The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-08
MILLY'S FORTUNE.

Whose cravenly flies mere discomfort
oftentimes runs into danger. John
Hardy proved the fact when, in an effort
to escape the hustle of preparations for
his aunt's (Mrs. Graham's) big party
he took tempting wood path and came
all unawares upon two very pretty girls.
One stood, the moral and pattern of
impatience; the other, half 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 fall at her side,
while she stopped lower, peering at
some small, bare space.
Il can't come Betty" he heard the
searcher say plaintively. You know
the bracelets my mascot-Aunt Helen
said so when she gave it to me
"A mighty poor mascot" Betty re-
torted. I'D throw it away rather than
wear it-rubbish thing. It's ten years
since you got it, and we are just the
same-poor as church mice, yet bound
to live up to the Morris name. Besides
nothing but bad luck could hang about
that little old ulgy cameo
Hardy drew back embarrassed. Evil
IDENTIFY he was hearing things not meant
for stranger ears. He was on the point
of running away when cry of tr1-
amph, turning quickly to terror, arrest
ed him Instantly he darted forward
rigid, staring at a twig where her brace
let hung just above the head of a coiled
and Kissing snake.
How ever shall I get it?" the girl
demand, laying her hand appealingly on
his arm while Betty looked on aghast.
Hardy smiled down at her. made a
stroke or two with his stout cane, flung
away the writhing reptile, then picked
and held it toward it's owner, saying
easily, There, Miss Morris. Now
claim reward. You are to give me
the first three waltzes tonight"
why! How do you know" Milieent
Morris began, amazed.
Hardy looked at her with twinkling
eyes. You forget there is speaking
likeness of you over Billy Grahams
mantel at Yale" he said THAT re-
minds me-Billy's my eousin-Im John
Hardy at your service-and just now
seeking asylum from my natural or un-
natural protectors"
Then come home with us Ask him,
Betty-Betty's head of the house."
Milly returned promptly. Hardy looked
entreaty at Betty, who answered it hos
pitably enough Thus five minutes later
he found himself walking between the
two into an adorable old garden. and
on to big, white silent house, the very
picture of restfulness.
Eyes, it is nice. I love it alI-every
stick and stone and blade of grass"
Milly said when he exclaimed over the
charm of everything. That's the
trouble she went on Il want to live
here always. and Billy says when we
are married and settled down it will
have to be over there. He ought to
have Betty. not me- She likes things
new and gorgeous and well kept. If I
had my fortune I wouldn't change
much here-only put sound posts to the
gates and plant orchards. and-yes. and
have a brand new rose garden that
shouldn't put our old flowers out of
countenaace@'
Don't talk so. MilIy. Mr. Hardy will
think you're out of your head. She
start her on her fortune" Betty said
half severely. half alphabetically, the
last words. Of course, to Hardy. For
a minute he did not ansWer-he was
staring intently at the cameo in the
recovered bracelet Let me look at
that. please" he said, holding out his
hand for it. 1.-The carving is-Deculiar
still I seem to have seen it before
mo, you haven't" Milly said conf
IDENTIFY, but handing over the baubIe
There is just one more like it. and
Aunt Helen had that. Her ship went
down, with all on board-thats why /
haven't got my fortune. It's some
where, all in gold and jewels, but just
where nobody knows or can find out.
I'm named for her daughter that died
The bracelets We're carved for poor
Cousin MIlly. She made the design her
self. See, it's a star, and a new moon,
with a flower dropping down To think
of having everything you want and dy
ing at 90
ut is rather tragic Hardy admitted.
Then for five minutes he studied the
cameo closely, and at last gave it back
with a face pale and preoccupied. Raj
lying, gallantly, he talked brightly
through half an hour. But once again
in the woodpath he sat down for a
sturdy wrestle with his own soul. He
lived over again the day when the sea
had cast up treasure at his feet. lie
was alone-it was seven years back,
after phenomenal storm. He had
stood at the very edge of the hungry