The daily Alaskan., 1905-11-06
PoSf Morfem
 ReU eng c

[OrigiuaLl
 In a handsome city residence few people were assembling to listen to the reading of the will of the recently deceased owner of the property and a considerable fortune besides. The widow and her son. twenty-five years old. the issue of a former marriage, en- tered, followed by a girl of nineteen. the daughter of the tcstator. The elder woman was dressed in deepest mourning. Her son wore as sOmber garments as his mother, his studs and sleeve buttons even being black. So deep was the grief of the stepdaughter that she seemed unconscious Of what she wore. Her stcpmothcr and step brother, however, left a seat for her between them and regarded her from time to time with tender, sympathetic glances. A few relatives of the de- ceased followed these principal mourn CTS, the family lawyer bringing up the rear. When all were seated he un- folded the will and read:
 "T, Henry Arthur Clifford, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I be- Queath all my property, real and per sOnal to my beloved wife, Elizabeth Clifford, In perfect confidence that she will make suitable provision for my daughter, Anna Louise GiffOrd.'
 This will" remarked the lawyer, twas made two years ago, and it does not appear that any other has been made since. There are no coJicils."
 It seemed to those present that if there was any cusc wherein a step mother should be thus honorcd with confidence It was this. The girl sat mute. Indeed she seemed to be so overcome with grief that she had no thought for the management of her interests. She allowed herself to be kissed by her stepbrothcr and his mother. Then the three were about to rise to go out when they heard voice from behind, at which the widow started. In 1t she recognized her hus- bands bosom friend.
 "I have to offer later will"
 The brief announcement had a with ering effect upon the widow. She caught at the arm of the chair, from which she had partly risen, and stared at the speaker.
 There Is no later will" she said. If you have one, it Is a forgery"
 The man advanced and handed a pa. per he carried In bis hand to the law yer, who took 1t, scrutuizel 1t and, after a careful examination of the sig nature, said:
 "Thls Instrument is properly drawn, bearing date only a few days before the testotor's death. I am well ac- quainted with his signature and con slider 1t genuine"
 Read it"' gaspcd the widow.
 "I will read it," said the man who had offered it, and he proceeded to do so. After the usual prclimiuurIes tue document continued:
 At the death of my late beloved first wife I married, for companion ship and for a mother for my little daughter, a woman who from the dag of the ceremony bent her lndOmItaOie will to the work of getting my prop erty for herself and her son. She pos sessed the ability to control both my self and my daughter. To the world we were a sIngularly united family In our home my child and lived as if under the spell of witchcraft. My wife brought me to the verge Of nervous prOstratiOu, then dem0ndeS that I should make a will at her die tatlon. refused, whercupon she brought me to the verge of luuacy, and I yielded. I made the will she wished that I might escape her prosecutions and having In view this revenge. ! am aware that my action stamps me for weak man, but I an convinced that no man can stand against the cruelty of a woman whom he cannot get rid of"
 Then followed a bCquost of the bulk 9f his property to his daughter, a few small legacics being left to other rcla. lives. In this connection the widow and her son were not mentioned. The document concluded as follows: q di. rect that my daughter shall from the opening of this will be under the care of my lifelong friend, Robert Eivard, who Is hereby appointed her guardian and who has promised to make her