The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-05-17
By JENNIE C. SARGENT

den. three days in his grave, could have heard the comments which fol- lowed the reading of hls will be would probably have ehucklcd just as he had done In bygone dnys when his neigh bors had discussed his domestic or business affairs.
 The win was a marvel of simplicity, and Judge Barrow declared that no court on earth would set it aside. Nevertheless the women who loved Lucy Leyden for her gentle disposition and kindly heart openly grlevcd. The men who had admired John W.T. loughby's brave struggle against heavy odds swore at the deceased roundly for stubborn meddlcr with fate. Even Miss Polly Fowler, who had taught them both at the little rcd schoOlhousc. had been hearl Co remark In a tone not wholly devoid of fear at her own "brashness" that, while she didn't wish anybody bad luck, she shouldn't shed tears if she heard Hen ry Leyden had met his "comc-uppanee' In the next world.
 But the fact remained that the dead man had bcQueathed his stock In the Decatur and Lcydcnville road to ais nephew. Ben Morris; hls stock In the I.eydenvlllc bank to a distant home for crlpples Henry Leydcn had been afflicted from birth with a clubfOo9, and. after a few scattered beQucsts to distant relatives. to Lucy he had left only the old homestead and all per sonal property found thereon at the time or hls death.
 This at least assured Lucy and her mother the same refuge that had been open to them ten years before, when George Leydcn went the way of prod igal sons. leaving the two women to the mcrcies Of his crotchety but wealthy brother. But the Income that had supported the homestead dled with lts owner. and the question Of how it was to be kept up agitated an Leyden- vile
 Lucy and John Wnloughby had been engaged for four years, but the girls uncle had stood firmly against the mar. rlace. John had a mother and two sisters dependent upon him. He could not add to thls burden, and the shrcwd banker proposed Co adopt no nephew ln-law, however worthy the young man might be.
 The two young people did not at- tempt Co veil their disappointment, but they had more serious matters on hand. The handsome house, tucked in the rapidly growing business sec ton of the town, yielded not cent Of Income. Mrs. Lcyden was one of the clinging. dependent sort or women, and Lucy knew that she must face the problem alone.
 John suggested that they sell the place and. taking a small cottage. live on the income of safe. conservative investment of the balance. But Lucy protested against the sacrilege. She knew that it was her uncle's wish that she should continue to occupy the old house.
 Lucy thought they might take room CTS and boarders, but John pictured the pert young clerks from the freight offices or the dapper youths from the Boston stOor" waited upon by hls Lucy. and the plan died a violent death. lt was Mrs. Leyden-limp, phlegmatlc Mrs. Leyden-whO finally solved the problem.
 "You amt thought of the library, Lucy. You remember how your Uncle Henry always talked about it. He had been years collecting those old books. Lots of them go as far back os the Revolution. and some of the oldest were printed In England before there was any America. Don't you remem- Der how he used to walk up and down this room and shake hls head at the books. saying, Emmy, there's thou sands in this room, thousands! ! know he paid ridiculous prices for some of them. Maybe there's others as dalry about old books as he was.'
 Johns face brightened. and he took both of Lucy's hands in his.
 That's lt. Lucy. Wen have buyer come up from the city and look them over. There may be a fortune In them, and you need money more than those musty old things"
 Lucy did not answer at once. There was a strong strain of sentiment in her nature. and she loved especially this old library where her uncle had spent bis last days.
 Nevertheless that night she indited a letter to a noted collector In BostOr and two days later received a note stat ing that Mir. Henry Leyden's library was famous enough to warrant his sending a representative to Leyden- vile. His buyer would arrive the fol- lowing morning.
 And that night came the deluge. Lucy was sitting up" with Mrs. Hen derson's little boy. who had typhoid fever. John was to call for her at l2, when another neighbor would take up the task.
 At 10 the fire bell rang. Something told Lucy it was her home, and she sprang to her feet. It was half mile run. and when she reached there breathless. the bucket brigade, enfOrc