The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-11-24
THE STORY or A
LOST LETTER
Happy Incident In the Life Of
a Young Girl.

was told that my father and had
idolized each other. but " l was only
four years old when. as my mother al
ways expressed 1t. ''he left u.s. | did
not remember him.
When was girl Of sixteen ! was
one day watching a housemaid move
a desk. She was about to put It back
in Its place when | noticed the corner
Of an envelope sticking out from the
back Of the desk. took hold Of 1t
and drew 1t out. 1t was addressed to
my mother. had never been opened, and
the postmark bore date Of twelve
years before. 1t read:
II you are convinced write me definitely
by return mail. After Saturday It will be
too late.
It was signed with a single letter,
either an NJ. or W.. could not be
certain which.
I placed the note in one Of the little
drawers in the upper part of the desk.
Ny mother was absent at the time. and
I intended to call her attention to It on
her return, but forgot all sbout 1t.
One evening I visited a friend who
lived few doors from our house and,
on tnking my leave, started to go
home alone. A carriage was standing
By the curb, and two men were loiter-
ing on the sidewalk. As I passed they
approached me. and almost before I
knew what had happened they had
lifted me of my feet and put me IN
the carriage.
begged them with tears to tell me
what It all meant and what they were
going to do with me. One Of them as
sured me that no harm would come to
me and had best calm myself. After
driving some distance they entered
large grounds and stopped under the
porte cochere OF dwelling. The door
Of the house opened. and matronly
woman came out, put her arm about
me with a pleasant smile. led me into
the house and up Into bedroom,
where she said would spend the night
I questioned her. but she gave me no
information. though she assured me
that no harm would come to me.
learned something. however, from over
hearing a telephone message. One Of
the men who had kidnapped me was
talking.
"She's here"
A pause.
"No. I'll guarantee that Not a hu-
man being except those concerned
knows where she IL or can track her."
A pause. @Ai
"She behaved very well, though. Of
course, she's pretty badly cut up"
The man listened to something more,
then hung up the receiver and went
downstairs. A few minutes later
heard the carriage drive away.
will not attempt to describe my
feelings, which were rather puzzled
than otherwise, for was SO kindly
treated that 1t was impossible to con-
tinue to be frightened The motherly
woman brought me nightdress and
asked me II I'd like any supper. She
had no fear Of my getting out through
the window. for l was on the third
story.
In the morning after breakfast was
directed to 60 into the library. A gen.
tlemsn was waiting for me who 40 I
approached regarded mo with q face
on which sadness had been stamped,
but which now lighted up With kind
ness, love, admiration.
@Marjorie, my child, what splendid
girl you are"
drew back. astonished. ''Who are
your asked.
"Your father"
my father Is not living"
HAS any one ever told you that he
b deadr'
could not remember that any one
had ever said so.
"Marjode," he continued. drawing
me to him, II am really your father.
Your mother has had you long enough;
at least 1t is now my turn for awhile.
We shall sail this afternoon for Eu-
rope"
/ was convinced that he was really
my father both by his bearing toward
! me and picture had seen Of him. I
temporized with him. neither asserting
nor dissenting. We were still talking to-
gether when several men forced their
way into the house. and soon after my
mother drove up in carriage. She
found me with my father. Seizing her
by the hand, endeavored to draw her
to him, begging them to be reconciled'
Impossible" said my father. II
gave your mother last opportunity
more than ten years ago"
"You did not" said my mother, tears
starting to her eyes. "You left me
without a word"
NJ wrote to you that II you were con-
vinced your suspicious Of my inf1delity
were unfounded to write me within
a given time. After that 1t would be
too late"
The words recalled the letter I had
found.
"You wrote no such letter. You left
me to punish me for an unfounded sus.
picion, and now you have stolen my
ehild."