Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-06-08
MILLYS FORTUNE.

001 HOSO cravenly flies mere dis
WAW comfort oftentimes runs into
danger. John Hardy proved
the hustle of preparations for his
aunt's (Mrs. Grahams) big party, be
took tempting wood path and came
all unaware upon two very pretty girls.
One stood, the moral and pattern Of
Impotence; the other, half bent, was
and tangle of the pathside, now parting
it's 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, Betty he heard the
lsearcher say pla1Ibtvely. "You know
the bracelets my mascot-Aunt Helen
said SO when she gave 1T to me-
"A mighty poor mascot" Betty re
torted. ''I'd throw it away rather than
wear it-rubbishy thing. It's ten years
since you got it, and we are just the
ssame-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
TOR, arrested him. Instantly he darted
forward-to see the mascots owner
upright and rigid staring at a twig
where her bracelet hung just above the
head of a coiled and Kissing snake.
How ever shall I get it," the girl
demanded, laying her hand appealing
ly 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 CT it's
green ambush and held it towards it's
owner, saying easily, There Miss
Morris. Now 1 claim a reward. You
are to give me the first three waltzes
tonight"
''Why! How do you know?" Mill
cent Morris began, amazed.
Hardy looked at her with twinkling
eyes You forget there is speak
ing likeness of you over Billy era
hams mantel at Yale" he said. THAT
reminds 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
his Betty-Betty's head Of the house."
iMlly returned promptly Hardy looked
tentreaty at Betty, who answered 1t
Hospitality enough. Thus five minutes
later he found himself walking be-
garden, and on to a big, white silent
house, the very picture of restfulness
Yes, it is nice. 1 love it aH-every
stick and stone and blade of grass -
Nfilly 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 it will
have to be over there. He ought to
have Betty, not me. She likes things
new and gorgeous and we'll kept. If
1 had my fortune 1 wouldn't change
much here-only put sound posts to the
gates and plant orchards and-yes, and
have q brand-new rose garden that
shouldn't put our old flowers out of
4countenance-"
Don't talk SO, Milly. 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 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. '"The carving is
peculiar-still 1 seem to have seen 1t
before"
NO, you haven't" Milly said con-
fidently, but handing over the bauble-
There is just one more like it, and
Aunt Helen had that Her ship went
down, with all ON board-that's why I
haven't got my fortune. It's some
gwhere, all in gold and jewels, but just