Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-04-02

II was that Of q Welsh town. Ivor had
been to Wales. It was so kind Of him
to accompany home the remains OF his
brother soldier. But this was some
thing vital. She knew he had NO rela-
tives, no friends, in Wales. There was
a girls letter to him from there! She
assumed that II was girls.
She watched her brother furtively
when he got It. His look, the prompt
ness with which he withdrew, leaving
his breakfast almost untasted (that
was a very significant confirmation OF
her fears, for Ivor was as regular and
hearty in his feeding as a farm AMI
mall, was strong confirmation OF her
fears.
She did not see him until the after
noon. Then he came to her In her sit
ting room and told her that he must
70. Where? He was undecided. Just
going. First to Wales. Some business
called for his presence there. After
ward? Well, he might 60 to the States.
He had never been there. Why not?
"Ivor," said Lady Thorndyke, has
that girls letter got anything to do
with thisY'
She spoke pleadingly and drew close
to him. looking up into his eyes with
an almost yearning affection.
He regarded her moment rejecting
". Then he took her dainty face be-
tween his large, strong hands and said
feelingly: "Lettie, you are good little
sister. It had everything to do with It.
It was from the girl, the woman who
will be my wife II ever have one. She
wrote to tell me goodby, and she has
gone-I don't know where"
what Is the matter with the girl"
cried Lady ThOrndyke. with quick In
dignation. Doesn't she love you"
"Yes." replied Ivor slowly. "she does.
She told me so. What this trouble is
do not know. If. l can find her, I shall.
II l don't-well. won't be the first
man in the world who has had to do
the best he can with blasted life,
Lettie. Goodby, dear"
Ivor Wareham could gather no in
king Of where Gwylm Gwent had gone
when he got to the little village In
Wales. His daughter had accompanied
him. They had sold the cottage and
the furniture and taken all the other
things with them. They evidently
81
days ago. They had stolen away as II
they did not wish to be questioned.
Wareham's inquiries as to whether the
old man could have got into trouble
from which he was flying was dis
claimed by everybody with vigor that
gladdened yet mystiied him. Since bis
wife's death the old man had been
fuller than ever Of religious thoughts
and seemed to lose interest In every
thing except Olwen.
A week later Ivor sailed for the
States.
he had absolutely no clew to follow.
he had made arrangements with bis
London bankers, whose address he had
given to Olwen. Should she write to
him there he would get the letter. That
was his only hope, for the chance OF
running across her by accident was too
meager to be considered. AS matter
Of fact, he considered It to the degree
of keeping a sharp lookout on the
passersby in every place he went to.
He acted in a manly way with his
sorrow. He did not yield to 1t or sulk.
he went to social functions. to amuse-
ments, played pool with fellows at
clubs and did his best to live up to the
duties Of life as he understood them.
But It was irksome. Many time he
found himself making the bitter refec.
ton as to how pleasant this or that
would be II he had her by his side. he
could not taste life's pleasures now
alone and find savor In them. He was
too well balanced. too optimistic, to
give up hope. Surely q man and wo-
man brought together as he and Olwen
Gwent had been were not destined to
fall in love only for their lasting sepa-
ration and misery!
He spent some time In New York,
went to Lenox, to Washington, and as
the season advanced drifted to Florida
and caught tarpon. AS a remedy for
heart loneliness tarpon was as inef'
fective as anything else.
Then he yearned for something with
less humanity, more nature and Dig
game. He recalled an old college chum
who three years ago had located him.
self in what was then Utah terri.
tory. He wrote Henderson suggest
ing q visit and received prompt
eager response begging him to come a,
once.
He put In four or five months with
his friend. 1t was not absolutely
cheerful. But the bleak wind over the
sterile wastes and the rough accom-
modations suited his mood fairly well
and Henderson was a perfect compan'
ion.
In the beginning Of summer Hender
son had to leave the Green river re-
gion and 90 to Salt Lake City. Ware
ham accompanied him. He had found
his companionship too congenial te
readily forego it. The absence of Oliver
Gwent had assumed place In his
heart akin to a vacant chair at the
family board. In way he was used
to It, though his desire to remedy the
vacancy was doggedly persistent.
They took rooms at the old Walker
House. The quaint city. the strong
hold of Mormondom, interested Ware
ham. The broad streets, full of dust In
The Doctor She Wanted.
Intelligent women are always doing