The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-08-31

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mourned and wept. She could scarce
ly keep from utterly breaking down
before Walter. He received his let.
ter. read it quietly, coolly pocketed it
looked a trifie sad, the watchful Mel.
lie fancied, but he said nothing what,
ever as to its contents.
Hes done it-we've got him y
rather imperiously proclaimed Mrs
Leeds an hour later.
"What do you mean?" YEARLY ques-
| toned Nellie.
'The letter and the photograph. ]
searched his old coat. They are gone.
Now then, you pluck up nerve and let
me work out this problem"
In her masterful way Mrs. Leeds
directed all details. She was in her
element, meddling and muddling in
the affairs of others. With culver
Of vague pain Nellie noticed that her
husband was more particular than
usual the next morning as to his at
tire.
At two o'clock that afternoon she
and her mother left the house for the
vicinity of the address given in the
note to Mr.. Briefly. Both were deep
ly yelled. They found safe covert in
the doorway of an unoccupied house
and watched the one where the writer
of the note resided.
"Don't squirm or get hysterical," di-
rected Mrs. Leeds, as Nellie Shrank
back with a pitiful whimper.
Her husband was coming down the
street. He assembled the steps of the
house opposite. He was admitted by
a servant. In few moments he came
forth accompanied by beautiful but
sad-faced girl whose general appear
ance indicated the invalid.
He was the courteous gentleman
complete as he offered the girl his arm.
They walked slowly along. Walter
seemed to do most of the talking. His
companion listened with bowed head
and more than once applied her hand
kerchief to her eyes, as though the
tears were there.
For mercy's sake!" exclaimed Mrs.
Leeds, at the end of half an hours
cautious pursuit of the pair.
"Why, they are going into a ceme-
tery!" marvelled the bewildered Mel
lie.
Strange place for rendezvous J"
pronounced Mrs. Leeds. "This is get
ting beyond me, must admit"
Walter and his charge wandered on
until they reached secluded part of
the cemetery. There was a rustic
seat and there they sat down. From
some sheltering foliage concealing
them near by, Nellie and her mother
saw Walter hand the girl something.
They saw, too, that it was the ribbon
secured photograph and letter.
The girl cried over them, kissed
them. Then, as Walter pointed to a
little mound near by, she proceeded
alone over to this, knelt beside it and
was lost in deep grief.
In a little while the girl, looking
subdued and heartbroken, rejoined
Walter. They returned the course to
her home. AS he left the girl she
clasped his hand and seemed to be
brokenly telling of some overwhelming
grief. Then gravely Walter lifted his
hat and with somber mien left the vi
cinity.
HIM" observed Mrs. Leeds, palp-
ably puzzled and disappointed. "Here's
a mystery I can't fathom."
Don't try to- murmured Nellie. Il
feel sure we are misjudging Walter"
'He shall confess the truth this very
night or I shall take you back home
with me!' declared Mrs. Leeds.
But there was no occasion for that.
After dinner, as they sat in the living
room and Mrs. Leeds was primed for
her attack, Walter spoke.
"Iy DEAR" he said to his wife, II
had a sad mission today. You remem-
Der the old friend told you of, Gerald
Price, who died six months ago."
81 think l do" murmured Nellie.
"He loved a beautiful young girl,
whose parents objected to his adj
dresses. They sent her away for
year and it broke my friends heart.
She returned to the city a few days
since and 1 have executed the mission
my friend in dying entrusted to me.
It was to tell her how sacredly he had
treasured few words she had written
and a photograph of herself she had
given him, to his last moment. 1t
was a sad task. I took her to his
grave today and told her of his con-
stancy. Poor soul! her heart is bro
ken. She is a hopeless invalid and
will not long survive the man she
loved so devotedly."
ooh! why did her parents inter-
fere?" breathed Nellie, almost crying.
At this her mother spanked up"
She gave her a whitening glance. Next
morning she terminated her visit.
Nellie never told Walter of the or
deal through which she had passed.
Only, greater tenderness and
strengthened faith came into her heart
for the man whom she doubted never
more