The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1911-09-21

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 1t was the remains Of Mr.. Mar
tindale. After the police had searched
several months for the missing man
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.
A man ragged, unshaven, burrows 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 he asked If Mrs. Martindale
was In.
mo" was the brief reply.
"Where Is sheT'
'In the country"
as Mr.. Martindale in the city,
mo. Mr.. Martindale is dead"
Mrs. Martindale hasn't married
again, has she?" the man asked.
mo. What's that to your"
Without waiting for a 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 celebrating 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 a cemetery. Enter
ing, he walked into the interior and
stopped at a lot of which he was the
owner There was a central mOnu
ment with the name Martindale on II
in raised letters. Underneath was o.
car Martindale, with the date OF birth
But this shaft held Mr.. Martindale's
gaze only for a second; then 1t turned
upon a little headstone on which was
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
bank and. going to the cashiers desk,
said:
"How are you, SomersT
The cashier looked at the supposed
tramp and asked what he wanted.
give hundred dollars"
Somers glared. For whose account p
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 SEM
a 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 will
a roll Of bills ia his pocket, purchases
new apparel and, going to his house
rang the bell. When the maid opene'
the door he simply said. Maggie, In
Mr.. Martindale," and walked upstairs
An hour later, after having shaved AM
taken a bath, he came down, and tn
maid. who had been In doubt what =
do I'm the matter and was about to ca
=, the police, recognized her master. Ii
Informed her that her mistress woul
soon be at home and later that b
would 60 out and order something TO
dinner.
At 6 O'Clock the table was set and
good dinner prepared, while Mr.. MAI
, tindale awaited the return OF his fan
lily. Presently a carriage drove up {
the house, and there was ring at tn
bell. As Maggie passed through tn
hall to answer the summons her ma!
ter directed her to ask her mistress
: step into the dining room.
Mrs. Martindale entered In a stat
Of excitement, followed by her Chi
dren.
There's a gentleman in the dnin
ROOM" said the maid
Mrs. Martindale led the way to tn
dining room, and there stood her hu
band. She fell into his arms.
At the family reunion dinner, whic
was later brought in. the husband an
father told them that he had undoub
J, eddy suffered one of those sudde
lapses of memory that are not Of Z
frequent occurrence.