Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-08-10
HE COULDN'TWINH HER

phia real estate dealer of considerable
wealth.
Both young men were well connected
and moved in the best society, and 1T
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 sometimes limited he was
rather "sporty" for a respectable young
man of the sedate Quaker City. His man
ners were dashing, and he had always
been fatteringly successful in attracting
the attention and admiration Of the fair
sex.
Although the two young men under
stood their position in regard to Miss Law
ton, neither seemed inclined to discuss the
situation with the other, and their friend
ly relations 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 him
self the favored one, and within his heart
Bradthurst thought so too.
AS q result, the young man with the
coal black eyes began to drink more than
was good for him, and one night, meeting
Granton, he made strange proposal.
'We are both in love with Miss Law
ton," said Bradthurst. Neither of US
knows which one she cares for the most
think we had better settle the question
this day."
"How" questioned the other, half sus-
pecting a forthcoming challenge to duel
by going t" her and telling her the
truth-that is, nat 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 sayi"
This seemed fair and manly enough, but
Granton could not help suspecting an I'M
derlying purpose, so he 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 unexpecte6~Risit.
Then a strange thing happened. Gran
ton did not wait for his comrade to speak,
but Immediately said;
miss Lawton, 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. I
fancy 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-
tigatlon, and so bid you goodby forever"
This was said in a strangely mechanical
manner, and Granton Immediately depart
ed, although Bradthurst, apparently pain
ed and filed with CONSERVATION, tried to
prevent him by gentle means.
The emotions of the young lady can
better be imagined than described. Brad
thurst 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 worse and
worse, and in less than three weeks he was
examined by medical experts, pronounced
insane and incarcerated In an asylum for
the deranged.
With clear field, it 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 q word with her.
Bradthurst regularly visited his former
friend in the asylum, and it was soon not
ed Granton was slightly worse after these
visits He would sometimes recover and
seem natural and sane for day or 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 week terrible accident shock
ed Bradthurst's friends. While on 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 q 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 words and 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 more q sane man.
In q short time he was released from the
asylum as "cured, " and today he is pros
porous business man in San Francisco.
His wife Is the true hearted one who
loved him even though she had heard him