The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1886-07-31

"Father," said the son of the consul
at Carlsruhe one day, "this letter has
been here so long that don't believe IL
will be called for. Would it not be well
to return it to the writerp It is ad.
dressed to Henry Milford, and Is to be
returned to Robert Allison, New York.
"Pnpa," exclaimed the youngest
daughter of the consul, "that must be
the MIR. Milford we met in Zurich. You
know hc told us of a letter that had gone
astrav somewhere
"Ycs, remember 1t. They were
going from Zurich to Paris. Well
send It there"
But Hawthorne did not go to Paris.
He had a long walk with Miss Grey one
afternoon and decided to go ut once to
Ertfordshirc, Hcngland," and prepare
"Hivy Lodge" for new mistress, a
charming American girl, who would
brighten up its many ancient halls, and
add new beauty to its many atrac-
tions. And Milford must go, too, and
remain until Mr.. Hawthorne had been
legally transferred to the care of Mrs.
Hawthorne. So, one day. at Miss Win
throp's quiet home in Camberwcll, the
transfer took place, and the bride and
groom departed, with smiles and tears,
| for their home ut Ivy Lodge. Then
Milford felt himself honorably released
from his duties rs travelling companion.
Three days after he sailed for America.
".
One morning in September, Robert
Allison found, among his letters, one
addressed in his own hand to Henry
Milford. and returned to him rs the
writer thereof. 1t bore marks of travel,
and frayed edges and innumcrable post.
marks, leSible and illegible. While
still examining it and endeavoring to
decipher the many legends it bore. q
hearty voice broke in upon his occupa.
ton:
"Well, old fellow, how are you after
so long n time?'
HAL Milfordr' exclaimed Allison
''where under the sun have you come
from, and how is it that this letter ha:
come back to me?'
Bewildercd, Milford gazed at the
letter, and then, catching sight of hi
name, he, seized it, and, in his turn
began to scan its exterior.
''Can this be the letter that l have
been playing tag withp When did yo,
write itp Did you send it to Viennap'
As he spoke, he tore open the end
and out fell the letter that had been t,
Yokohama and back
"What is this?' he exclaimed.
And, not waiting for a reply, he hast
lily tore that open also, and Clara long
delayed missive lay in his hand.
"Whcre did you get thisPn he asked
turning almost fiercely upon his friend
'It came for you the day you left TO
California. AS soon as you sent you
address, forwarded it to you. 1t cam
back to me from Yokohama That i
all know about it."
With trembling fingers and blazin,
one word met his gaze, the one wor,
"Come," signed "Clara." For mo
ment his head swan and blackness cam
before his eyes. Then, recovering him
self, he said:
"Pardon me, Rob. l have had a sc
we're blow. l am stunned. Let me g
away. l will see you again as soon a
feel better.".
The letter had reached its destination
after more than two years of travel b
land and sea, in the old world and til
new. Is it necessary to follow it far
ther?
At n quiet wedding party q few month
later the bridegroom said to his bes
man: "You cheated me out of two year
of happiness, Charlie.
"But | gave you year of foreigl
travel at the expense of some one ell q
You ought to thank, instead of blaming
me-"
Milford glanced at Clara as he an
swered:
I thank the postal system that mad
your carelcssness insufficient to wrcc
my lifelong happiness. ."-CoSmopolitan