The daily Alaskan., 1904-09-15
HALF A LOAF
 FOR A FORTUNE


 daughter Mabel, but the drawing of the will had been faulty, and the tes- tator's nephew, Archibald Longwell, who without a will would have been her sole heir at-law, considered him self entitled to the property. His weak point was that the jewels were in Ma bel's possession. His lawyers had ad- yised him that since possession was nine points of the law the first thing to do was to secure the property.
 One evening the late Miss Longwelrs manseryant, Tom Carkenwell, the only servant she kept, was in the kitch- en securing the knives and polishing the silver. Mabel, who had done the cooking, was also there making some bread.
 Miss Mabel" said Tom Clarkenwel, ''the old woman was cur'us, wasn't sheY'
 "You mean Miss Longwen. Yes, she was singular, but she was a very good woman"
 'I hear she left all her property in drmon's."
 "In precious stones"
 Where did she keep 'em-in the bankT"
 The question was asked in a halting way that indicated self consciousness, Miss NIabers suspicious were aroused.
 No. She kept them in a stocking"
 And where did she keep the stock ingT'
 Tied around her waist under the skirt of her dress"
 Jaws a-mercy! What a queer place! She can't keep 'em there now since she's dead"
 No. have them in charge now
 Tom did not think 1t prudent to ask any more questions, and Miss Mabel didn't enlighten him further. She Irt the dough she had been kneading iE O pan and left 1t to rise. She then went upstairs to bed, but not to sleep. She was suspicious of Toms interest in her aunts property. There was an unused fireplace In the sitting room with an iron ornamental front. Mabel had taken out this front and stuffed the jewels up the chimney. While she was lying awake she saw light in the hall through a crack in the door. Jumping out of bed, she was just in time to sec Tom going in his stocking feet to the Goor above. She listened to him hunt ng through the rooms till she heard ron sCrape on stone and knew he was removing an iron fire front. She felt gure that if he did the same on the ground floor he would find the treas urc. Slipping downstairs, she entered the kitchen, and, seeing the dough she had kneaded, 1t occurred to her to put her fortune in 1t. Gliding noiselessly Into the sitting room, she secured the jewels and buried them in the dough, getting upstairs and into her room be- fore Tom came down. When he did so he searched the second floor and after that the first, not emitting the fireplace, In the morning Tom was not so chatty as usual, and Mabel did not say anything to indicate that she had heard him moving In the night. At 10 o'clock she was about to start for the office of the late Miss LOngwelrs lawyer to ask his advice about a safe place for the jewels when she saw Tom go out be- fore her. She kept behind him, his way lying the same as hers. Presently he turned into building in which she knew Archibald LOngwcll had an of flee. She hurried on and was just in time to see Tom go into LOngwelIs office. Toms interest in the jewels was explained. He was acting for the heir-at-law.
 Tom Clarkenwell reported to his em ployer that he could not find the jew els, and LOngwell changed his plans, He decided upon proposing a settlement of the question between himself and Mabel by an offer of marriage. This was carrying out a plan that had been proposed by Miss Longwell and de cllned by the nephew. Indeed, he had never failed to snub his aunts prOtegcc when an opportunity occurred.
 In the afternoon a note came from LOngwell to Mabel with his propOSi- ton. Mabel had been to her aunts att torney, and he had agreed to Call for the diamonds after office hours that evening, keep them in his safe over night and place them with a safe de- posit company the next morning Mabel wrote a reply to LOngwell, inviting him to take tea with her that evening.
 .ff n he considered the game won. It was plain the girl was inclined to accept him, but 1t might not be necessary for him to marry her. Once in her cont- dcnce he might secure possession of the property.
 Mir Longwell called at the hour ap- pointed, and Mabel invited him into the ten room. He attempted a lovers de- meanor. but was somewhat chilled by the lady's co1lncSs. She entertained him rather with dainty Catablcs than with words. While they were at tea the door bell rang. and Tom. who went to the door. announced the attorney.
 By the bye Mir LongweIl,' said Mabel. ''I want you to taste some bread of my own making" Taking up a loaf beside her, she cut it through the mid- de. revealing an old stocking. This goes to the gentleman in the other room." s. said. opening the stocking sufficiently to reveal few of the jew els it contained As for the bread. I'll divide it with you. Half loaf is better than none. they say" And.