The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-07-11
A Disappearance
By RUTH B. SEVERANCE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
ciation, 1911.

Mrs. Martindale answered the call and
received an inquiry from her hus-
bands Office asking If he were at
home. Mrs. Martindale replied that
he was not and asked why the inquiry
was made. The answer was that
gentleman who had an appointment
with him was waiting for him; that
Mr.. Martindale had gone out to lunch
and had not returned.
MIR. Martindale did not come home
to dinner His wife telephoned to his
club and to every other place where
he was likely to go without finding
any trace of him. He did not come
newspaper contained an item stating
that we'll dressed man had been
seen at o O'Clock the previous evening
to jump off a ferryboat. 1t was SO
dark that those who had seen him
jump could give very little description
of his personal appearance.
Mrs. Martindale was frantic. She
feared that this suicide was her hus-
band. Unfortunately the body was
not recovered A body changed be-
yond recognition was fished up weeks
afterward, but there was no certainty
that II was the remains of Mr.. Mar
tindale. After the police had searched
several months for the missing man
without finding him his wife reluc-
tantly came to the conclusion that he
was the man who had jumped from
the ferryboat. Since his business and
domestic affairs were in the most sat
isfactory condition it was supposed
that he had committed suicide under
a fit of temporary mental alteration.
a man ragged, unshaven, furrows in
his face indicating suffering, appeared
at the door of dwelling and rang the
bell. A maid came TO the door, and.
seeing one who bore the appearance of
a tramp and being alone in the house,
she was about TO shut the door in his
face when be asked if Mrs. Martindale
was in.
NO" was the brief reply.
Where is shef'
''1n the country"
as Mr.. Martlndale in the city"
"No. Mr.. Martindale is dead
Mrs Mariindale hasn't married
again, has she?' the man asked.
mo what's that to youF
Without waiting for reply she shut
the door. The man turned away. He
was Oscar Martindale, the man who
had disappeared several years before.
He stood ON his own doorstep for
awhile, looking out on the passing
throng, apparently deliberatlng what
to do next. Then, starting down the
street, he hailed trolley car and, rid
Ing to the outskirts of the city, stop
ped at the gate of cemetery. Enter
ing, he walked into the interior and
stopped at lot of which he was the
owner. There was central monu-
ment with the name Martindale on II
in raised letters. Underneath was Os-
car Martindale, with the date OF birth.
But this shaft held Mr.. Martindale's
gaze only for second then 1t turned
upon a little headstone on which was
the name Edith. The returned man
gave convulslve shudder. One of his
children had gone, his little daughter
Mr.. Martindale walked back to the
city, He had expended his last nickel.
Besides, he preferred TO walk. Reach
ing the business center he turned into
n bank and, going to the cashiers desk,
said
How are you, Somers"
The cashier looked at the supposed
tramp and asked what he wanted
"Eive hundred dollars"
Somers g!;tred. For whose account?"
he asked presently
'Martlndale am Oscar Martin
dale"
The cashier peered into the mans
face for fully half a minute; then,
arising and taking both Of Martin
dale's hands In his, exclaimed:
For heavens sake, Oscar, have you
come to lifey'
Half an hour later the cashier sent
that he had news of her husband
Mrs. Martindale replied that she would
be at home by the first train.
Mr.. Martindale left the bank with
roll of bills in his pocket, purchased
new apparel and, going to his house,
rang the bell. When the maid opened
the door he simply said, Maggie. I'm
Mr.. Martindale," and walked upstairs
An hour later, after having shaved and
taken bath, he came down, and the
maid, who had been I'm doubt what to
do In the matter and was about to call
the police, recognized her master. He
Informed her that her mistress would
soon be at home and later that he
would go out and order something for
dinner.
AT 6 O'clock the table was set and a
good dinner prepared while Mr.. Mar
tindale awaited the return Of his fam
lily. Presently a carriage drove up to
the house, and there was ring ut the
bell. AS Maggie passed through the
hall to answer the summons her mas
ter directed her to ask her mistress TO
step into the dining room.
Mrs. Martindale entered In state
OF excitement, followed by her chill
dren