Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-04-22
AN INTERRUPT
ED ROMANCE

ED ROMANCE
80
Kathryn wilber was taking the
longest way home from the village. A
quarter OF a mile or so remained be
fore she would reach her destination.
w n. near the fork Of two roads. abe
passed opposite an old oak tree. As
she stood there a far-away look was
IN her face: Just what that expression
meant. the old tree might have told.
but that was as silent as Kathryn her
self
Ksthyrn had left her "reminiscences
L ack at the old tree, and nothing espe-
c'ally recalled them till week or two
later when she took up the village
paper and then the heading Of col
umn Whose Letters Are These!'
meant nothing till. reading on, the
color suddenly left her face, as. with
a little gasp. she began once more the
PER- sal Of the article, which read:
"tfany OF our townspeople @rs
Doubtless familiar wiz, the ancient
oak tree which, until a few days, stood
near the crossroads in the eastern
part of this town, but few, IL any, prob
ably know that at some time, who can
tell when. this tree was put to a use
substituting the rural delivery boxes
OF to-day? A few days ago this old
tree was cut down, and within its hol-
low trunk was found two letters, yel
low with age, but still remarkably
well preserved. OF whose romance are
they a part? Who was Kitty? Who
we Dixy? It Is doubtful II any of our
re rs know. Whether in their ankle
t. push the missives in beyond the
discovery of others they placed them
too far in till they fell within the hol-
low trunk. or how It all happened,
who can sayf Below we give the let
ters:
Wednesday.
Dear Kitty-It is no use, your
father and mother will never con-
sent as things are now. so l am
going away. II come back with
something more than myself to
offer you It may make a differ
ence anyway, ! am going. II you
care for me, as l hope. meet me
on Thursday, tomorrow. at 5
O'Clock, at the oak tree, and tell
me so. II you cannot come at
write and leave It here to say
that you will wait for me till
come back. / am going Friday.
Hopefully yours, DIXY.
"The second letter runs thus:
Thursday.
Dear Dixy-I have had the
hardest work to get away long
enough to write this for We have
company at the house. wonder
II our letter is waiting for me in
oi.r postoffice. am going to take
a rencil and finish this after
reach the oak tree, and have read
your letter.
No letter herel Oh. Dixy, you
said you would write! Why
haven't you7 I will wait a little
while. perhaps you will come.
II seems to me that have
been here hours. dare not wait
any longer. / shall be missed.
Don't disappoint me tomorrow.
Yours,
KITTY.
Kathryn WILDER sat for a few mo
ments unmoving. The years SCENE,
TO have rolled backward, she was
g.. again. young and happy in tn
love Of Richard Holman. for thes
were their letters-his and hers
written 20 years ago. Her father hai
other plans for her marriage am
would hear nothing Of this pennies
young man, and they had correspond
ed with the old oak as a receptacle 10
their letters. placing them where tn
decaying trunk formed an opening
Kitty and Dixy we're their names 10
each other unknown to any beside
themselves. Kathryn's eyes file
with tears as she recalled the hear
ache OF that day, and those following
when no letter came. and at lengt
she heard that Richard had gone "ou
West" aud still she did not hear froI
him. All. well, he had no doubt MAJ
ried long ago and would never knOV
why she had not been at the old GA
to bid him good-by.
A few weeks passed. when on
bright morning Hulda came to he
mistress room with the announcl
ment: "A gentleman TO see you, Mis-
KathEyn."
Reaching the parlor she saw notl
ing familiar about the tall. broa,
shouldered man with a sprinkling {
gray in his hair. and he regarded he
with a keen. eager glance before h
asked; Have you forgotten mt
KathrynI" &.
The man was no longer young, b.
the years seemed to roll away. as wit
q quick breath she exclaimed: "Ricl
ard"
Il was Richard Holman, and a littl
later he was telling his side OF th
story. u waited till dark at the ol
tree that day" he began, land the
as you you did not come and coul
fnd no letter. ! told myself you ha
listened TO your father and no longt
cared whether | went OF stayed. Til
next day I left Edgemont and has
never cared to come back, till
ehSHced TO see a copy OF the villas
parer. and there In black and whit
was not only my letter to you. b.
your reply. Then could not <,
here quickly enough. for l knew 70
were stiA unmarried. Tell me. Kat
ryn. is It for my sake you have wal
edg"
ssYon must t,nou % e. pfcha.4