Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-10-28
MISSING LETTERS
BY CLARlSSA MACkIE.

Three months ago they had been
strangers. Now Barry's ring cleaned
on Ruth's slim, sun-tanned finger. In
the shadow of the hedge Barry bent
his tall head to exchange the parting
kiss.
Remember, DEAR" he said, that l
will come in the spring to claim my
wife! In the meantime, we shall see
each other often-the city is only two
hours distant, and besides, l shall ex-
pect letter every day."
So they parted, Barry waving his
hat from the stage until it vanished
over the brow of the hill. Then Ruth
turned and went slowly toward home.
Her eyes were so heavy with un.
shed tears that she did not see an ap.
preaching runabout until the horn
blared sonorously in her ears. She
turned aside.
rs that you, Ruth?" asked a mans
surprised voice.
"Oh, DAM" she laughed shakily
brushing away the telltale tears.
How you frightened mel"
Dan Wales looked down at the girls
slim figure and noted with frown
that she had been crying. He had
loved Ruth, always, long before the
handsome city chap had cut him out.
Where is Barry Lane?" he asked
abruptly.
Ruth's face grew scarlet and then
white. How readily Dan had con.
nected Barry with her tears
He has gone home,' said Ruth,
coldly, "and must be hurryng along"
With hasty gesture of farewell she
disappeared down the road.
That evening in the library Of his
handsome home Barry Lane told his
parents Of his love for Ruth Fielding
and showed them her picture. Two
hours later he stepped out to the
nearest letter.box and mailed letter
to the girl he had left behind in Sea-
port.
The morning after Barry's depar-
ture from Seaport the little post office
was crowded with its usual expect
ant throng Eva White, behind the par.
tition, peered at the gossiping crowd,
her lip curling knowingly as she iden.
titled each and mentally guessed
the hopes and fears that brought them
there so regularly three times a day.
She did not see the face Of Ruth
Fielding until the crowd had depart.
ed. Ruth looked sweet and dewy in
her pink gingham and nodded greet.
ing to Eva White before she peered
into her own letter-box.
1t was empty!
Ruth grew pale. How confident she
had been that Barry would keep his
promise and write to her. She laughed
at her fears and left the office, but
she could not forget the contemptu.
Gus smile that lowered about Evas
face.
Eva White had made no secret of
her infatuation for Barry, and his un.
swerving devotion to Ruth had embit.
tered the post office assistant.
Ruth went home and wrote her
promised letter to Barry Lane, and
resigned herself to waiting until the
evening mail Should bring her Barrys
belated letter.
But day after day passed, the au.
tumn waned, the first snow fell, and
Ruth had not received that promised
letter. At New Years Ruth returned
Barry's ring by registered mail. The
usual receipt card came back to her.
cd Do Avn
the episode was ended.
Gradually Dan Wales renewed his
wooing of Ruth, and by June their
wedding day was set. Dan knew that
he did not possess Ruth's entire heart,
but he was confident Of winning it in
the end.
1t was beautiful day late in June
when Ruth Fielding stood in her
bridal attire before her simple dress
ing table Suddenly she went to her
bed and knelt, praying.
While she knelt the door opened
and Eva White, dressed to attend the
wedding, peered in and then entered
softly, locked the door and went and
dropped to her knees beside Ruth.
"Oh! Ruth, pray for me, tool" she
sobbed wildly. Forgive me if you
can, have wronged you!"
With their arms around each other,
Ruth heard Eva Whites confession.
The package Of suppressed letters
there were eight of them in Barry's
bold writing-all unopened, besides
the single letter Ruth had sent to
him.
And the letters Ruth read them
with streaming eyes. Barry had been
faithful. His parents would welcome
her with open arms. Barry now be-
lieved Ruth to have been the faithless
one. She had returned his ring and
he had never received letter from
her.
While they talked, Mrs. Fielding
brought the smiling bridegroom to
see his bride-and in their presence
Eva White repeated her amazing con-
fession.
Fifteen minutes later, Dan Wales,
white and grim looking, went down
and dismissed the wedding guests and
the astonished minister.
Indefinitely postponed" he told
them ALL When he was alone he
went to the telephone and called Barry
Lane on the long distance wire.
In Seaport they still talk about that
June day. They tell about the mar
riage IN the Fielding house, and add
that Barry Lane was the happy
bridegroom, while Dan Wales was best
man and Eva White was the brides
attendant.
in the end Dan married Eva White,
and out of the sin and pride and pain