The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-12-14


behind the heiress, and for incidental
occupation he plotted what he or any
one Wonld doubtless have pronounced
fated game.
He had nothing to lose, and, with the
barest possibility why should he not
have ventured? It was beyond doubt
that this time he was free to take
wife, and it was a game at which he was
well trained. Nevertheless it is quite
probable that Richard Raymond was
the most surprised Of any when he
found himself accepted and the pros
pectlve heir to Yhaddeus Braddon's
wealth, to add to what now amounted
almost to the certainty of John Ohm
stead's millions. is
Miss Braddon was not little sur
prised, herself, and not especially we'll
satisfied. 1t had been rather dcsper-
ate leap with her eyes shut. The gal
lantry, intelligence and tincture of the
west about the man pleased her. The
rest was sacrifice for her father.
10 Braddon it was a thoroughly disa-
greeable surprise. He could read men
too well to be deceived, though he tried
hard to convince himself that il was
only, prejudice.
Its oil an old mans jealousy" he
frequently said to himself. IF Esther
loves him, what right have I to stand in
her way with any of my whims?"
He knew better than to hint at this
distrust to Esther, and silently sacri-
feed his own wishes to hers.
All three would have been doubly
surprised had the reality of each heart.
been readable.
In the secret of his closet Braddon be-
rated himself mercilessly that the right
man had not been introduced.
Its all my fault, yes, all of it," he
muttered; for he and John Olmstead
had instantly renewed their boyhood
friendship. They were like school
chums again for awhile, and only they
two knew why it was that after Robert
returned from college Braddon never
entered Olmstead's house again till he
came to the funeral.
II couldn't stand it, Jack. I'd make
fool of: myself if T met him. He's the
very picture of his mother" Braddon
said, and Olmstead understood. The
result was that Stanton knew Thaddeus
| Braddon only as everyone else knew
the brilliant, white-haired financier, as
''Braddon Of Braddon &, Burridge," and
had never spoken to him.
The old man knew the young lawyer
through and through, however. He
had sacrificed a lifetime to his love
for the boys mother, and the boy was
as like her as two drops of water from
the same spring. His interest in him
was something phenomenal, and when
Stanton began his rapid strides to-
| wards fame there was no mortal half so
proud of him as BradCon Of Braddon &
Burridge.
When alone with Esther he sometimes
dropped word about John Olmstead's
nephew, and for long she knew him by
| no other name. He did it with studied
carelessness, but in woman's eyes there
is microscopic lens for mental and
sentimental work passing all under
standing.
Before Braddon considered that his
daughter had heard Of the young man
often, enough even to have his existence
impressed upon her, she had come to
the conclusion that behind John Ohm
stead's nephew lay the secret why her
father had never married.
Once Esther thought to please her
father by suggesting that he bring the,
young lawyer home to dinner, but it
was. received with such unexpected OPP
position that it was never repeated.
Frequently and intensely Braddon
regretted that opposition. II was
fool. She took me by SURPRISE" he
would say to himself. He said it most
| vigorously after Richard Raymond
came into prominence. He even tried
to bring it about that Esther should
repeat the suggestion. She was never
before so slow of comprehension, but,
hint as he would, she never repeated it..
On the evening of the 5th of Decem-
Der, 1892, Braddon was late and hurry
ing home to dinner. One of the trustees
of the Olmstead estate, in passing him,
ItPOIleu luC ucPIlcN 1du
| forfeited his rights and that another
heir had filed his claim. It was merely
an item of news that might interest the
banker, as a good portion of John Ohm
stead's millions was held by Braddon &
Burridge.
| The two parted at once, and each
went his way, but the bankers cheeks
were flushed and his eyes flashed under
his white brows. His blood boiled in
spite, Of the years that should have
cooled it.
Its a regular Olmstead trick" he
muttered. Hes fool. No, he's not.
Confound him, respect him for it. I
believe his mother thought insulted
her BY throwing fortune in her face
and asking her to change her mind.
She said SO by marrying a poor farmer.
If I'd stayed poor believe she would
have; had me; but never saw it in that
Light till this minute. This is precisely
the same thing over again: Bless the
boy!" = $780,. .....:
| By the time he reached his home he
was sufficiently Gained to hide his ex-