The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-07-01

"HE replies that Ivory had re-
ceived from his letters of In
| quiry concerning his fathers
movements since leaving
Maine and his possible death in the
west left no reasonable room for doubt
Traces OF Aaron Boynton In New
Hampshire. In Massachusetts,. In New
York and finally In Ohio all pointed In
one direction. and. although there were
gaps and discrepancies in the account
Of his doings, the fact Of his death
seemed to be established by two ap-
parently reliable witnesses.
That he was not unaccompanied in
his earliest migrations seemed clear.
but the woman mentioned as his wife
disappeared suddenly from the reports.
and the story of his last days was the
story Of broken down. melancholy.
unfriended man. dependent for the last
| offices on strangers. He left no mes
sages and no papers. said lvory's cor
respondent and never made mention
Of any family connections whatsoever.
He had no property and no means OF
defraying the expenses OF his illness
after he was stricken with the fever
No letters were found among his poor
effects and no article that could prove
his identity. unless It were a small
gold locket. which bore no initials or
marks OF any kind, but which contain
ed two locks of fair and brown hair.
intertwined. The tiny trinket was en-.
closed In the letter. as of no value. I'M
less some one recognized II as a keep
sake
Ivory read the correspondence with
heavy heart. inasmuch as IL corrob-
grated all his worst fears. He had
sometimes secretly hoped that his IA
Their might return and explain the rea-
son OF his silence or In lieu OF that
that there might come to light the sto-
~ OF pilgrimage. fanatical perhaps.
but innocent OF evil intention. one that
could be related 10 his wife and his
former friends and then buried forever
with the death that had ended It.
Neither Of these hopes could now
ever be realized nor his fathers memo
ry made other than cause for end
less regret. sorrow and shame. His
father, who had begun life 80 hand.
somely, with rare gifts OF mind and
personality. wife OF unusual beauty
and intelligence and. while still young
in years, consIdera BILE success In his
chosen profession. His poor father!
What could have been the reasons for
70 complete downfallf
Ivory asked Dr. Perry's advice about
showing one or two OF the briefer let
.ers and the locket to his mother. Aft.
.r her fainting ut and the exhaustion
hat followed 1t, Ivory begged her to
see the old doctor. but without avail
Finally. after days OF pleading. he took
ler hands In his and said: Il do every.
thing a mortal man can do 10 be q
good son to you. mother. Won't you
10 this to please me aud trust that /
Know what Is bestT' Whereupon she
gave a trembling assent. as II she
were agreeing 10 something indescrib-
ably painful. and. indeed this sight OF
4 former friend seemed to brighten her
strangely.
After DR.. Perry had talked with her
sor half hour and examined her SUI.
1ciently to make at least reasonable
guess as TO her mental and physical
condition, he advised Ivory 10 break
the news Of her husbands death to
ler.
III you can get her TO comprehend
IT," he said. 4" II is bound TO be a relief
from this terrible suspense"
"Will there be any danger OF making
her worsef Mightn't the shock cause
too violent emotionf" asked Ivory anx-
iously.
81 don't think she is any longer CO.