Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1904-11-12
MILLY'S FORTUNE


~-vk comfort OitentlMeS runs III
g Nv . to danger. John Hardy
q AA proved the fact when, in
I0N m effort to escape the bus
tie of preparations for his aunt's Mrs.
Grahnm's) big party. he took tempt
ing wood path and came all nnawares
upon two 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" lie heard the
searcher say. plaintively. You know
the bracelets my mascot-Aunt Hell
Ell said so when she gave it to me
"A mighty poor mascot" Betty retort-
ed. "I'd throw it away rather than
wear it--rubbish thing. lis 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 ugly 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 triumph. turning quickly TO terror.
arrested him. Instantly he darted for
ward--,O see the mascot's owner up
right and rigid, staring at Il twig where
her bracelet hung Just above the head
Of a coiled and Kissing snake.
Glow ever shall l get it:' the girl
demanded. laying her hand appealingly
on his arm, while Betty looked on
aghast. Hardy smiled down at her.
made Il stroke or two with his stout
cane, flung away the writhing reptile,
then picked the bracelet out of its
green ambush and held it toward its
owner, saying easily. There, Miss
Norris. Now. I claim reward. You
are TO give me the first three waltZes
tonight
why, how do you know Millicent
Morris began, amazed.
Hardy looked at her with twinkling
eyes. You forget there is a speak
ing 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 or
unnatural protectors
"Then come home with us. Ask him,
Betty--Betty's head of the house, Mil
ly returned promptly. Hardy looked
entreaty at Betty, who answered it
Hospitality enough. Thus, five min
utes later he found himself walking
between the two into an adorable old
garden. and on a big, white silent
house, the very picture of res,fulness.
Yes. it is nice. | love it all-every
stick and stone and blade of grass"
NIilly said, when he exclaimed over
the charm of everything. That's the
trouble she went OH. II want TO
live here always, and Billy says when
we are married and settled down it
will be over there. He ought to have
Betty, not me. She likes things new
and gorgeous and well kept. II I had
my fortune | wouldn't change much
here only put sound posts in the gates
and plant orchards and-yes, and have
brand new rose garden that
shouldn't put our old flowers out of
| cOuntenance---"
Don't talk so, Milly. Mr.. Hardy
| will think you're ont of yonr head. She
does get little that way when you
start her OH her forture," Betty said
half severely. half alphabetically, the
last words. Of course, to Hardy. Fol
a minute he did not answer-he Wa:
staring intently at the cameo in tht
recovered bracelet. Let me look q
that. please" he said, holding out hi:
hand for it. The carving is--pecu
| liar-still, l seem to have seen it be
fore"
mo, you haven't" said Milly conf
IDENTIFY, but handing over the bauble
"There is just one more like it, ant
Aunt Helen had that. Her ship wen
down, with all OH board-that's why
haven't got my fortune. It's some
where, all in gold and jewels, but jus
where nobody knows or can find out
I'm named for her daughter that died
The bracelets We're carved for poo
Cousin Milly. She made the desisl
herself. See, it's star, and a new
moon, with flower dropping down
10. think of having everything yo
want and dyin" at twenty"
THAT is rather tragic Hardy ad
mitted. Then for five minutes b
studied the cameo closely, and at las
gave it back with a face pale and pre-
occupied. ltallying eallantly, h
talked brightly through an hour. Bu
once again in the woOdpath lie 81
down for 4 sturdy wrestle with hi
own soul. He lived over again III
day when the sea had cast mp treasul
at his feet He was alOne--it was Sc,
en- years back, after Il phenomens
storm. He had stood at the very ede
of the hungry breakers, watching thor
rave and roar, when it swept tumblin
in-the brass bound Oakcn chest, fl,
of gold and bankuoies and preciOr
stones. unset. many uncut. There ha
been no name. no mark anywhere
only at the very bottom of all. wrappc
in silk. bracelet. a slcnded hoop {
gold set with fanciful cameo. He la
half smiled over the pattern of it, eve
though he knew some heart TRACED
| lay back of ii.
| ua had not told nf his Iiul-SplrC