Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1911-07-27
10 or ~ years. Marcia is the only

Clllu.
she seems to have had her share OF
IT,
she fas not been quite We'll lately:
but she WAS always Il iittlc-wcll-sa sad,
1t seemed to me; serious, you know;
smiling sometimes, but rarely laugh
ing. I've fancied she grieved for her
husband; but l really know nothing
about it."
She doesn't look very strong" ]
hazarded, in the hope that Curtiss
really knew moro than he supposed.
'Sh" isn't strong; but I've never
seen hey really i'll. She is subject to
spelis OF depression. so Marcia told
me. OF course, I've known her ONLY
six months"
so there was an old trouble. as ]
thought. besides which this new one
seemed OF little moment. She had been
schooled by suffering; perhaps | had
misjudged her in thinking her indif-
ferent. But it vas evident that J
Curtiss.
20 were at the church," l asked
when YOU heard that Miss Lawrence
had disappeared?
Yes he answered hoarsely. Royce
brought me word"
AND You came straight here?
And searched for herr"
Where could l search? 1 was utter
ly at sea. ii don't remember inst
what l did at first
Blu you didn't search the house nor
the grounds"
Why should have lone that when
Mrs. Lawrence a already done It
he demanded.
True %assented. After all. l had
no right to shake his faith in her
upon a mere suspicion.
Il was overwhelmed" he added. IT
was too dazed to think. Royce said
ned Wire for you. I'm glad he did.
for I'm utterly unable to decide what
to do. l should like you to advise
me-"
Well. Mr.. Curtiss." said, there's
only one thing to be done-that is. to
hnd Miss Lawrence and demand an
explanation from her own lips.
Whether or not this is the wisest
course. may be open to question@but
II 1 were in your place. / think I'd do
just as you are doing and take the
risk"
But to find her--how can 1 do
that? I can't set a detective on her
track
NO, of course not 1 agreed: but
I think we can get along without a
detecttve."
w must. Detectives talk too much,
and this thing mustn't get into the
papers,"
II don't see how YOU can prevent
1t was to have been a church
wedding. wasn't it?"
Yes, a church wedding."
With an invited list of guests?"
"Certainly."
And they were present at the
church, weren't they"
Curtiss groaned n I saw the per-
SEPARATION start out cross his forehead.
Present." echoed Mr.. Royce. II
should say they were-the church was
crowded. And we We're waiting there
In the minister's study, worrying be-
cause it was so late. when word
came"
Don't" protested Curtiss, with a
despairing gesture. Il never thought
of that. I've been thinking only Of
myself. OF course the papers will
have it," and he groaned again.
Well there's no use worrying about
IT." interposed Mr.. Royce. What ID
done is done. The thing is to find Miss
Lester can. I'm sure that five minutes
talk with her will straighten out tho
whole tangle. There's been an absurd
mistake Of some sort"
NO doubt" l assented. though in my
heart | did doubt it very much. At any
rate. the five minutes talk could do no
harm.
Now you go away somewhere for a
day or two, and leave his thing in our
hands," added u Junior. "What YOU
need is rest. Don't worry any more
than you can help. Let us know where
you are, and Well wire you as soon as
we have any information. That's good
advice. isn't it. Lester?"
Very good" I said. Il hope Mr.. Cur
tiss will follow it,"
mo. no. he protested. II can't go
away must stay here-I couldn't
stand it to go away"
May l speak to you frankly, Mr..
Curtiss"?" 1 asked quietly.
please do" he said. Speak as
frankly as you like"
We'll. then" I began, you'll pardon
me for saying 1t, but I don't believe you
can help us any. just at present. Be
gether."
That's true" he agreed. and glanced
at his trembling hands.
Take my advice" I went on earnest
ly. land Mr.. Royce's advice. Leave
Elizabeth for a little while. There
isn't much chance of my finding Miss
Lawrence for a day or two You must
get your calmness and elf-possession
back, for you'll need Them"
Yes" he a hoarsely; yes, I'll
them. Very we'll. Til do as you
say. Mr.. Lester. Only it's deuced selfish
OF mo to throw my troubles or your
shoulders this way"
Selfish nothing!" cried our tunior
Where will you go?"
Il don't know" answered Curtiss
helplessly.
Go to one of the beaches neal New
York. The sea air and surf will do YOU
good. Let US know where you are.
then. II we want you. we won't have
any trouble nding YOU. and Won CON