The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-14

The Missing Man
Copyright by Lee & Shepard
A Thrilling Dealing with Startling Phase OF
Hypnotic influence and Double Personality

work
True enough. vane. And did that lead
That seemed TO be the point around
which my faculties rallied 1t came to me
after awhile that Grovedale and Mr.. Carter
were in New Hampshire. Next, / remem-
bered my home and family and last my
own name At this point, satisfied that
bad recovered my lost identity. l started
home, the workmen clubbing together to-
provide the means. L shall send it back
to them at once
What name did YOU so by until you
Garter. 1t was the only name that
recalled"
,'vane." said his wife, will you tell us
The children had now retired and the
three sat alone together.
Why went away?" he repeated slowly.
Il went on business. Did 1 not tell you
Yes, you told me so: but that does not
since our marriage and stayed two weeks.
You know and l know that there was a Sc
cret reason for your going
He listened intenty To her words as il
! needing them well and specializing on their
intent. Once or twice after she finished
he appeared about to speak, but did not.
he literally did not seem TO know what
to say. how to answer her. At last he said:
The same reasons for not telling you
are still in force. The secret is not my own.
II II were L would tell you. But the time
will come when l can tell you. For the
present is it too much to ask that a wife
! trust her husband2"
Yes, it is too much" she cried passion
ately, too much. 1t is that which has
caused all this trouble
Constance he said, taking her hand
and looking al her appealingly Il wish
! could tell you. 1t is a simple mystery,
nothing that need come between you and
me-"
But it has" she cried.
| Yes, L see. l have come to you just
l went away, with no greater secrecy be-
! tween us than. there was then. l have
/ suffered illness, loss of mind. absence from
/ home, from you and the children, and yet"
he stopped as if unable to go on.
hard te pi Iea tbat yang H she Is
| explain when he can without breaking
confidence, you know said Mr.. Carter.
me-"
so did. so 1 did. But 1 didn't under
stand that there was another party in
the secret That makes difference
| constance turned away as if still unsat-
! lshed, but in a moment said in a low
You recollected the children's commits
sions, but did you not forget mine?"
bring?'
She did not answer
| Constance, you 90 not seem well
pleased" he said sadly. "Why is it?"
| Still she did not answer.
Was there anything else? If so. 1 have
| forgotten"
You have not brought the same self
that you took away" she cried passion
ately. You are not the same
| He started to his feet as if stung by
her words, but was calm in a moment,
and answered reasonably and kindly.
is not the defect in you, Constance?
L see none In myself. | feel the same to-
ward you. 1t is you who are changed"
He arose and looked for his hat and
gloves.
What. bless my soul! You amt going,
| Vane?'
Yes, will go to the hotel for the pres
ent. is that your wish, Constance?"
She bowed her head and murmured some
thing about changes to be made
oh, but / wouldn't Don't CO." said
Mr. Carter, getting up and fussing about
Il think Constance is right" a little
stiftly replied her husband Still he went
heF kssed be Td on tb she did not rift lift
went out with warm glow on his hand
some face. a perplexed look in his eyes.
What do you mean, Constance, by turn
ing man out of his own house in this
ne was gone
Il did not turn him away. 1t was his
own proposal to go to the hotel
But why, with a house full of rooms
| could have given up mine if you had
no place in yours"
THE children sleep in my room. uncle. -
You women beat the de-utch."
Uncle Carter said Constance facing
about and setting down her lamp. for she
had started to retire. II don't feel quite
sure that it is Vane.'
Are you crazy, Constance?"
NO; but somehow l feel a doubt
well. Of all the notions you ever took
up that is the greatest, and you've took
up enough of them. Prmus Edes, for in.
stance. You thought, l believe, that he
looked like Vane when nobody else coulC
see look Perhaps he is your husband
said her uncle. thoroughly provoked by
her extraordinary behavior.
Il never said so, uncle, and 1 don't say
this man is not. 1 say I have a doubt
AT all events he will have to prove hi.
identity, and he will have TO tell me why
he went away before L receive him Abou
that l am determined"
What folly is this? Constance YOU ar,
a changed woman"
To his vexation she burst into an uncon
trollable tit of weeping.
Il am a most unhappy woman" sh
Sobbed, Il know that"
Unhappy when your husband for whom
you mourned has just come back?
and went to her room, her form shakinj
with emotion.
When there. she sat down, still an,
quiet now, and thought deeply. Then tn
sounds of a violin stole across the field
and reached her, though family But sh
did not raise her window for a moment
, as she had sometimes done. She sat still
and listened till the sound died ava,
> and then she retired. But she did no
sleep. She lay all night thinking ponder
: ing, wondering, fearing-what?