Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1911-07-13
w
; 1t Was Long Maintained and (
; Ended Only In Death :
} By HELOISE BRAYTON !
8 Copyright by American Press Asso- :
citation, 1911. !
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

When Sam Bartlett at sixteen went
away from home without bidding his
parents or his little sister Ethel good
by mot communicating with them
afterward), he wrecked the comfort Of
the family. His mother died within a
few years, and her death left the old
man desolate indeed. His eyesight and
his hearing were both impaired. His
daughter Ethel. poor girl. had a hard
time with him. To read to him was
difficult. since she was obliged to shout.
and he could not see to read himself.
Ethel loved her father, but it was
natural that she should wish for some
thing more inspiring than taking care
,f a broken down old man. She was
but eleven years old when her brother
went away and fourteen when her
mother died. When at times she would
have a temporary respite from the
care Of her father. like many another
girl, she would dream of the prince
who would come to marry her and
give her the comforts Of a home that
would be her own-and his.
One morning there was a knock at
the door. Ethel was upstairs and did
not hear the summons. 1t sounded
again and this time loud enough for
Mr.. Bartlett to hear. He went to the
door and opened it. There stood a
young man.
II am looking for the home of Mr..
Bartlett" said the stranger. "Have I
struck the right house?"
Speak louder" replied Bartlett, put
ting his hand to his ear; I'm hard of
hearing"
"Tm trying to find a Mr.. Bartlett,
and I think you are he. I judge by
the resemblance your SOM
MY SOM"
Eyes. your son Sam"
SAM?
yes"
"Oh, Sam, my boy, how could you
have left us as you did with never a
word all these long years? You killed
your poor mother, and I have one foot
in the grave. How could you? How
could you?"
The father put his arms around the
strangers neck and wept.
The visitor was standing in this alb
surd position. not knowing whether to
mingle his tears with those of the
weeping father or to laugh when he
saw an attractive looking girl descend
ing the staircase.
But I'll not reproach you, SAM"
continued Mr.. Bartlett. IT dare say I
was severe with you. and a spirited
boy won't stand too much correction.
I'm glad you've come back and to
stay-haven't you? Oh, stay with u.s.!
Ethel and l are so lonely. and we need
your help. Your old father needs a
strong young arm and brain to support
him."
By these words and the half amused,
half sympathetic look on the face of
the stranger Ethel understood that her
father had made a mistake. Dreading
to have him suddenly %disabused. fear
ing a reaction consequent upon disap-
polntment, she gave the young mar
a meaning look and put a finger on her
lips as a signal for silence. Her IA
theirs back was to her. so he did not
see her, and she, wishing to release
the visitor from his embarrassing po-
sition, laid her hand softly ON the old
mans shoulder. He turned and saw
her.
"Oh, Ethel" he exclaimed joyfully,
whom do you suppose this is? Your
long lost brother Sam has returned"
He disengaged himself from his sup
posed o that Ethel might embrace
the prodigal. But Ethel stood mute.
Forgive him. Ethel. as l have for.
given him. Forget the past and what
he might have been to US during the
years that are gone. 1t was l who
drove him away by my harshness. For
give him for my sake"
II forgive him. father" said Ethel.
But there was no warmth in the
words, nor did Ethel greet her brother
with a sisterly kiss. An expression
Of infinite pain crossed the fathers
face. The stranger saw it and step
ped in the breach.
Forgive me. Ethel" he said. Il
have done very wrong"
He advanced to her with outstretch-
ed arms. Ethel drew back.
"Ethel!" cried her father in an ago.
ny.
The stranger folded her in his arms
and kissed her. Had the old man
better. eyesight he would have known
by the bushes that the kiss was not
a brotherly and sisterly n And had
not the two whose sight was perfect
strongly approved Of each others per-
sonal appearance, had not each seen
in the others expression that ap-
proval. besides something akin to
loves first spark, probably the girl
might not have blushed. The old man
put one arm around his supposed son
and the other around his daughter,
forcing them to prolong their en-
brace.
THANK heaven. my dear children.
for this reunionr"
Father" said Ethel. let us hear
what Sam has to say in explanation,