The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-01-19
The Mail Box
Secret
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
By WINIFRED DUNBAR


Copyright 1922. Western Newspaper Union
Langwith had lost Adela. He had
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
fevershly, striving to make name.
Then, when he stood squarely upon his
feet, and his pictures We're 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, discontinued, but in
effably dear TO him, did not know her
own heart.
She had promised him, with tears,
that IL 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
little seaside village, and after that
she had travelled in Europe. II was
more than a year before she returned
70 her house in the metropolis.
The third summer after he had lost.
her Langwith resolved to 60 to Cam
ways. 1t was a 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.
"lt's been unOccupied for three
years" the agent told him frankly.
Langwith moved in. 1t was de
lightful, old-world place, with garden
fun IF 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.
81 just put bundle of mail for you
In here" said the postman indicating
the private mail box which stood at
A. ~,
Cured to me that, having just moved
in. you mightn't have the key"
a. 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.
1t was in Adelas handwriting.
"YOu asked me to tell you If j
changed my mind" he read, land l
have changed it. / cannot tell you
what it costs me TO make this con-
fession, my dear, after the way in
which | treated you. But | always
loved you, only your sudden asking,
after 1 had ceased to hope, startled
and frightened me. / didn't know
what to say; could not tell you of
my love then, and | said mo- This is
all / can bring myself to say now.
Write to me at once, or l shall go
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 shadow barred his en-
trance He looked up hopelessly-
into Adela's face.
She was standing before the door, a
silent figure In cloak.
"Adela!" he whispered, still half in
credulous. "When did you conner
II have only just come" she whis-
pered back. But you-how did you
come here?'
IT came to be where you had been,"
lie answered.
But my letter.
II got it this morning, Adela."
This morning" she exclaimed.
why, posted that letter three years
ago."
Langworth began to laugh hysteri-
cally. For three long years the letter
had lain in the private box which
Adela had mistaken for public one.
And now-now-it seemed miraculous
that he should have rented the very
house that she had loved, and taken
the letter from the place where she
had posted IT..
But, when he explained, her happy
tears drove the memory of those years
away.
Australians Underground Wealth.