Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1904-09-30
MORNING, SEPTEMBER 30 1904
MILLY'S
:, FORTUNE
MARTHA NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Copyright, 1908,
bp Martha Me Culloch- W Altams

huiuy pioNcu the luCt WuSh III uu Sl-
fort to escape the hustle of prepare
lions for his aunt, 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
now parting Its greenery with two slim
white hands, now letting the hands fall
at her side, while she stopped lower,
peerlng at some small, bare space.
81 can't come, Bettyp he heard the
searcher say plaintively. You know
the bracelets my mascot. Aunt Helen
said 80 when she gave 1t to me-"
"a mighty poor mascot" Betty re-
torted. I'D throw 1t away rather than
wear it-rubbish 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. Besides,
nothing but bad luck could hang about
that little old ugly cameo"
Hardy drew back embarrassed. Evi-
IDENTIFY 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 him. 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
nj "a nntla1 unh hIaain1 anaka
How ever shall get itT the girl
demanded, laying her hand appealingly
on his arm, while Betty looked on
aghast. Hardy smiled down at her,
made stroke or two with his stout
cane, flung away the writhing reptile,
then picked the bracelet out of its
green ambush and held 1t toward It's
owner. saying easily: There, Miss
Morris. Now | claim a reward. You
are to give me the first three waltzes
tonight"
"Whyf How do you known Mill
cent Morris began, amazed.
Hardy looked at her with twinkllng
eyes. "You forget there Is a speaking
likeness OF you over Billy Graham's
mantel at Yale" he said. THAT re-
minds me-Billy's my cousin--I'm John
Hardy, at your service-and just now
seeking asylum from my natural OF
unnatural protectors"
"rhen come home with us. Ask him
Betty. Betty's head Of the house.
Milly returned promptly. Hardy look
ed entreaty at Betty, who answered
II Hospitality enough. Thus Ave min
utes 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.
yes, II In nice | love II 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 to
live here always, and Billy says when
we are married and settled down II
will have TO be over there. He ought
to have Betty, not me. She likes
things new and gorgeous and well
kept If had my fortune | 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 flow
ers out OF countenance."
"Don't talk 30, Mllly. Mr.. Hardy
will think you're out Of your head. She
does get little that way when you
start her on her fortune" Betty said.
half severely, half apologetically, the
last words Of course to Hardy. For
staring lntently ut the cameo In the
recovered bracelet Let me look at
that, please" he said. holding out his
hand for It. "The carving ~ peculiar;
still seem to have seen 1t before"
No, you haven't" Milly said con
fidently, but handing over the bauble
There ls Just one more like II, 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 Mllly She made the design
herself See, it's star and 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 i've minutes he studied
the cameo closely aud at last gave II
back. with face pale and preoccupied.
Rallying CALAMITY. he talked brightly
through half an hour. But once again
In the wOodpath he sat down for n
sturdy wrestle with his own soul. He
lived over again the day when the sea
bad cast up treasure at his feet. He
was alOne-lt was seven years back,
after phenomenal storm. lie had
stood at the very edge Of the hungry
breakers watching them rave and roar
when II swept tumbling in-the brass
bound Oaken chest, full OF gold and
bank notes and precious stones. unset.
many uncut. There had been no name,
no mark, anywhere. Only at the very
bottom Of all, wrapped In silk, a brace
let, a slender hoop OF gold set with a
Tanclful cameo. He had half smiled
over the pattern OF II, even though he
knew some heart tragedy lay back OF
1t. He had not told OF his nnd--sea rch
for owners Of such treasure troye seem
ed 10 hopeless He had meant TO ask
his uncle's advice and be governed by
II. Then that very night came the dis,
Datch-the good uncle was dead and