Alaska sentinel., 1903-04-16
DISINHERITED.
VT was a dim. old-fashioned room

the great old bureau With Ills many drawers. that stood in the corner. With quick anu nervous fingers, she searched drawer after drawer. The twilight ieepened and still she had not found what she sought. The door opened, and sue turned with startled scream, real terror showing itself in her fair young face.
 The intruder looked on her sarcasti- cally.
 Miss Black, rifling my drawers. To what am l indebted for this honorF
 Daisy stared at him and tried in vain to speak until he had repeated his ques- tiUn.
 Il thought was looking-l thought my uncle-"
 And then, as his mocking glance stirred her to keener resolution, she spoked out plainly and collectedly:
 My uncle always assured ne that he would provide amply for our future, and as no will of his has been produced l feel sure that one is hidden some where among his papers. No one knows so well as l how he used to arrange his papers. and no one would be so likely to discover this. 1 could not ask your permission. Mir. Wallace"
 Certainly not, as you evidently ac- credit me with the intention of de- frauding you of an inheritance. You preferred to attempt to steal the docu- ment from amongst my property. Are you aware, Miss Black, that you have broken feloniJusly into my house, and that I should be quite justified in hand ing you over to the policef
 Daisy stood silent and aghast. She knew not what to say. It was her brother who had urged and taunted her into this proceeding, sorely against her own judgment, and thus delivered her over into the power of her enemy. What he said was bitterly true-she nau broken Into his house on the mis- taken assurance that he was far away.
 Edward watched her confusion with a certain satisfaction. He was pleased to find her more or less in his power and for the time being he was, and in ! tended to be. merciless.
 We will have little conversation, if you please, Miss Black. Be so good as to sit there," he said authoritstiyely You imagined that your late uncle left you a large share of his property as, indeed he had intended to do. Shall I tell you why he altered his inten- tion?"
 yes nor no, and he went on without it.
 About a month before his death he found your brother, Lieutenant Charles Black, engaged precisely as you have been engaged-in rifling this bureau He had entered precisely as you have entered. and was seeking the same thing. He wanted to know his chances of future inheritance with view to successful speculation. MT. Wallace was naturally indignant. He sent for me, his heir-atlaw, gave me certain in- functions, and destroyed his will in my presence If you had been sufficiently courteous to accord me the interview I asked last week after the funeral, you would have spared yourself this un- pleasantness; but you prefer to seek your information in your brothers way It is something in the blood, no doubt"
 Daisy moved uneasily.
 T think had right"
 Not to break into my house Per haps you would like to read the letter your uncle wrote me concerning Lieu tenant Black? You may judge from that what the world in general will think of your conduct when It comes to be known"
 Daisy read the letter. Every word was a stab to her. and she sat sick with despair. Edward took 1t back from her helpless fingers, and spoke on more gently:
 "I do not wish to make this matter public; I do not wish to make you ac- qualnted with the police, as you imag inc. Your family is too closely connect ed with mine. But I wish to be justi fled in the eyes of the world in taking all my rightful property, and 1t would suit me to make you my wife. If you wish to preserve your own and your brothers credit you can do it at that price"
 But I hate you, Edward Wallace" cried she, springing up in hot amaze ment. And how could you marry a woman you cannot trust-a woman with something in her blood?
 Your hatred does not much signify" he returned calmly, and as to the rest I shall take care that my wife conducts herself as she should. I give you twen- ty minutes for decision-marry me, or let all Glasgow know the reason of your inheritance"
 And with that he went out and left her, with the door locked upon her.
 For twenty minutes Daisy sat in nor tai anguish, her arms on the table and