Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1921-11-24
The Lost Love
Letters
By E. DUNBAR.
90, 1921, Western Newspaper Union !
The letters ! They are gone"

envy her radiant, soulful eyes the
glowing cheek, fair and velvety as a
damask rose. Sorrow had been hers.
grief and disappointment, but she had
borne her troubles patiently.
The old secret wound was torn omen
sfresh at her present startling discov-
cry. A hidden package of letters was
missing from her desk. They were the
history of her brief but happy ac-
Quaintance with Ranald Dyer, rudely
disturbed and broken In a single "a
hours. Why, she had never known.
and she had never seen him since.
The letters she had preserved, even
as she had retained the memory of the
blissful period when life had been
filed to the brim with golden sunshine.
Now they were gone.
Just then jolly ringing, boyish
voices broke upon her hearing Rosy
checked, bright-eyed fun of juvenile
vim and excitement. two little lads
burst into her presence. They were
the children of her sister who came
regularly once a week for a visit-Wil-
lie and Paul Emory.
"Oh, Aunt Muriel, we have had such
rare sport" breathlessly announced
the latter, the elder Of the pair.
II should say so" echoed his broth.
err eve always have lots of fun here"
What have you been up to now?"
she asked.
Playing postman' proclaimed Paul
exultingly We didn't ring any bells,
but we put letters under doormats."
What letters-where did you get
letters?" exclaimed Muriel, dun pre-
monition arising In her mind.
"Why, right from your desk there,
aunty," explained Paul
Come with me, she said promptly
to the two boys. Nov, then, Willie,
and you, Paul, go instantly over the
route you took, and get back those let
ters."
The lads loved her, and saw that in
some way they were causing her trou-
BILE. They hurried with her from the
house. 1t was singular experience.
There were - of the letters. Muriel
knew only too Well At the end of
three blocks ten We're back In her pos
session.
There are two more" said the anx-
lous Aurel.
yes ma'am." replied Willie, II
handed one to man.
II
wringing her hands in distress.
"And l left one on the porch Of the
big house yonder,r indicated Paul, and
they FASTENED TO the place In question.
1t was a vacant house but a tramplsh
looking fellow was camped on its steps.
Lost something's" he inquired, In
part overhearing the conversation of
The trio.
81 am looking for letter." ex-
planned Muriel.
"Ah, indeed" muttered the tramp.
valuable maam2'
81 will pay for its return"
"Mebbe I'll find It," said the man,
and Muriel left.
ooh, Aunt Muriel," said Willie, as
they reached home, ~ just remem-
bered The man l gave the letter to
looked a good deal like that photo
graph l noticed in your desk"
Muriel flushed, with a new pang at
her heart at the allusion. She sat on
the porch that evening, trying to for
get the distressing incident and Ranald
Dyer, when some one came up the
steps. 1t was the tramp she had met
that day.
about that letter now" he began
with leer. "What will you give for
it7"
Have you found it?" inquired Mu-
riel eagerly. II will gladly pay you
Ten dollars"
IT'S hundred or nothing" said
the tramp menacingly.
mot cent" interrupted a ringing
voice that thrilled Muriel through and
through.
And then the tramp was seized by
the collar by vigorous hand, and sent
headlong into the road,
His ready captor returned 10 the
petrifed Muriel. He lifted his hat cour-
teously, but very gravely
There is the letter that man had.
here is one a little boy handed me to-
day, passing out letters he called it,"
"Ranad-Ranald Dyer" murmured
Muriel weakly.
Yes, 1t is l." replied her lover Of
the past. Il came TO visit the old town
after my long absence. You seem TO
have thought enough Of those old let
tiers of mine to preserve them
Her head sank low, she could not
utter a word 1t was a strained stu
alton.
IF so, why them proceeded Ranald,
"dld you not make some reply when l
sent word by my friend, Edward Ross,
seven years agoT
TT never received it, spoke Mu-
riel quickly. And then; "He was not
your friend--I see it all now"
He was dead now, and she did not
wish to prove his falseness. 1t came
lout reluctantly-the story.
'Muriel," said Ranald, leaning closer
ITO that pleading, longing, beautiful
asce, "A true man tells his love once,
L shpr