, 1878-08-31
THE TWIN BRACELETS.

Years ago / made my will, and you will
be nv heir. | shall not alter one line
Of that document, because | will not
bribe you to do my will, or even to he
an honorable man. You may marry
whom you will, and lose my love and
NV respect, but the money will still be
yours.
The quick, indignant flush upon Hill
ton Graemes face, the sudden erectness
of his figure told that his uncle had
well calculated the effects of his words.
Truly, with his frenk, brown eyes, his
sensitive mouth, his broad, white brow,
he looked little like man to be bribed,
but it was as easy to read that he could
be ruled by his affections. When he
spoke his voice was low his tone plead
ing
"Do you mean, Uncle George, that l
shall lose your love and respect if /
marry Ada WilletP
"Or any other woman who is abso-
lutely nothing. What do you know Of
herr"
"Only that she is the loveliest, noblest
woman / ever saw. If you knew her
you would love her"
"Yes-yes; but mean what do you
know OF her familyP
"Ohly what she told me herself, that
/ her mother died of poverty, after strug-
Cling to support herself by her needle.
They were miserably poor for a long time
and then Mrs. Willet began to give
work to Adas mother. When she died
Mrs. Willet took Ada to her own home,
ard after giving her every advaxtage
her own child could have enjoyed,
adopted her."
"What was her own nameP
"Smith."
"Bah p said Mr.. Hilton, with every
expression of deep disgust. "Well,
marry her if you will Your present
allowance shall be doubled, but you
need not bring her here;" end with sud
den fierceness he added, 81 want no
woman here, to remind me of past
n0peu nau lOrSOJueH.
Never in all his recollection of his
grave, quiet uncle, had Hilton seen him
so moved. His voice was sharp with
the pang of some sudden memory, his
eyes flashed, and his whole frame shook
with emotion.
"You are man now," he said, with
one of those strange impulses to conf
dence that often seize the most reserved
men, ga man seeking a wife. l will tell
you what has never before passed my
lips to any human being l have a wife
somewhere, end child, it may be-"
Utter astonishment kept Hilton 81
lent.
'It is all my own fault" Mr.. Hilton
continued, ''that am lonely, miserable
man, instead of happy husband and
father. Twenty years ago, when | was
past forty years old, fell in love. Fell
in love, for l was fairly insane over
Myra Delano when l had seen her three
times. 1 courted her with eager atten-
ton, rich presents, ffattery, every fasci-
nation / could command | was not an
unattractive man at foity. had tray
eled extensively, had been a close stu
dent, was emphatically society man, a
successful lawyer, and commanding
laKge wealth. Myra was twenty-five,
superbly handsome, accomplished and
graceful"
81 thought she loved me. l thought
there was only trust and devotion in the
lOve-light of her large blue eyes, the
varying color upon her cheek. We
were married, travelled two years in
Europe, and then returned here to this
house, and opened its doors TO society.
Our child was nearly a year old when
we came home, and what love | coRld
spare from Myra | gave to baby Anna.
We were very popular, being hospitable
and generous, gathering around US re-
fined people, and both exerting ourselves
to the utmost for the pleasure Of our
guest& But while we were travelling
all in all TO each other, there was sleeping
in my heart a demon who stirred 10 life
when we returned. Strong as my love