The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-07-28
A Decade In
Transit
BY ALICE 7. BURcE

What a receptacle for miscellaneous
articles are books! When one closes a
book he or she-most probably she-
will take up almost anything to mark
the place. Then, too, things that may
be we'll preserved find their way be-
tween the leaves Of volumes. Flow
ers, photographs. old letters, bits OF
paper of all kinds, may be shaken out
of books.
One day one Joseph Werner, a man
Of thirty, strolled into library to nose
about among the volumes on the
shelves. He was scholarly fellow,
and the books be sought were such as
few persons cared for. Passing a
shelf marked History" he took down
copy of "Josephus." an eminent Jew
ish historian, who wrote during the
first century of the Christian era.
Turning over the leaves. he came upon
an unfinished letter written in wo-
mans hand. The words Dear Joe"
caught his eye, and since his name
was Joe he was interested. CHANGING
at the date. be saw that ten years had
passed since the letter had been writ
ten.
He pictured in bis mind the history
OF the volume from the day the letter
had been placed in It, girl was writ
! ing to a man. Some one entered the
room whom she did not wish to see
the letter. 'Josephus" was lying
open on table. She placed the letter
! In tba hnnk nd nipea5 a. Eithar che
had forgotten it or had been called
away and never saw it again. The
| volume with the letter in Ii had found
It's way into the library. where 1t may
not have been opened up to the pres
| emit time.
the letter be was looking at the chi
Biography. IL reminded him of writ
Ing that he had seen long ago. 1t was
all very vague. but there was some
thing inexpressibly tender connected
with It. He glanced down to see who
was the writer. but since 1t was unfin-
ished there was DO signature.
His mind drifted back to period
about the time the letter was written.
Perhaps 1t was an associa ton with
the handwriting. He was then enter
Ing upon his first and thus far his
only. love- How delightful that grad
ual fusing of two young hearts! Low
ing was as natural as breathing. Then
came the serious part He was about
TO go away to fight on the worlds bat
tlefeld for a living-a competence, a
fortune. He had spoken his love,
which was returned. but the girl must
have time to think about IT. She was
farseeing and thought it unwise TO
engage herself to one who had not vet
even made a start She would let him
know before be went away. But he
did not bear from her.
While thus reverting to the past his
eyes were fixed on the letter. He read |
without knowing that be was reading. |
The writer evidently, was giving 10
lover an answer such as he had hoped |
to receive.
Leaving the volume on the shelf. be
took the letter to window. where be |
could get a clearer view of the hand I
writing. 1t looked more familiar than /
before. Gradually a belief came TO /
him that the letter had been written |
to him. He remembered the date that
he had left home, and that on the LET.
ter was the day before bis going As
he looked and continued TO look the
There was no installing 1t. The letter
had been written-not finished-to him.
But It had never been sent
Why? All. There was the mystery.
The letter went into Werner's pocket
instead of the volume in which it had
been inclosed. He knew where the
writer lived. though be had not seen
her since he parted with her decade
ago. He determined to 90 to her for
an explanation.
They stood face TO face. Each rec
ognized the other. He drew the let
ter from his pocket and handed it to
her She looked at II in wonder, rec
ognizing IT, but evidently being dazed
at holding 1t In her hands.
How did you come by thisT' she
asked.
He related to her the strange hap
pening by which he and the letter had
1rifted TO the library and met there.
Her memory seemed to be confused in
part. though as to writing the letter
It was clear.
II wrote this" she said. "the day be-
fore you left u.s. Mother suspected
that something was between us and had
advised that we remain each free until
7ou were able to marry. Nevertheless
resolved TO answer you in the affirm :
tive. While was writing ! heard :.
mother coming. A book-I don't re-
member what book-lay open on the .
able near me- / put the, unfinished
etter in 1t and closed It.
Mother asked me what I was going
o do about you. and gave her an j.
vasive answer. She drew a promise :.
rom me TO take no action without no.
flying her. was but seventeen and :
ncertain what to do; therefore l did
othing The letter remained In the
ook. where had placed it When we
ave up housekeeping, leaving our
ONE. we sold all our books to a deal
r How II came into the library
there you found 1t ! can't imagine
Mess the library bought IL from the
ealer"
Your mother. who was present" he
aid, II being absent made up your