Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-13
MISUNDERSTANDING
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
CHATTER /.
THE LOST BROTHER,

On the 10Th or September the Rev.
Granville Mason wrote from Liam
dudno to his younger brother, stu
dent at ST. Georges hospital, London:
Ny Dear Reggie don't know whether It is
that my temper becomes shorter as the end Of
my holiday draws near, but can't stand tas
plaos ct all It is full Of people, and the crowds
bother me. The weather is magnificent, which,
Of course, accounts for the fact that the numbers
OF the visitors have not yet begun to thin As
Sor my health, l don't know whether 1t is any
better; but, on the other hand l don't think It
v any worse. Ny cough is still rather trouble.
some 1t night. am q regular pale young
curate' now, and think rather resent the
Umpathettc glances the old ladies throw in my
direction. 1t is evident that they consider me
Interesting" distinction at which, to do me
Justice, you will own have never aimed.
think shall go on, staying a day or two at
Bettws,y- Coed. to South Wales, to get away from
the eternal camera and bicycle and from the
equally eternal young lady with the high pitched
voice and the novel which she carries about and
never reads. Yours, GRANNY.
On the Oath Of September the same
writer dated his letter from Aberyst-
with:
Dear Rsggss-This place Is better; not quite 80
full. On TIE Other hand. don't feel quite 80
well This + to be accounted for, however, by
the change in the weather, which Is now wet and
cold. have been out to the DEVILS bridge. but
am going to do something more interesting.
There are some much less frequented and wilder
regions to be explored In this part Of Wales than
up in the north, which is Hike Regent street.
Don't be surprised II you don't hear from me for
Z togtnight shall be on tramp. Yours,
GRANNY.
Reginald Mason, who was much
troubled about the health Of his broth
er, wrote OF to him at once on re-
ceipt of this letter begging him not to
be too venturesome and not to begin
exploring unknown tracts Of country
In weather SO unpropitious.
He got one more letter, dated Sept.
30, acknowledging his note of warning
and announcing that Granville had
put OF his expedition in Difference to
his brothers advice. The weather
having now changed for the better,
however, he intended to proceed with
out further delay.
he wrote In a robust and cheerful
tone, as il in the highest spirits over
his proposed excursion. He had got
hold Of an odd creature, he said;
wild, uncouth, redheaded son of the
mountains, who was going to act as
his guide and to coach him up in all
the old Welsh tales and superstitlons.
And then his brother heard no more.
At the end of one week Reginald was
curious; at the end of the second i'm
patient; after the lapse of third he
was anxious and worried. The
weather had grown bitterly cold for
the time of year. and already reports
had reached London of snow in the
mountains of Scotland and of heavy
letters to Aberystwith, addressed to
his brother, to the proprietor of the no.
tel where he had staid, to the chief of
polifa. But all without much result.
proprietor of the hotel wrote that
q Rev. Granville Mason had left the
on the morning Of Oct and had
taken the train with the intention, as
he stated, of alighting at Trecoed and
Of making q tour on foot from that
town among the points of interest in
the neighborhood.
The chief of police wrote that he had
heard of no accident Detailing any
traveller recently in the country. And
the letters Reginald had addressed to
his brother were returned to him.
Thoroughly alarmed, he determined
to go down into Wales himself and to
make inquiries, starting from the
small town of Trecoed. 1t was near
the middle of November when he ar
rived at the place and made direct for
the principal inn. Here, at the very
outset Of his researches, he came upon
the track of his brother. The inn
keeper nodded intelligently ut the first
questions put by Reginald Mason.
"a young clergyman, tall, thin, gray
eyes and brown hair? Yes, sir; he
was here for one night about FIVE
weeks ago. But can give you the
exact date by looking at my books,
and can show you his portmanteau.
suppose l am right, sir. in thinking
you are his brotherY'
why, what made you think that?
We are not supposed to be at all
alike"
mot in face. sir, but in voice. 1
could have recognized the voice any,
where, and that in spite of the way Of
speaking young clergymen always
have"
"And can you tell me where he went
70 from herer'
He was going to explore the coun-
try and make his way down gradually
to the south by the Black mountains
ar'the Neeth valley and along the
ahen up the Wye and
s.. hslgain to fetch his lug
ant come back here?"
r said he might and he
M, he didn't come, he was
to Dow where to send his lug
"And WAT was the date of that?"
asked Reginald Mason, whose anx-
Lefty was not much allayed by this in
telligence.
The landlord was looking through
his book.
1T was on the Sd of October that
he went away"
WAS he aloneY'
He was alone when he left the
house. but had warned him not to
cross the mountains without guide,
and he said he had engaged one."
"Ahl We can find him out, sup.
pose, without any trouble?"
But the landlord shook his head du.
biously.
Il don't know about that, sir. 1t
wasn't one Of our regular men. know
that 1t was some one he had met be-
fore he came here, near the Devils
bridge, understand, who had told him
lot of the local stories and legends
and had arranged to take him across
by Llyn Foel to Llandu."
did he mention his nameY'
"Well, he gay have done. sir, but If
30 I've forgo,-en it."
At this point of the conversation n