The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-15
STORY OF TWO LOVERS.
Mysterious Power of Mesmerism EN-
ployed to Thwart Favored Rival.
Buffalo Commercial.


ployed to Thwart Favored Rival.
Buffalo Commercial.
Eight years ago Walter Granton and Cy-
ril Bradthurst were friends and rivals for
the smiles and favor of Iva Lawton, the
beautiful and accomplished daughter OF old
Ma jor Stephen Lawton, Philadelphia real
estate dealer of considerable wealth Both
young men were well connected and moved
in the best society, and it seemed uncertain
who would be successful in capturing the
fair prize each coveted
Granton was fair haired, with brown
eyes, and his manners were unaffected as
we'll as polished. Bradthurst had coal
black hair and eyes, and it was was: sometimes r
spectacle young man of the sedate q - ker
city. His manners were dashing. anu ne
had always been fatteringiy successIui III
attracting the attention and admiration or
Although the two young men understood
their position in regard TO Miss Eawton
neither seemed inclined to discuss the situ-
alton with the other, and their friendly re-
lations continued while both were striving
to win the affection of the girl they loved
and hoped to marry.
A rivalry of this sort usually makes the
best of friends enemies, but this case
seemed an exceptional one. 1t was thought
that whoever proved the lucky man would
receive the congratulations and best wishes
of the other. -
At length Granton began to fancy himself
the favored one, and within his heart
Bradthurst thought so too. AS result the
young man with tha ane ooa pood for him and
one night, meeting Granton, he made
strange proposal. ,
said Bradthurst. Neither of us knows
which one she cares for the most. l think
we had better settle the question this
.How@' questioned the other. half sus-
pecting a forthcoming challenge to a duel.
by going to 'her and telling her the
truth-that is, that we love her. Then we
will ask her to choose between us. The
one who is rejected shall be best man for
the other and hold no hard feelings. What
This seemed fair and manly enough, but
( Granton could not help suspecting an un-
DERIVING purpose, SO he demurred; Thls ap-
peared to arouse the anger OF Bradthurst,
and fixing his piercing eyes on the others
by heaven. you shall do it whether you
Singularly enough, Granton made no fur
ther objection, and they proceeded to call
on Miss Lawton. She happened to be at
home and willing to receive them, although
surprised by their unexpected visit
Then strange thing happened, Granton
did not wait for his cOmrade 10 speak, Dut
Immediately said:
Miss Lawton. I have come here to tell
you something you do not suspect, ana that
is that l am not worthy Of the friendship
and esteem you have given me- L fancy L
have prevented you and Cyril from becom-
ing better friends than you are now, but
hereafter / will trouble you no more. My
past record will not bear investigation, and
so bid you goodbye forever"
a
manner, and Granton Immediately departed,
although Bradhurst, apparently panied and
filled with CONSERVATION, tried TO prevent
him by gentle means. The emotions OF the
Young lady can better be imagined than de-
scribed. Bradthurst explained the real OBJ
ject of their call, protesting utter amaze
ment at the strange words Of his cOmrade.
From that time Walter Granton acted in
the most singular and erratic manner ana
his peculiar behavior soon attracted univer1
sal attention. He grew worse and worse,
and in less than three weeks ne was exam
med by medical experts, pronounced in
sane, and incarcerated in an asylum for
the deranged
With a clear field, it seemed that it would
be an easy matter for Cyril Bradthurst to
win Iva Lawton, but 1T did not prove thus;
The girl retired from society, gave up all
her former pleasure and lived a life or Sc
clusion. All efforts to cheer her and bring
her back to her old ways were fruitless.
She seemed to entertain positive dread of
Cyril Bradthurst, and he soon found 1t i'm
possible to obtain word with her
Bradthurst regularly visited his former
friend in the asylum, and it was soon noted
Granton was slightly worse after these
visits. He would sometimes recover and
seem natural and sane for day or two,
but with the appearance or BradthurSt he
had a relapse.
For a long time Bradthurst continued to
hope he would finally succeed in winning
Iva Lawton, but at length, driven to des-
perate measures by his inability to see her
| face to face, he proposed by letter. Her
| reply utterly crushed his hopes and he took
Within week a terrible accident shocked
BradthurStS friends. While his way to
New York the young man fell in some
mysterious manner from the EXPRESS train
| and was fatally injured Ere he died he
| made remarkable and astounding con-
fession.
In this confession he declared Walter
| Granton was not insane at ALL but was in
| a mesmeric trance. Bradthrust possessed
| the power of mesmerism, of which he had
| not been conscious of until the day he de-
manGed that Granton should accompany
| him to call on the girl they both loved.
| Then he found he could control his friend
| fully by looking deep into his eyes and
| suggesting words and actions. A sort of
| mysterious telegraphy was instituted be-
tween them, and Granton acted and spoke
| Bradthurst desired. By causing Gran
ton to do strange and unnatural things
| Bradthurst had succeeded in having him
removed to an asylum one deranged
! This story was generally discredited by
the public. but ii was noted from the hour
| Bradthurst drew his last breath Granton
| appeared once more a sane man. In a
| short time he was released from the asylum
| as cured and to-day he is prosperous
| business man in San Francisco.
His wife is the true-hearted one who
] loved him even though she had heard him
| declare himself unworthy of her.