Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-10-15
'I'heTe Ignorance Is Bliss


tOriginail
A young man stood witch his hand on
the latch of hon Ia the country,
admired the cheerful appearance Of the
place. then knocked aud was admitted
by an old man.
''you are Deacon Meriyale. are you
noty asked the visitor.
Speak louder. 1 am hard of hear
ing"
sAre you Deacon MeriyaleT' the
questioner repeated. raising his voice.
still he was unheard and shouted the
question In the mans ear.
Yes; my names Merivale."
You had son, Edgar. who ran
away and
Edgar? What do you know about
EdgarT"
II am Edgar's''-
"You Edgar7 Can II be that my son
has come home to be with me during
the last few years have to liver
Il was going to say that l am Ed
gar's'--
my boyl My boyr' sobbed the old
man, falling on the strangers neck.
Meanwhile the two had drifted from
/ the hall into the living room. AS the
I visitor looked over the old mans shout
( der door opened. and he saw the face
( and figure OF young girl on the
I threshold. The situation was awk-
ward. The deacon did not see the girl
I or hear her. She looked at the new
( conner for an explanation.
HE thinks I'm Edgar" he said.
A quick Intelligence passed over the
girls face.
"Don't try to disabuse his mind"
she said "He has been talking o. my
brother continually of late. His mis-
take may turn out a fortunate one"
/ This was great relief to the sup
I posed son. Now that the responsible
I fly was on another he resigned himself
10 play his part.
Father, forgive me-" he said, with
I feigned emotion.
The old man raised his head and saw
his daughter.
Emily he cried. Edgar. your
brother. has returned to usr'
Here was Il new embarrassment.
/ Any brother returning from long alb
sence would naturally take his sister
/ IN his arms for an affectionate en-
brace. ANY sister would naturally fly
TO the arms OF her brother Yet these
two stood apart.
Daughter" said the old man severe
iy. II have forgiven Edgar. 1t is my
wish that you welcome him home
The spurious Edgar advanced peni-
tently aud, gently putting his arms
about the girl. who blushed red as a
rose. kissed her.
That night after the old man had
gone TO bed. thankfulness In his heart
at the return OF his son. the stranger
told Emily Merivale the story he had
tried to tell her father. Edgar Meri-
vale and Frank Tucker were joint pros
pectors In Colorado. Having acquired
valuable mine, 1t was decided that
Tucker should go east and organize a
company TO work II. Just before Tuck
err left Merivaie died, having charged
his partner TO bear the news TO his IA
Their and sister. Emily dared not at
present announce II TO her father. She
determined TO advise her neighbors OF
the deception and for the present keep
1t up.
Tucker was successful In his busi-
ness efforts and was making prepara-
lions to leave for the west. One even
ing Deacon Merivale entered the living
room suddenly to find Emily In Tuck
er's arms.
I n ss.4A .af N .hnrFh n
ciable the next evening. what broth
erly and sisterly love there Is between
my boy and girl. Last night they were
sitting on the sofa hugglng and kiss
ing as II they'd been pair OF freshly
Matched lovers"
This speech was not long In getting
TO the ears of the pair. What was TO
be done? After long elaboration they
decided TO be privately married and,
telling the old man that Edgar desired
his sister to go west with him, take
their departure together.
Ii was not an easy matter to perpe-
trate an act that must be known TO all
the world save one person and he or
the nearest relationship, but the place
was small. and every one thought 1t
would be q pity TO break the news of
Edgar's death to the old man, he sup
posing his son had come home TO him.
1t made Emily's heart bleed to leave
her father alone. but there was no way
TO avoid doing so except by a confess
sion. The couple were married In the
dominle's study. then went home and
| hade alden to the father.
From their western home they wrote
the deacon that the mine was doing
famously and as soon as its success
was assured they would bring him out
10 join them or return TO him. His
neighbors were much interested in
hearing the old man talk about bis
children's affection for each other-so
great, In fact, as to render them insep-
arabic. But as time passed and they
neither returned nor sent for him he
concluded to make them a visit He
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