The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1922-03-24
IlllII1ltlIIllllIIllI1ltIlIllllllllllllII1I
!; The Mail Box
Secret

By wiNIFRED DUNBAR

been in love with her for three years.
and during that time he had never
dared to ask her the question which
would put an end to his doubts. Adela
was rich woman, and Langwith, like
many painters, was desperately poor.
During those three years he worked
feverishly, striving to make name,
Then, when he stood squarely upon his
feet, and his pictures were becoming
recognized for their worth, he told her
Of his love. And she refused him.
He had gone away hopeless. She
did not love another man, but she did
not love him. She could not love-, she
said. Adela. rich, discontented, but in
effably dear to him, did not know her
own heart.
She had promised him, with tears,
that II ever she changed her mind she
would write to him. But three more
years had passed away and he had
not seen her since. She had gone
away to Camways that summer, 10 a
little seaside village, and after TINT
she had travelled in Europe. It was
more than a year before she returned
to her house in the metropolis.
The third summer after he had lost
her Langwith resolved to 60 to Cam
ways. It was pilgrimage Of love. He
arranged to rent the old-fashioned
cottage upon the cliffs, within a
stones throw Of the hotel where Adela
had stayed.
"It's been unoccupied for three
years." the agent told him frankly.
Langwith moved in. 1t was de.
lightful, old-world place, with garden
full Of flowers set out by the last Oc-
cupant and now rapidly reverted to
the wild.
He felt that If only he could see
/ Adela he might induce her to give her
self to him. Adela was unhappy; she
would never be happy without the life
companionship Of somebody who un-
derstood her.
He was awakened on the fourth
morning Of his stay by the call Of the
postman. He threw on his dressing
gown and went down.
"Party by the name Of Langwith
here?' asked the man.
The painter nodded sleepily.
! II Just put bundle Of mail for you
in here" said the postman, indicating
the private mail box which stood at
the end of the garden. "Then 1t oc-
Cured to me that. having just moved
In, you mightn't have the key"
NJ haven't" said the painter. 81
didn't know you had free delivery
here. But guess it can be opened
easily enough"
The weather-worn box yielded to
the slightest effort, and Langwith took
out his letters. Among them was one
that made his heart beat furiOusly.
! It was in Adela's handwriting.
"You asked me to tell you II !
changed my mind," he read, land l
have changed it. l cannot tell you
what 1t costs me to make this con-
fession, my dear, after the way in
which I treated you. But ! always
loved you, only your sudden asking,
after had ceased to hope, startled
and frightened me. didn't know
what to say; l could not tell you of
my love then, and l said no. This is
all can bring myself to say now.
Write to me at once, or l shall 60
abroad and never dare to look you in
the face again. ADELA."
The letter was dated two days be-
fore from Camways.
Adela was in the village! Langwith
lost no time in getting dressed. He
hurried over to the hotel, and when
he asked for her he was trembling so
that he could hardly frame his words
But Adela was not there.
In the gray twilight he went home
beaten. He entered the garden de
jectedly. A shadow barred his en-
trance. He looked up hOpelessly-
into Adela's face.
She was standing before the door, 6
silent figure in cloak.
"Adela!" he whispered, still half In
credulous. "When did you Gomez"
II have only just come" she whis
pered back. "But you-hOw did yOr
come here?"
II came to be where you had been,
he answered.
; "But my letter."
II got 1t this morning, Adela."
'This morning?" she exclaimed
"Why, / posted that letter three year.
ago."
Langworth began to laugh hysterl
cally. For three long years the lette
had lain in the private box whicl
Adela had mistaken for public one
And now-now-lt seemed miraculOu
that he should have rented the yer.
house that she had loved, and takel
the letter from the place where sh'
had posted it.
But, when he explained. her happ
tears drove the memory Of those year
away.
AustraIia's Underground Wealth.