The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-11-02
A DOUBLE PROPOSAL.

OF old Major stephen lIaVTCOn, a Rhllad6l-
phia real estate dealer of considerable
wealth.
Both young men were well connected
and moved in TIE 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
well 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 manners
were dashing, and he had always been
datteringly successful in attracting the at
tention 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 friendly
relations continued while both were striv-
ing 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 W hoover proved the lucky man would
receive the congratulations and best wishes
of the other.
At length Gzanton began to fancy him
self the favored one, and within his hoart
Bradthurst thought so too
As a result the young man with the
was good for him, and one night, meeting
Granton, he made a strange proposal
eve are both in love with Miss Law
ton, - said Bradthurst. Neither of us
knows which one she cares for the most.
I think we had better settle the question
this day
'Howf'' questioned the other, half sus-
pecting a 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 say9''
This seemed fair and manly enough, but
Granton could not help suspecting an un-
DERIVING 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 notl'
Granton made no further objection, and
they proceeded to call on Miss Lavton-
She happened to be at home and willing to
receive them, although surprised by their
unexpected visit.
Then a strange thing happened. Granton
did not wait for his comrade to speak, but
Immediately Said
- Miss Lawtun, have come here to tell
you something you do not suspect, ana
that is that I am not worthy of the friend
ship and esteem you have given me. I
fancy L have prevented you and Cyril from
becoming better friends than you are now,
but hereafter 1 ill trouble you no more.
My past record viii not bear investig cation,
and so bid you goodby forever. .
This was said in a strangely mechanical
manner, and Granton Immediately depart
cd, although Bradthurst, apparently pain
ed and filed with CONSERVATION, tried to
prevent him by gentle means.
The emotions of the young lady can bet
ter DO 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 uni
versal 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 a clear field, it seemed that it
would be an easy matter for Cyril Brad
thurst to win Iva Lawton, but it did not
prove so. The girl retired from society,
gave up all her former pleasures and lived
q life of seclusion. All efforts to cheer her
and bring her hack to her old ways were
fruitless.
She seemed to entertain q positive dread
of Cyril Bradthurst, and he soon found it
impossible to obtain a word with her.
Bradthurst regularly visited his former
friend III 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 of 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 re-
ply utterly crushed his hopes, and he took
to drinking again.
Within a week a terrible accident shook 4
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 a remarkable and astonishing con
fession.
In this confession he declared Walter
GrantOn was not insane at all, but was in
q mesmeric trance. Bradthurst possessed
the power OF Inesmerisn, 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 ceep into his eyes and sug-
costing words and actions A sort of mys-
terious telegraphy was esUa blished 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 it was noted that from the
hour Brudthurst drew his last breath Gran
ton appeared once more q sane man. In a
short time be was released from the asylum
as "cured, " and today he is a 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.-Ex-
change.