Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-11-10
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MILLy'S FORTUNE



9 M . TO Gangpr John uardy
N J proved the fact when, iii
ION an EFFORT tO escape the bus
tie Of prepare ,ions for his aunt'S tMES.
Graham's, biz party. he took tempt.
ing wood path and came all unawarcS
upon two pretty girls. one stood, the
moral and pattern Of impatience: the
other, half bent. was eagerly searching
through the grass and tangie of the
pathside, now parting its greencry
with two slim white hands, now letting
the hands fall ut her side, while she
stopped lower, peering ut some small,
bare space.
Il cant come Betty lie heard the
searcher say, plHintiy"iy. 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--rIlbbSh thing. It's ten years
since YOU got il! 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 Eri.
dently he was hearing things not meant
for stranger ears. He was on the
point Of running away, when Il cry
of triumph, turning quickly to terror,
arrested him. Instantly he darted for
ward-tO see the maSCOtS owner up
right and rigid, staring at a twis where
her bracelet hung just above the head
of a coiled and kissing snake.
How ever shall get ;t?' the girl
demanded, laying her hand appealngly
on his arm, while Betty looked on
aghaSt Hardy smiled down at her.
made stroke or two with his stout
cane flung away the writhjng reptile,
then picked the bracelet ont of its
green ambush and held II toward its
owner, saying easily, There, Miss
Morris Now, claim reward. You
are to give mc the first three waltzes
Tonight"
why, low do You know Milicent
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--Im John
Hardy at Your seryiCe-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.
~ returned promptly. Hardy looked
cntrcaty at Betty who answered it
Hospitality enough. Thus. five min-
,ltes later he found himself walking
between the two into an adorable old
garden. and on a big, white silent
house, the very picture of restfulness.
'Yes, it is nice. | love it 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 it
will be over there. lie 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 in the gates
and plant orchards and-yes, and have
brand new rose garden that
shouldn't put our old flowers out Of
COuntcnancc----'
Don't talk so. MilIy. Mr.. Hardy
will think you're ont 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 intcnt!y at the cameo in the
recovered bracelet. Let me look at
that please" he said. holding out his
hand for it, The carving iS.-pccu-
llar-Still, | seem to have seen it be-
fore"
NO, you haven't" said Milly conf.
IDENTITY, but handing over the bauble.
"Therc 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.
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 were carved for poor