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

Smith put on his Sunday coat, forget
ting to transfer his papers from the old
one. While Mrs. Smith was working
upon It, the papers fell to the floor.
She picked them up and carefully laid
them in a drawer, where they remained
until Smith asked for them, several days
later. Looking them over. he discov-
cred the letter to Henry Milford.
Nov, that is too bad! must give
this to the first person that goes to town
today
1t chanced that the first person that
appeared was Charlie Bennett. To him
Smith went with the letter.
"Bennctt, wish you'd mail this for
me; it's been in my pocket a week
now"
Bennett took the letter. and, glancing
carolessly Mt II, recognized it as the very
letter given him by Clara three weeks
before.
Where did you get this9" he asked,
rather abruptly.
"Grey gave it to me to mail a week
ago. meant to give it to Harris, but
didn't see him. Then l thought I'd
mail it myself, and forgot it, Do you
know any thing about itP Ihope there's
no harm done"
"Oh, / guess it's all riglt. I only
asked because know the man to whom
it is addressed. I'll see that it is
mailed"
"Its shame!" said Bennett to him
self, "that l did not mail this when it
was first given to me. This is why
Clara has been looking so down-hearted
| for the last three weeks. Poor girl!
Well. it will soon be all right now"
The attempt to mail the letter was
this time successful, but it was not so
soon "all right as the brother had
prophesied.
The day before Clara Bennett had
given her letter to her brother, she had
received one signed, faithfully yours,
Henry Milford" and which, after an
avowal of love, had closed with these
words: "If you receive this with favor,
give me permission to come to you;
but if in your heart there is no response
to my words, silence is the only answer
l desire.''
Clara's answer was brief. 1t consist
ed of but one word: Come"
Henry Milford waited very patiently
for week, after sending his important
letter. But as day after day passed, and
no answer came. he considered his suit
as lost, and, i'm despair, concluded to
accept an invitation from an uncle to
visit him on his ranch, in California.
Robert Allison, an intimate friend, and
a young lawyer, had tried in vain to dis
suade him from this step; for he knew
no reason why Henry should become
moody and despondcnt all at once, and
throw up his hopes of business success
and promotion, and start off to Califor-
mia. But his arguments were unavail-
ing. Henry would go.
"Where shall forward your letters?"
asked Allison. as they shook hands at
the station.
"There'll be none to forward" was
the ungracious reply.
''But / shall want to write to YOU
myself Where shall l address youp''
''Tll write you after get settled"
was the surly answer.
Henry turned abruptly away and
stepped into the car. A second later,
he turned back, and grasping his
friends hand said, in husky voice:
Goodbye, old fellow, and forgive
my rudcness. l hardly know what am
saying, but won't forget that you have
been true friend to me in these dark
days"
''Good-bye," responded Allison, try
ing to speak in q CHEEKY tone. "You
are little bilious now, but the free life
of rancher, in the glorious climate of
Californy,' will bring you out all right
l shall expect glowing letters from you
soOn.3
II wonder what ails the failow?" he
| col; l.,x
AS he entered his boarding-house, the
servant girl met him in furry.
"Oh, Mr.. Allison" she exclaimed,
"here's letter for Mr. Milford. Can't
you get to him before he goes awayP"
Hes already gone, Jennie, but I'll
send it to him
Weeks passed, and Henry Milford
seemed in no hurry to fulfill his promise
OF writing. When the letter did come,
it was breezy one, telling of their hap
py, unconventional life, but contained
no word about himself. 1t closed with
these significant words:
'You need mention me to none of my
friends. have done with civilization. :"
You may be sure that Allison lost no
time in replying. The envelope in
which he inclosed both his reply and the
dainty letter of the unknown. bore
across one end the words: ''If not
called for in ten days, return to Robert
Allison, attorney-at-law, = Park Row,
New York"