The daily Alaskan., 1906-01-11
The Hatch Will

about to de De hQu no CutSh OA NuAAN to whom to leave the estate that had been in the family for many years The only available relative was his nephew. Raymond Hatch, who Inherit ed his uncle's dislike for women and who at his own death would not be likely to leave an heir. Against this the old man undertook to provide. He left the estate to Raymond on condi' ton that he marry within one year after coming into possession. Six days after making the will the testator died.
 Raymond on hearing the will read was delighted till he came to the clause requiring hls marriage; then his coun. tenance fell. Like most women haters, within the depths of his heart he had the image of an ideal woman whom he never expected to find. However, since there was now the spur of fortune to drive him on, he started out in hunt for A girl whom he could love. Since Raymond was a fine fellow with a fortune he found plenty to choose from. Girls were thrown at him like hail stones. There were pushing girls, mod est girls, bad girls, good girls-indeed, girls of all kinds.
 Now, the chances are that when a woman hater falls in love it will be with some helter skelter girl instead of a steady, reliable woman who can be surely counted on to make good wife. So 1t was with Raymond Hatch. He fell before the charms of Grace Maryott, as graceless a tiirt as ever an- gled for man. If there was serious thought in her head 1t did not appear. There was no prank of which she was not capable. With it all was certain indescribable witchery that fascinated men where sterling qualities would have had no effect. Such girls some times when they find themselves con fronted with the serious problems of wife and mother make very good wives, but they are uncertain.
 Raymond would have liked to keep the secret of bis inheritance, but eligi- ble young men with fortunes cannot hide them, and RaymOnd's fortune was a widely known fact. Miss Maryott knew all about it, but had the elfront. cry to pretend that she supposed him to be a poor man, while Raymond had the stupidity to believe her. Raymond did not meet the girl till within two months of the time of expiration of the year fixed by the will for matrimony, but during these two months a great deal was accomplished. The truth is Miss MaryOtt left MT. Hatch very little to do in the matter. These fiirts know men better than the steady, modest women do, and are aware that a man does not object to being courted by a woman for whom be does not have positive dislike. Besides, tlirts have a way of backing anl filling that is pug zllng. Miss Maryoct blew hot and cold until she got Hatca in fever of un' certainty. On several occasions when she was blowing hot he tried to get in a proposal, but she always contriYed to head him of. One week before he must marry or lose his inheritance he was still uncertain ot bis fate.
 At this time Miss MaryOtt suddenly became apparently very piiable. Hatch had been reproYing her for trifinG with him, and she appeared so con- trite that, taking advantage of the op- portunlty, he blurted out his proposal. To his astonishment she refused him.
 It seemed to him that the bottom had droped out of the universe.
 But when It came to the reason for her unexpected action the girl unblush- ingly told him that 1t would be unwise for two people 10 marry both being unendowed with worldly goods.
 Hope sprang back into the lovers breast, and he told her of his uncle's will and it's important condition.
 Then came the most surprising blow of all. Miss MaryOtt looked at him with well affected surprise and coolly asked him if he considered her one to marry for money. He pointed out the want of logic In such conclusion. but with no effect. The girl told him that he must look elsewhere for some one to help him secure his fortune. Her heart was too sacred to be used in any such mercenarY manner, wherCupoI Hatch declared that his fortune might go to charity or the dogs for all he cared and left her.
 At the last moment the heir prospec- tive was approached by Miss Wyman, a friend of Miss Maryott's, who argued with him the folly Of letting a fortune go that might as well be secured. She advised Hatch to comply with the pro- vision of the will by marrying some old woman who had not long to live Hatch was desperate and did not care what he did. Miss Wyman agreed to introduce him to q woman of eighty who could not possibly live a week. Hatch consented, and arrangements were made accordingly,
 It was not till 10 o'clock of the day the limit of time fixed by the will ex- pired that Miss Wyman kept her prom ise and introduced Hatch into a room where on a lounge, propped up by pill lows, an old woman. wrinkled, hollow checked, snaggle toothed, was waiting to receive him. 4 clergyman had been summoned, and there was nothing to