The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1906-07-26
ROMANCE OF
A POSTAL CARD.
BY H. L. MORTIMER.

Sherwood displayed photo
graph post card to his friend Bah
cock.
"This," he said, "ought to please
Elvira."
Babcock took the card, looked
at it and laughed.
at ough to, all right" he said
elf she likes grewsome things"
The card was one of Sherwood's
own print. II showed pictur-
esque churchyard with large
tombstone prominent in the fore
ground.
But ! have my doubts" he went
on, "abOut sending it to the girl to
whom l was engaged. Doubtless
she will admire your skill, but
have my doubts as to the way in
which she will understand it. 1t
may put you in a false light"
"You're wrong, Bah, old boy.
Why, when we started out on this
auto tour her last word was:
Now, Harry don't fail to send me
a post card from every important
point you visit. | will increase my
collection in that way, besides
knowing you have me in your
thoughts-at least at times No,
Bah, | don't think she will misun-
derstand it. AT any rate, Pm GO
ing to post it. Here goes"
They were passing the post of
fee of a New York town and Sher
wood dropped the missive with its
strange design in the gaping slot.
"Well, the deed is done now,
anyway" said Babcock, "but do
hope, for your sake, Harry, she
will not try to decipher the inscrip-
tion on that tombstone in the fore
ground. Do you remember how it
read? 1t is terribly suggestive.
Here it is:
-" Pause. passer-by! Beneath this sod
There rest the bones of Jessie Dodd,
Who loved a man who threw her over
To die and lie beneath this clover"
"Tis rather wsome," com
mented Sherwood, "but | don't
think Elvira will misunder-
stand it,"
Mr.. Harry Sherwood's conclu-
sions, however, were not correct,
as he learned to his dismay on his
return to New York.
He received call at his club
from Elvira's brother, Gilbert Ell
lis.
He greeted the kinsman of his
fiancee warmly, but his greeting
was returned in manner most
chilly.
II have not called to exchange
greetings, Sherwood" he said,
"but on business more important
and not so pleasant. My sister
was deeply hurt by the postal
cards she received from you. She
feels deeply the insults they con
tanned. 1t is her desire and that
of our family that the acquaint.
ance should cease. Here are your
letters and presents. GoOd-day,
sir"
Ellis departed suddenly, leav-
ing the astOnished Sherwood gaz
ing at the floor.
"Seems to me there has beenan-
other hand injected into this
game" was all he said.
III.
Babcock and Gilbert Ellis were
it over a few weeks later.
IL have never seen fellow 50
hard hit" said Babcock. "Since
the post card episode Harry Sher-
wood hasn't been himself. He is
no longer the gay, pleasant chap
)f the time previous to he break
ing off of the engagement"
Ellis moved uneasily, but de.
to the conclusion drawn
~ Babcock.
~ don't think you ought I'd say
hat" he expOstulated "One
night have considered it joke.
,ut TO receive series bearing sim.
lar references as that on the first.
rom every point in New York
tate where YOU stopped, was sim.
'ly abominable."
HE showed me only the one at
ierkimer," said BabcOck. "If he s
ent others they must have been
'osted when he was out of my
presence"
just then a mutual friend joined
hem.
Have you heard the news about /
larry Sherwood?" he asked.
mo-" they both exclaimed in G
he same breath, "What Is it?"
why, he's committed sui,
ide-"
"What 2" cried Rabeock. "Why,
hats absurd. ! saw him only two
lights ago, and, while he seemed a
lorose, there was nothing about
is actions that hinted he was Q
bout TO end his lifc...
"lt's true, nevertheless" said |
ne newcomer. "He was seen to y
out into the sea at Manhattan :
each during the afternoon and h