The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-12-01

In1nd, Dut II soon became one OF the
most important factors of Wall street.
To him that had was given, and Brad
dun's wealth and influence constantly
increased.
Esther developed into one of the rare
and beautiful victories which the east
won, and took a position in society
fully up to her proud fathers ideal.
She was so important in her home and
SO enthusiastic in reform and philan-
thropic societies that she might never
have thought of marrying at all had not
her father occasionally dropped some
suggestion about the necessity of some
one to lift the cares of home and bust
ness gradually from his aging shoul-
ders.
He spoke carelessly, at the best, with
a vague thought, in general way, OF
John Olmstead's nephew; but his words
made such an impression on his loving
daughter that in time she came to con-
slider the selection of husband as the
most imperative necessity of her life.
Under such circumstances the selec-
ton was no easy matter. Human nature
repelled her from each offer as it would
NOT have done had she been free. She
had become vindictive with herself for
being so critical aad keeping her father
so long without the helping hand which
he had asked her to provide, when, by
the luck which seems to follow some
men, Richard Raymond appeared upon
ths scene.
lie c'me out of the west to watch the
last months of that tine-limit safely
expire He smeIled thu halt of wealth
behind the helress, and for incidental
occupati ton he plotted what he or any
one would doubtless have pronounced G.
fated game.
He had nothing to lose, and, with the
barest possibility, why should he not
have ventured? 1t was beyond doubt
that this time he was free to take a
wife, and it was 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
pective heir to Thaddeus Braddon's
wealth. to add to what now amounted
almost to the certainty of John Ohm
stead's millions.
Miss Braddon was not little sur
prised, herself, and not especially we'll
satisfied. 1t had been rather desper-
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.
To Braddon it was thoroughly disa-
greeable surprise. He could read men
too well to be deceived, though he tried
hard to convince himself that it was
only prejudice.
"It's all an old mans jealousy" he
frequently said to himself. eff 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.
"It's 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.
81 couldn't stand it, Jack. I'd make
a fool of myself if l 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 voting 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 Braddon 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 a 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. Il 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-
ber, 1892, Braddon was late and hurry