Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-11-07


think, and his hair was iron gray, ana
there was the saddest expression In
his black eyes.
without speaking word be stretch.
ed out one lean brown finger ana
touched the bracelet on my wrist. AT
the same time he raised his eyebrows
inquiringly. Well, I must confess there
were so much dignity and command IN
his manner that I found myself taking
refuge in French and explaining vol
ubly how I came by the bracelet.
"He listened closely and when
had finished held out his hand with
another commanding gesture. but still
he did not utter a sound" Madeline
paused and, taking the bracelet from
her fathers hand, slipped It over her
own round wrist.
Alexander FELTON, was watching her
with a lovers delight in her beauty
and charm. They had just become en-
gagged, these two. and the mystic car
net that FELTON, had brought out OF the
wiIds had witnessed their betrothal.
The others in the little party had been
quietly informed Of the delightful Sc
cret by Madeline's father. and as the
beautiful girl had become a favorite
among them ever since the big ship
had sailed from New York six weeks
before they rejoiced in her happiness
and that of the man who had wooed
her faithfully.
Madeline exchanged q swift glance
with her lover, and then her eyes drop
ped to the flligree bracelet shimmerfng
on her arm.
"Whaadid you do. Miss Trayle? Did
you rive him the braceletT asked Mrs
Hanford.
Eyes. of course I did. Who could
have resisted the commanding gesture
of his Land and the authority In his
eyes? I didn't dare do anything else.
I simply removed the bracelet and
gave 1t to him.
"Ie snatched It eagerly, pressed IL
to his lips and then examined the dell
cate work, nodding his head affirma-
lively as he seemed to recognize ev-
cry tracery Of leaf and blossom and
twig. Then he looked within the brace
lot, and all the light seemed to die out
of his countenance. Before that 1t
looked glowing, rs If q candle had been
lighted inside, If you know what l
mean. He suddenly looked old and
worn and very contemptuous as ne
dropped the bracelet back In my hand.
Then only did he speak, and. to my
surprise, he spoke in English.
"Tt is the wrong one, madam he
said. 4 crave a thousar 1 pardons.'
"'You have lost one lke itr I asked
him.
"My daughter wore 1t the day she
disappeared. I have never seen her
since he muttered, and, with q deep
bow, he disappeared just as father
came back.
"We talked 1t over that evening, and
I told father how closely the man had
examined the filigree bracelet and ap-
peared to recognize that It was not
the one he sought. So father produced
his magnifying glass, and we, too,
searched the inside Of the brac r!ct.
Hidden away on an obscure why twig
were tiny letters, enlightening Us as
to the reason for his contempt for my
bauble.
ut read Made In Germany and
pouf went all the pretty story of the
sultan's favorite."
"The sultan's favorite may have
been the daughter Of your dark eyed
stranger" remarked Miss Gray
thoughtfully.
"And your friends bracelet might
be the genuine article" added Arthur
Clayton rs they all arose and pre-,
pared to go below.
"I shall write to Emily Drake any
way and tel her to look inside her
bracelet for any Indications that hers
is the genuine filigree bracelet" de
elared Madeline, accepting Alexander
Felton's hand to assist her from her
seat on the carpet.
One by one the others bade good
night and strolled away until at last
there remained only Madeline and her
father anl Alexander FELTON,. Pro
fessor Trayle got up to go and, pass
Ing. leaned over and kissed his daugh
ter's cheek.
"In spite Of the fact that your brace
let was made in Germany my DEAR
he said quietly. "the peddler's legend
holds good, FOR IN marrying Alex, here
you are marrying the richest man In
the world
Madeline was startled. why, ia
ther. what do you mean" she asked
Alex will tell you," said the pro
fessor, and he slipped away and left
| them alone.
You will tell me" she pleaded as
his arm closed about her. What do
father mean"
"IIe meant that because you are
marrying me I am the richest man In
the world" said Alexander FELTON, ten
derly. And so the tradition Of the
flligree bracelet was fulfilled after all
| A Correction.
Tn tovn of such size that every