Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-10-22
Il ordered it sent on to Switzer

why didn't you bring it with you'''
asked Miss Grey.
| ..Never thought of it, assure you. 1t
would ave been the easiest thing in the
world, now wouldn't it? But it never
entered my 'ead. Thought we had to or
der letters forwarded. Believe I'd for
warded my own if there'd been any
there"
ITO what place in Switzerland did you
order it p" asked Milford.
81 think it was Zurich. and We'll hurry
forward and overtake it."
| But Milford would not consent to short
en- the stay in Florence on account of a
mythical letter. and manifested no more
anxiety in regard to it. But Mr.. Haw
| thorne had secret anxiety concerning
| that very letter. He was not so sure that
he had ordered it to Zurich, and the more
he thought of it the less certain he be-
came. These fears proved we'll ground
ed. The letter was not at Zurich, and the
consul was sure it had never been there.
Mr.. Hawthorne grieved so over its loss
that Milford could bear him no i'll will.
Father, said the son of the consul at
Carlsrube one day, "this letter has been
here so long that don't believe it will
be called for. Would it not be we'll to
return 1t to the writera 1t is addressed
to Henry Milford, and is TO be returned to
Robert Allison, New York"
Papa" exclaimed the Youngest
daughter of the consul. that must be the
Mr. Milford we met in Zurich You know
he told US of letter that had gone
astray somewhere"
eyes, | remember it. They were 60
ing from Zurich to Paris. Well send it
there "
But Hawthorne did not 90 to Paris. He
had long walk with Miss Grey one after
noon and decided to 90 at once to "Ert.
fordshire, Hengland." and prepare Hwy
Lodge for new mistress, a charming
American girl, who would brighten up
its ancient halls. and add new beauty to
its many attractions. And Milford must
90. TOO, and remain until Mr.. Hawthorne
mad been legally transferred 10 the care Of
Mrs. Hawthorne. So. one day, at Mrs.
Winthrop's quiet home in Camberwell the
transfer took place, and the bride and
groom departed. with smiles and tears,
for their home at Ivy Lodge. Then Mil
ford lelt himself honorably released from
his duties as travelling companion.
Three days after, he sailed for America.
One morning in September, Robert
Allison found among his letters, one add
dressed in his own hand to Henry Milford,
and returned to him as the writer thereof.
1t bore marks of travel, in tringed edges
and innumerable postmarks, legible and
illegible While still examining it, and
endeavoring to decipher the many legends
it bore. hearty voice broke in upon his
occupation:
Wei, old fellow, how are you after
so long a timer"
Hal Milford" exclaimed Allison,
''where under the sun have you come
from, and how is it that this letter has
come back to me?"
Bewildered, Milford gazed at the letter,
and catching sight of his name, he seized
it, and, in his turn, began to scan its
interior
Can this be the letter that have been
playing tag withp When did you write
itp Did you send it to Viennap"
AS he spoke, he tore open the end, and
out tell the letter that had been to
Yokohama and back.
And, not waiting for reply, he hastily
tore that open also, and Clara's long de-
layed missive lay in his hand.
Where did YOU get this? he asked,
urning almost fiercelv upon his friend.
at came for you the day you lett for
California. AS soon as you sent your adj
dress, forwarded it to you. 1t came
back to me from Yokohama This is all
know about it,"
With trembling fingers and blazing
eyes Milford opened the letter. Only one
word met his gaze, the one word
Come" signed CLARA" For moment
his head swan and backness came before
his eyes Then, recovering himself, he
said:
Pardon me, Rob. have had severe
blow. | am stunned. Let me 90 away.
| will see you again as soon as | feel
better"
The letter had reached its destination
after more than two years of travel by
land and sea, in the old world and the
new. 1t is necessary to follow it farther
At quiet wedding party few months
later, the bridegroom said to his best man,
"1o on cheated me out of two years OF
happiness, Charlie"
But gave you year of foreign travel
at the expense of some one else. You
ought to thank. instead of blaming. me-"
Milford glanced at Clara as ne
answered:
81 tt ank the postal system that made
your carelessness insufficient to wreck nv
happiness. 1.-THE Cosmopolitan.