The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1911-08-25
A Disappearance
By RUTH 3. SEVERANCE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

Mrs. Martindale answered the call and
received an inquiry from her nus
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 u
gentleman who had an appointment
with him was waiting for him; that
Mr.. Martindale had gone u to lunch
and had not returned.
MIR. Martindale did not come home
to dinner. His wife t%elephoned to his
club and to every other place where
he was likely to go without finding
any trace Of him. He did not come
home that night. The next morning a
newspaper contained an item stating
that a we'll dressed man had been
seen at 0 o'clock the previous evening
to jump of u 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-
You'd recognition was fished up weeks
afterward. but there was no certainty
that 1t was the remains of Mr.. Mar
tindale. After the police had searched
several months for the missing mar
without finding him his wife reluc-
family 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 1t was supposed
that he had committed suicide under
a fit of temporary mental alteration.
\ man ragged. unshaven. burrows in
his face indicating suffering, appeared
at the door of Il dwelling and rang the
bell. \. maid came to the door, and.
sreiny one who bore the appearance of
ii tialnp and being alone in the house,
size WAS about 10 shut the door in his
fa.r whpa he asked If Mrs. Martindale
vas in.
No" was the brief reply.
where is She!"
Sin the country"
SIS Mr.. Martindale in the city"
"No. MI. Martindale is dead"
"Mrs. Martindale hasn't married
again. has she?" the man asked.
mo. What's that to yOu:"
Without waiting for a reply she shut
the door. The man turned away. He
was Oscar Martindaie. the man who
had disappeared several years before.
He stood ON his own doorstep for
awhile. looking out on the passing
throng. apparently celebrating what
to do next. Then. starting down the
street, he hailed, a trolley a and, rid
ing to the outskirts of the city, stop
ped at the gate of a cemetery. Enter
ing, he walked into the interior and
stopped at a lot of which he was the
owner. There was a central NOM
ment with the name Martindale on IT
in raised letters. Underneath was o.
car MartinGale, with the date of birth
But this shaft held Mr.. M~artindale's
gaze only for a second: then 1t turned
upon a little headstone on which wac
the name Edith. The returned man
gave a convulsive 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
a bank and. going to the cashiers desk.
said:
"How are you, SomersY
The cashier looked at the supposed
tramp andvasked what he wanted.
"Five hundred, dollars" ee.
Somers giared. "For whose account?"
he asked presently
"Martindale. I 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 life?"
Half an hour later the cashier sent
q telegram to Mrs. Martindale saying
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
q 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 q bath. be came down, and the
maid. who had been in 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 60 out and order something for
dinner.
At 6 O'Clock the table was set and q
good dinner prepared, while Mr.. Mar
tindale awaited the return Of his fam
lily. Presently acarriage drove up to
the house. and there was a ring at the
bell. Az Maggie passed through tina
hall to answer the summons her mas
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