The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-11-16
MILLY'S FORTUNE


q M @ to danger. John Hardy
\ proved the fact when, in
|oN an effort to escape the bus
lie IF preparations for his aunt's (N1rs.
fraham's) big party, he took 4 tempt
ng wood patti and came all unawareS
hpon two pretty girls. One stood, the
moral and pattern Of Impotence; the
btl:ar, half bent, was eagerly searching
through the grass and tangle Of the
bat!iside, now parting it's Greenery
with two slim white hands, now letting
the hands fall at her side, while she
$tooped lower, peering at some small,
bare space.
Il can't come, BettyT" lie heard the
$eaccher say, plaintively. "You know
he bracelets my mascot-Aunt Hell
Ee said so when she gave it to me"
a mighty poor mascot" Betty retort-
kd. I'D throw it away rather than
Eear it-rubbish thing. lis ten years
Since you got it, and we are just the
%$anlevpoor as church mice, yet bound
10 live up to the Morris nalre Besides,
nothing but bad luck could hang about
that little ugly cameo"
Hardy drew back embarrassed. Evi-
fently Ire was hearing things not meant
for stranger ears. He was on the
bo;nt Of running away, when 4 cry
!3f triumph, turning quickly to terror,
RrreSted him. Instantly he darted for
3ward-to see the mascot's owner up
light and rigid, staring at a twig where
her bracelet hung just above the head
be a coiled and kissing snake.
How ever shall I get it," the girl
demanded, laying her hand %appealinsly
$u his arm, while Betty looked on
kghast. Hardy smiled down at her.
made a stroke or two with his stout
fane, flung away the writhing reptile,
then picked the bracelet out Of its
Eceen ambush and held it toward its
Swner, saying easily, There, Miss
Morris. Now, I claim q reward. You
re to give me the first three waitzes
Ro-night."
Why, how do you know" MilEcent
Norris began, amazed.
Hardy looked at her with twinkling
kyes. "You forget there is 4 speak
$uG likeness of you over Billy Graham's
&nantel at YALE" he said. THAT re-
binds me-Billy's my cousin-I'm John
Hardy at your service-and just now
Decking asylum from my natural or
unnatural protectors"
Then come home with us. Ask him,
$et.y-Betty's head of the house." Mil
IS returned promptly. Hardy looked
kntreaty at Betty, who answered it
be Suitably enough. Thus, Eve min
ties later he found himself walking
Between the two into an adorable old
Garden, and on a big, white silent
house, the very picture of restfulness.
"Yes, it is nice. I love it all-every
&ticl and stone and blade of grass"
k1iliy said, when he exclaimed over
he charm Of everything. That's the
rouble," she went on. Il want to
We here always, and Billy says when
he are married and settled down it
Fill be over there. He ought to have
Betty, not me. She likes things new
MI gorgeous and we'll kept. If I had
by fortune I wouldn't change much
! ere-only put sound posts in the gates
md plant orchards and-yes, and have
s. brand new rose garden that
5houldn't put our Old flowers out Of
ountenance-"
Don't talk so, Milly. Mr.. Hardy
Eill think you're out of your head. She
Roes get a little that way when you
tart her on her fortune" Betty said,
! alf severely, half alphabetically. the
hst words, of course, to Hardy. For
minute he did not answer-he was
taring intently at the M in the
Il covered bracelet. 'Let me look at
Mat, please" he said. holding out his
Hand for it. THE carving is-pecu-
&ur-still, I seem to have seen it be-
81 ure.''
No, you haven't" said Mtlly conf
entity, but handing over the bauble.
There is just one more like it. and
&unt Helen lad that. Her ship went
own, with all on board-that's why
a haven't got my fortune. It's some
where, all in gold and jewels, but just
there nobody knows or can find out,
In named for Ter daughter that died,
j the bracelets We're carved for POOR
$ousin Milly. She made the design
8erself. See, it's a star, and 4 new
noon, with a flower dropping down,
10 think Of having everything you
FAINT and dying at twenty"
That is rather tragic" Hardy ad'
Knitted. Then for five minutes he
tudied the cameo closely, and at last
have it back with a face pale and pre-
occupied. Rallying CALAMITY, he
kalked brightly through an hour. But
nee again in the woodpath he sal
lown for a sturdy wrestle with his
&wr scul. Hr lived over again the
i lay when t1e sea had cast UP treasure
u hss foot M wss alone II was soy