The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1894-09-14

receive the congratulations and DeSt wishes
of the other.
At length Granton began to fancy him
self the favored one, and within his heart
Bradthurst thought so too.
AS a result, the young man with the
coal black eyes began to drink moro than
was good for him, and ono night, meeting
Granton, he made strange proposal.
1--WE are both in love with Miss Law
ton," said Bradthurst. Neither of us
knows which one she cares for the most.
l think we had better settle the question
this day"
Howl" questioned the other, half sus-
pecting forthcoming challenge TO duel.
by going to her and telling her the
truth-that is, that we love her. Then we
shall ask her to choose between us. The
one who is rejected shall be best man for
the other and hold no hard feelings. What
do you say?"
This seemed fair and manly enough, but
Granton could not help suspecting an un-
DERIVING purpose, so be demurred. This
appeared to arouse the anger of Brad
thurst, and fixing his piercing eyes on the
others he cried:
"By heaven, you shall do it whether you
want to or not!''
Granton made no further 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. Gran
ton did not wait for his comrade to speak,
but Immediately said;
miss Lawton, l have come here to tell
you something you do not suspect, and
that is that am not worthy Of the friend
ship and esteem you have given me.
fancy I have prevented you and Cyril from
becoming better friends than you are
now, but hereafter will trouble you no
more. My past record will not bear inves-
tigation, and SO bid you goodby forever. I"
This was said in a strangely mechanical
manner, and Granton Immediately depart
ed, although Bradthurst, apparently pain.
ed and filled with CONSERVATION, tried to
prevent him by gentle means.
The emotions Of the young lady can
better be imagined than described. Brad
shurst explained the real object Of their
call, protesting utter amazement at the
strange words Of his comrade.
From that time Walter Granton acted
In the most singular and cratic manner,
and his peculiar behavior soon attracted
universal attention. He grew wosse and
examined by medical experts, pronounced
insane and incarcerated in an asylum for
the deranged
With a clear field, 1t seemed that 1t
would be an easy matter for Cyril Brad
thurst to win Iva Lawton, but 1t did not
prove So The girl retired from society,
gave up all her former pleasures and lived
life of seclusion. 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
impossible to obtain a word with her.
Bradthurst regularly visited his former
friend in the asylum, and 1t was soon not
ed Granton WINS slightly worse after these
visits. He would sometimes recover and
seem natural and sane for day OF two,
but with the appearance of Bradthurst he
had relapse
For long time Bradthurst continued
| to hope he would finally succeed In win
ming Iva Lawton, but at length, driven to
desperate measures by his inability to see
her face to face, he proposed by letter
Her reply utterly crushed his hopes, and
he took to drinking again.
Within a week q terrible accident shock
ed Bradthurst's friends. Whilo on his way
to New York the young man fell In some
mysterious manner from the express train
and was fatally injured. Fro he died he
made remarkable and astonishing con-
| fession.
In this confession he declared Walter
| Granton was not insane at all, but was In
| a mesmeric trance Bradthurst possessed
| the power of mesmerism, Of which he had
| not been conscious until the day he de-
| manded 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 wordsSand actions. A sort
| of mysterious telegraphy was established
| between them, and Granton acted and
| spoke as Bradthurst desired.
BY causing Granton to do strange and
| unnatural things Bradthurst had succeed
| ed in having him removed to an asylum
as one deranged.
The story was generally discredited by
| the public, but 1t was noted that from the
| hour Bradthurst drew his last breath
| Granton appeared once moro sane man.
| In O short time he was released from the
| asylum as "cured," and today no is pros
porous 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.--Buffalo
| Naws-