Catoctin clarion., 1918-06-06
THE DEAD LETTER
BY VIRGINIA LEE.


himself in the solitude Of his room,
looked into his heart and found no
happiness nor prospect of it there, sur.
veyed the prospect of vast change
In his life about to materialiZe, and
decided secretly that he was sacritic-
ing sincerity and honor in accepting
the same.
He had been at Brocton for over
year, first as clerk then department
superintendent, and now he was man
agcr of the prosperous winston M"r-
camille establishment. II had all come
through his striking the liking Of Cd
con Winston, proprietor of the insti-
tuition.
He made no new friends and was
generally voted an unsOcal man.
There was reason. When Grayle
had come from his former home he
had left behind the girl he loved de
votcdIy Alma Waters. 1t was upon
his last evening at her home that he
was interrupted In disclosing to her
his hearts secret. He had time only
to whisper hastily in her ear that he
intended to write her when he reached
his destination. Would she reply To
very important quest IN he wished to
submit? Flushing and with Il shyly
avcrted eye that encouraged him, she
had told him: yes
When he reached Brocton he wrot"
the letter that confessed the ardent
love Alma already knew was hers.
Then he enclosed IN smaller enveIop,
a twenty dollar BILL sealing it and ask
Ing Alma to hand it to her brother
Ralph. In looking over his menoran.
DUN book Gruyle came across an item
of indebtedness to Ralph Waters
which he had totally forgotten, and he
took this occasion to liquidate the
same. Then II few days of cNpectant
waiting, Il later week Of doubt ana
anxiety and finally, at the lapse of
month with no reply to his letter,
Grayle decided that all Womankind
were tickle and false and entered up
on life of supreme disappointment
and bitterness. This, however,
wrought wonderful change III his
prospects, Not only had Gideon Win
stOn placed him in the path OF sure
success and riches, but had cncour-
aged Grayle to come frequently t.
his paIatinl home, Thus t'rayle hnn
met his daughter, Helena. She was
pleasant companion. They were Il
great deal together, and by stages Mir.
Winston brought affairs to point
between them where it was tactiIy un.
dcrstood that Helena was to become
his wife.
only this very day Winston had
spoken to Gruyle and told him that
he had indicated the dearest wish Of
his heart to his daughter, and press,
ing GraylC to prosecute his suit to
definite understanding.
IL can never love her, and her fa-
thcr is entirely deceived in believing
that do" mused Grayle.
He glanced towards the door. On
its panels had resounded Il faint, timid
knock. Grayle arose to his feet III
sheer amazcment. A female figure
stood before him, lifted Il Veil ana
revealed the white, anxious face OF
Helena Winston.
Il had to come, Mr.. Grayle,' she Ut
tered pasSionateiy. you have been
so kind and cOnsiderate III our BRIEF
companionShip, that | could not do you
Il wrong, Today my father told me of
his wish that We two become engaged.
1t is impossible! | am sorry il 1t
causes you pain, but | love another,
poor, but worthy, and before | would
link my life lovelessly with another,
| will elope with him.
For moment only Alan Grayle re-
hcctCd. Then it seemed as if Il great
load had lifted.
Miss Winston" he said, Il thank
YOU for this candor. | esteem shall
always esteem you, but l too have
loved, and it would be cruel mockery
to wed another with her picture ever
in memory. Do not think of precipi'
tating trouble and scandal by clan
destine marriage. | shall retire from
the field before another day has pass
ed In time the man you love may
win your fathers sanction. Good
by"
Respectfully he lifted her hand and
pressed it to his lips. Until late in the
night Grayle sat devising how he
would announce his decision to Gid
con Winston. He knew his arbitrary,
4 cnnnlnIpI
he would at oncs leave his employment
and the town.
His landlady handed him letter as
he started for the store to set affairs
in final order.
"A letter, sir, just came" she an
nounced, and Grayle, glancing at 1t,
noted that it bore the card of the dead
letter department of the postal seiV-
ice, and inside was the letter he had
sent to Alma Waters. Its envelope
bore no stamp, and it had been sent to
Washington, money found in it and
returned to the writer, as was the usu-
al rule.
Strong man as he was, Alan .Grayl4
was shaken as he comprehended sit
uatiOn that had come at the end OF
deep sorrow and suffering, yet pre-
senting a hope that gave him wings OF
energy and determination.
He went to Mr.. Winston and told the
whole truthful story, and his audi
tor seemed to comprehend that per
haps in n battle of love against his
will he had better not risk urging an
unhappness that might be lifelong.
Back TO his old home sped Grayle,
fnSt rs Stnam could take him. And