Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-06-29
THE LOST BRACELET.

not absolutely perfect, SUI more val
liable. Prof. Buchanan contemplated
it with all the satisfaction of an anti
quarian confirmed in an origlna
opinion.
1t was, after all, poor thing, at first
sight-only a dilapidated looking orna
ment, an old bracelet spoiled by sea
sand and sea water.
But in the eye of an antiquarian the
dishgurements of age are so many
signs of beauty. That the bracelet was
bent, that its gold was furnished and
the mosaics with which it was inlaid
were partly wanting was nothing its
antique shape and the magic word
Roma, with which its ancient maker
had cunningly engraved it, were quite
enough for the professor.
Moreover, had he not always main
tanned that the remains on that part OF
the coast we're Roman? His brother
professor, McNaughton, had constantly
endeavored to prove that that mighty
nation had never penetrated so far
north.
The ocean itself was to witness for
this truth, and only ten days ago this
precious relic had been offered to him
by fisherman, who had brought it to
shore in his net.
1t was with some difficulty that the
professor could conceal his sense of the
value of the bracelet sufficiently to
drive reasonable bargain; but his
Scotch prudence prevailed, and in his
heart he congratulated himself.
For some years he had spent part of
his holidays on this coast, where a far
famed river widened to the sea. and
the passing to and fro of the little
steamer across its mouth was one of
the great events OF the day. To-day
was stormy and the waves ran high.
and even now the professor had been
watching the somewhat rough passage
of the boat.
s "Overdue," he had said, and then he
had turned again to inspect his treas
ure. II only regret'-so ran his pro-
fessional thought--"that that para.
graph got into the Modern Athenian O..
yesterday; that body Andrew was just
premature in sending it. twill aDtici-
pate what | was writing to the An
tiquary."
Here's gentleman speering for
ye," said his rough Scotch domestic at
this moment recalling him rudely to
every day life.
The professor instinctively replaced
the bracelet in an open drawer, and
closed the latter quickly before he turn
ed to receive his guests, who proved
to be young man about twenty, short
hair and frank looking.
''Prof. Buchanan, think ?" said this
young man, with a bow. ~ must
apologize, sir, for intruding on you. l
have called upon you in consequence
of paragraph in the Modern Athe-
MAN."
''Deed," said the professor. II am
glad to hear it, sir. AT your age lads
are not always so much interested as
all that in antiquities. And what will
your name be?'
sMy w-there was perhaps
moments hesitation on the part Of the
visitor; his color deepened-"Oh, my
name is Henderson, and /"
"Sit down, Mr.. Henderson, sit down.
And so you saw the pit passage in the
paper; put in with no leave of mine,
must tell you"
''Well, | am very glad it was put in"
was the reply, 'for it has led to dis
covery-"
"a discovery you may well call it,
Mr.. Henderson" said the professor,
rising, and holding the lapels of his
coat with both hands "a discovery
confirming that which have for years
maintained, and that is, that the re-
mains hereabouts are Roman, and that
if we could get leave to excavate we
should find"
"Nay, sir" interrupted Mr.. Hender-
son, with smile, intended to disarm
and propitiate; 81 am afraid l am
not here to confirm your antiquarian
theories I am herein fact, | am
come to tell you that the bracelet de-
scribed IN the Modern Athenian be-
longed to a lady who wishes to claim
it."
'To leddyl'' calculated the profess
or, becoming more Scotch in his sur
N prise. "To Teddy. Ma, ma, Mr.. Hen
Il derson. The Teddy that wore that
81 bracelet is away to her grave, and will
ma claim it,"
But, sir was the rejoinder, II as
sure you | have often seen this lady
wear the bracelet you described in the
paragraph; and she herself has no
4 doubt 1t Is hers. 1t was brought to her
some years ago from Rome. You
know they make them on the antique
model still. The lady is very anxious
to have the bracelet restored to her.
and Prof. Buchanan is so well known
to the antiquarian world that we felt
sure that he would wish to be unde.
ceised in regard to the value Of an or
nament that has no claim to antiquity"
This last sentiment was certainly a
delicate piece of iattery. The pro-
fessor accepted it as q literal statement
Of the truth.
"Deed. Mr.. Henderson" said he,
and that's a fact But how will |
Know" continued tie cautious Scotch
man, "that the Teddy has sent you az