and aunt. Che Wlnthlops. had adopted ! her when she was left an orphan two gears of age. and they had never re- trcttcd lL for she hhd been joy and comfort to them in their home while | ,hcir only child. a son, had brought Co ! .hcm nothing but sorrow, l Mr Winthrop had spent bis life per loctug his farm. of which he was very proud. and the thought that after ! LIs death hls son Duncan would squan- ter i, away in a very short time so ! ycxcd him that after his wircs death ! lc made a win giving everything he ! bad Co bis adopted daughter, Marie, excepting SlOOO bcqueathcd to his son. ! The whole uclghborhoOd knew that such a win had been made, but now that thc old man was dead and buried ! lt was not Co be found. and DuncanB ngmc was mentioned in whispers ot . foul play.
 | Marie stood looking sadly upon the 1 fields of waving grain and watching ' Che birds nuttcr hero and there. How ! happy they were together, Watching ! them made her realize her own loncli- . ness. SO she turned her gaze upon the , highway and saw Duncan Winthrop approaching the house Presently he stood before hcr-a young man that eau bc described by thc one word ! prol.sate.
 "I anu going to sell the farm next
 week and came Co tell you SO you can vacatc these premises" said he while watching the effect bis words bad unon the face before him. ! You are going to sell the farm:" re- pyatcl Maria lu a dazed way, trying to realize all that meant for hcc.
 "Yes. l need the money and must have lt"
 "But where can l goT
 "That you must decide for yourself. ' You have had a good home here for . fifteen years. and lt is about tune you began Co get your own living"
 "EUt Father Winthrop never intcnd- ed Co leave me destitute. He told me that he had made a win providing for me. and it will surely be found" ! Duncan Winthrop smiled and pulled from his pocket a paper which he open. 1 pd and held up for Marie Co see It was not such an elaborate affair as wills laro nowadays. but a small sheet of letter paper ou which were written lu Gs few WOrds Js possible John Win. throp's wishes iu regard Co Che dis. ! p1sal of L.s estate after hls death and sruei by three witnesses. "Is that Che wluT questioned Marie . ,a u,toulshmeut
 "Thlt Is thc w,,l" was the curt reply
 "Vlero did you cet .t:'
 "I stole lJ Do you think l would .ct any one else get possession or it3 It makes ail Ac difference iu thc world Co ao who has .t and Co make myself ! wholly safe | think I'u destroy it now" : Su rrrc hc walked Co tho kitchen stuls where a small fire was burning. and n.lc.a- Che open paper upon the c.a stool Jgj watched the flames dc. r.e t Marie. spcuhouud. watched it . also.
 .. shall Inform Lawyer Ferris lmmc. 1at .g what you have douc" she cx. .U.u.l Js a., lst b.t or dame flicker. . .l uut
 "Niu youF returned Duncan. with a laugh. replacing Che cover upon Che stove "All how win you prove it, for . ! shah say I didut"
 "Thov win believe me"
 "rerhlps. but as long as you cau prove nothing ! can snap my fingers 30. whgt they believe. So now you must see it win bc necessary for you
 n and new lodgings very soon." Then b. .e.t Che house. and Marie stood ir- rc.olute,y watching him pass down Che road out of sight
 Mechanically she approached thc stove and lifted Che cover, There. as though mockIns her. lay the will In ashes. but every word visible stIll, and sh. read it through. great tears rolling down her cheeks at the words. "t give and bcqugath Co my beloved daughter Marie Richards, Che farm and every. ,ale upon It"
 Suddenly lt occurred Co her that 1T she could preserve the ashes In as per feet a state as they then were it would hc proof enough Co establish Duncan's guilt and her own claim. For several minutes she stood debating la her mind Che safest way Co accomplish it Presently securing piece Of tlu plate about Che size of the will she careful ly slipped it under the ashes and lifted !t from the stove So far SO good, bu, lt was not yet safe. for a breath of wind or a sudden jar would turn it to dust
 SmearIng a sheet of white paper with mucIlage. with tho help of a ta- blc knife she gently pushed and lifted the phantom win from the tin to the paper and pressed it Into place; then, Co protect It from injury, shc fastened over it a thin sheet Of tracing paper and. behold. the w.ll was preserved. somewhat wrluklcd and ragged ou the tdgcs. but every word visible. 10 was accepted by thc probate court as gcn.