Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-07-13
Mi / VS.
>, FORTUNE
MARTHA M'CULLOCH.WILLIAMS
MARTHA M'CULLOCH.WILLIAMS
Copyright, 1908,
BY Martha McCtlllOch- Williams

Hardy proved the fact when in an ef
fort to escape the hustle Of prepare
tons for his aunt, Mrs. Graham's BIZ
party, he took tempting wood patl
and came all unawares upon two very
pretty girls. One stood. the moral ant
pattern of impotence; the other, hall
bent, was eagerly searching through
the grass and tangle of the pathside
now parting its greenery with two slim
white hands. now letting the hands fal
at her side. while she stopped lower
pecrins at some small, bare space
Il can't come, Hettyr' he heard tAe
scarcher say plaintively. You know
the bracelets my mascot. Aunt Heller
said so when she gave it to me-"
"a mighty poor mascot" Betty re-
tortcd. I'D throw it away rather than
Wear il rubbish thing. It's ten years
since you got it. and we are just the
same-poor us church mice, yet bound
to live up to the Norris name. Besides,
nothing but bad luck could hang about
that little old ugly cameo"
Hardy drew back embarrassed. Evil
IDENTITY he was hearing things not
meant for stranger ears. He was on
the point Of running away when cry
of triumph. turning quickly to terror,
arrested hin. Instantly he darted for
ward. to see the mascot's owner up
right and rigid staring at twig where
her bracelet hung just above the head
Of u cOiled and Kissing snake.
How ever shall l get it?" the girl
demanded. laying her hand appealingl!
on his arm. while Betty looked OH
aghast. Hardy smiled down at her.
made stroke or two with his stout
cane, flung away the writing reptile,
then picked the bracelet out of its
green ambush and held 1t toward it,
owner. saying easily: There, Miss
Morris. Now l claim a reward. You
are to give me the first three waltzes
tonight"
"Why? How do you known Mill
cent Morris began. amazed.
Hardy looked at her with twinkling
eyes. You forget there Is q speaking
likeness of you over Billy Graham's
mantel ut Yale" he said THAT re-
minds me-Billy's my cOusin-Im John
Hardy, at your service-and just now |
seeking asylum from my natural or
unnatural protectors"
Then come home with us. Ask him,
Betty. Bctty's head OF the house."
Mllly returned promptly. Hardy look
ed entreaty ut Betty. who answered
1t Hospitality enough. Thus five min
utes later he found himself walking
between the two into an adorable old
garden and OH to IL big. white. silent
house. the very picture Of restfulness
Yes. 1t is nice. love 1t all-every
stick and stone and blade Of grass"
'Iilly said when he exclaimed over the
harm Of everything. That's the
rouble" she went on. Il want to
I've here always, and Billy says when
vc are married and settled down 1t
will have TO be over there. He ought
o have Betty. not me. She likes
hings new and gorgeous and wSll
ept. If had my fortune wouldn't
hange much here-Only put sound
osts to the gates and plant orchards
nd-yes. and have a brand new rose
arden that shouldn't put our old flow
rs out of Countenance."
Don't talk so. Milly. Mr.. Hardy
ill think you're out of your head She 1
oes get IL little that way when you
tart her OH her fortune" Betty said.
alf severely, half apologetically. the
Isl words of course to Hardy. For
linute he did not answer He was
taring intently at the cameo In the ,
bracelet. Let me look at Y
lat. please" he said. holding out his I
and for it. 1.-THE carving is peculiar: a
i'll | seem TO have seen ii before" n
No. you haven't" Milly said con- {
iently. but handing over the bautie I
There is just one more like Ii. and n
unit Helen bad that Her ship went n
'wn with all on board That's why ! Il
went got my fortune. It's some b
here. all in gold and jewels. but just v
here nobody knows or can find out h
n named for her daughter that died d
IL bracelets were carved for poor n
,usin Milly. She made the design II
rSelf. See. It's star and new q
Don. with II flower dropping down. al
think of having everything you m
mt and dying at twenty" m
1T is rather tragic" Hardy admit Fl
l. Then for five minutes he studied "a
= cameo closely and at last gave ii
Ok. with Il face pale and preOccupicd
flying sallantly. he talked brightly .,
'ough half I'M hour. But once again
the wOOdpath he sat down for a
lrdy wreste with his own soul. He A.,
ed over again the day when the sea ~,
u cast up treasure ut his feet. He !.
y alone II was seven years back,
er Il phenomenal storm. He had -.
cd nj the very edge Of the hungry =
'akerS watching them rave and roar 10
on II swept tumbling in-the brass g.
ina oaken chest. full Of gold and 90
Tx notes and precious stones. unset. A..
ny uncut There had been no name. A.,
mark. anywhere. Only at the very a,'
tom Of all. wrapped in silk, brace o.,
slender hoop of gold set with au
ciful cameo. He had half smiled It,
r the pattern Of it, even though he 49,.
w some heart tragedy lay buck OF ~. an
He had not told of his iind-searcb ,|
owners Of such treasure trovc seem III,
so hopeless. He had meant to ask ~.
uncles advice and be governed by ,,a
Then that very night came the dis. o,,.
ch-the good uncle was dead and A.,
rdy his sole heir. Altogether fate 90
med bent OH forcing him to keep t,o
at he had found He had kept 1t. eli,
'unting for Ills change Of estate by snr
Tie story of Inheritance greater than mo
lad had the right to expect. for
Dw he knew where the bulk OF his ha