The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-06-23
MILLYS FORTUNE.

70y7 HoS0 cravenly files mere dis-
WAW comfort oftentimes runs into
danger. John Hardy proved
the fact when, In an effort tO escape
the hustle of preparations for his
aunts (Mrs. Graham's big party, he
took tempting wood path and came
all unaware upon two very pretty girls.
One stood, the moral and pattern OF
lmpatienee; the other, half bent, was
eagerly searching through the grass
and tangle of the pathslde, now parting
Its greenery with two slim white
hands. now letting the hands fall at
her side. while she stopped lower, peer
Ing at some small, bare space.
Il can't come. BettyW he heard the
searcher say plaindvely. "You know
the bracelets my mascot-Aunt Helen
said 80 when she gave 1t to me-"
"A mighty poor mascot" Betty re-
torted "Fd throw 1t away rather than
wear it--rubbishy thing. It's ten years
since you got 1t, and we are just the
same-poor as church mice-yet bound
to live up to the Morris name. Be
sides nothing but bad luck could hang
about this little old ugly cameo"
Hardy drew back embarrassed.
Evidently he was hearing things not
meant for stranger ears. He was on
the point of running away when a
cry of triumph, turning quickly to ter
ror. arrested him. Instantly he darted
forward-to see the mascOt's owner
upright and rigid, staring at a twig
where her bracelet hung just above the
head of a cooled and kissing snake.
How ever shall get itT the girl
demanded, laying her hand appealing
ly 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 the bracelet out of Its
green ambush and held 1t towards its
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 knowT' Mill
cent Morris began, amazed.
Hardy looked at her with twinkllng
eyes. "You forget there is q speak
Ing likeness Of you over Billy Gra.
hams mantel at YALE" he said. That
reminds me-Bllly's my cousln-I'm
John Hardy at your service-and just
now seeking asylum from my natural
or unnatural protectors"
"Then come home with US. Ask
Ills Betty-Betty's head of the house."
Milly returned promptly. Hardy looked
entreaty at Betty, who answered it
Hospitality enough. Thus Ave minutes
later he found himself walking be-
tween the two into an adorable old
garden, and on 10 big, white silent
house, the very picture of restfulness.
Yes, 1t is nice. love 1t all--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. II want 10 live
here always, and Billy says when we
are married and settled down 1t will
have to be over there. He ought to
have Betty, not me. She likes things
new and gorgeous and well kept II
had my fortune wouldn't change
much here-only put sound posts to the
gates and plant orchards and--yea, and
have a brand-new rose garden that
shouldn't put our old flowers out of
countenance-"
Don't talk 30, Mlly. Mr.. Hardy
will think you're out Of your head.
She does got little that way when
you start her on her fortune" Betty
said, half severely, half apologetically.
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 1t. "The carving isl
pecullar-still l seem to have seen It
before"
"NO, you haven't" AIilly said con-
idently, but handing over the bauble.
There Is just one more like 1t, and
Aunt Helen had that. Her ship went
down, with all on board-that's 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 Mlly. She made the design
herself. See. it's star, and a new
moon, with a flower dropping down.
To think of having everything you
want and dying at twenty"
"It is rather tragic" Hardy admit
ted. Then for ave minutes he studied
the cameo closely, and at last gave It
back with face pale and preoccupled.
Rallying. calamity, he talked brightly
through half an hour. But once again
in the woodpath he sat down for a
sturdy vrestls with his own soul. He