Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1911-10-26


raise his voice at all II be doesn't
humble his words.
But the supposed Sam objected. He,
said that II was long story he had
10 to-! and he was tired lie would
tell 1t 10 Ethel and she could repest
as much OF II az she liked to their
father. The old man. opposed by both
bis children, was Obliged 10 give In
and LEFT them together AS soon as he
had gone Ethel closed the door and
looked inquiringly al the stranger.
Il was trying 10 begin" he said,
the delivery OF message from your
late hrotber He was my partner In
business In western city. and | re-
greet 10 say that / come to announce
his death
Ethel sighed 1t was rather that a
hoped for support would not material
ize than grief. for she scarcely remem-
bered her brother But the stranger
who gave his name as George Mason,
assured her that her brothers Interest
in the business would be sufficient 70
make her father and herself quite com
Portable. The story OF Sam Bartlets
career was, as Mason had said, long
one, and after giving il to her the
question came up as to what course
TO pursue IN the matter Of breaking the
news OF Sans death TO the father
Ethel could not make up her mind
10 tell the old man that his son, in
stead of having returned to him, was
dead All any rate. she felt that II
must be put Off But she invited Mr.
Mason To remain in the house-indeed,
her father would misunderstand her
not doing 80 until he returned to the
west The old man was Informed that
Sam was in business in the west and
might take his father and sister with
him. George Mason before leaving his
business bad taken IN one OF his clerks
as partner. and there was no hurry
for his return He remained with the
BartlefS M prodigal son. Ethel TAX
ing care 10 inform her friends and ac-
quuirtanoeS as TO the true state of the
case
Several weeks passed and Mason
made no move TO return to business
Ethel was beginning to fear that some
stupid person might lei the cat out OF
the bag to Der father Besides this.
playing brother and sister by two per
sons who were not related was not
likely TO go on without criticism. To
guard against any such issue George
Mason told Ethel that they had better
announce thar they were engaged.
which WIS his way OF proposing. Eth
ell didn't quite Ike that way Of doing
II. but she acquiesced.
Every day 1t became more risky TO
dIsabuse the old man and confess the
deception. He was failing rapidly,
and IL was feared that the shock OF
knowing that his son had not return
ed to him. but was dead, would Kill
him Mason and Ethel. who were very
much in love with euch other. wished
to be married and II was necessary
that Mason should return TO his busi.
ness It would not do to leave the old
man behind. and II they took him with
them. blind as he was. they could rot
live together as mGn and wife without
his knowledge OF their relationship
The puzzle seemed insoluble.
However. though Mr. Bartlett would
not solve II by dying be grew so
blind that the young couple decided to
be married and take him west With
them without letting him know the
secret The ceremony was performed
privately. where he would know moth
ing about ii. and the three departed
the same day for their new home.
Months passed. and although MIR
Bnrtlet's ears and eyes got no better
his health was no worse. The Difficult,
ty OF keeping the situation from him
was rrihlng compared with the alb
surdity OF his talking about the rela
tionShlp that he supposed to exist be
tween his two children
when Sam first came home" he
said TO u friend. Il feared Ethel would
not forgive him for all the trouble be
had given US. but now she acts toward
him Just like a bride and he like u
young husband They kiss when he
goes down TO business in the morning
and when he comes home In the even
ing | never saw such loving broth
or and sister "
While the old man was content t.
1--we, as he supposed. with his children.
he often wished that one or the nlhT
would murry that he might nave w
tie grandson "a love him and rherr
him in hia old age But tn gam this
he must give M part OF what he al
ready enjoyed. An outsider must he
introduced into the house.. aud this he
knew would endnnger the family peace
and comfort The thought Of bringing
in another woman appalled, him. for ne
uad theory that no woman could
come into house without sooner or
later taking over its management. fuf
ne saw no difficulty in introducing an
other man So he occasionally hlnted
20 his daughter that she should marry.
II have no wish to marry, father
she would say II am perfectly con
tented as am, Why do YOU wish me
10 marryT'
Veil. YOU see. I'm lonely during the