Smyrna times., 1911-06-21

, n
Deception.
1t Was Long Maintained and
; Ended Only In Death
By HELOISE BRAYTON
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.
By HELOISE BRAYTON
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

%~&H1E4G~oH.e131 131H.&3AH13<1&~3
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
of 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 knock at
the door. Ethel was upstairs and did
not hear the summons. 1t sounded
again and this time loud enough for
Mr.. Bartlett 10 hear. He went to the
door and opened it. There stood
young man.
Il am looking for the home of Mr..
Bartlett said the stranger. "Have l
struck the right house,"
Speak louder" replied Bartlett, put
ting his hand TO his ear; I'm hard of
hearing"
I'm trying to find a Mr.. Bartlett,
and l think you are he. l judge by
the resemblance your som
My SOM
'Yes. your son Sam"
"Sam?"
eyes"
"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 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. 81 dare say
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 us
Ethel and are so lonely. and we need
your help. Your old father needs 8
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 hel
father had made a mistake. Dreadins
to have him suddenly disabused, fear
ing a reaction consequent upon disap
pointment, she gave the young maj
a meaning look and put finger on he
lips as a signal for silence. Her ia
theirs back was to her, so he did no
see her, and she, wishing to releas'
the visitor from his embarrassing po
sition. laid her hand softly on the oil
mans shoulder. He turned and saw
her.
"Oh. Ethel" he exclaimed joyfully
whom do you suppose this is? You
long lost brother Sam has returned"
He disengaged himself from his SUP
posed son that Ethel might embrac
the prodigal. But Ethel stood mute.
"Forgive him. Ethel. as l have fol
given him. Forget the past and wha
he might have been to us during tn
years that are gomez 1t was | VIII
drove him away by my harshness. Fol
give him for my sake"
: "I forgive him. father" said Ethel.
But there was no warmth in tn
words, nor did Ethel greet her brothe
] with sisterly kiss. An expressio
!, of infinite pain crossed the father
B face. The stranger saw it and steI
ped in the breach.
D "Forgive me, Ethel" he said.
y have done very wrong.
% He advanced TO her WITH OuIStretci
z ed arms. Ethel drew back.
B "Ethelr' cried her father in an ag'
y ny.
d The stranger folded her in his arm
e and kissed her. Had the old ma
o better eyesight he would have know
& by the bushes that the kiss was M
q a brotherly and sisterly one. And ha
& not the two whose sight was perfe'
q strongly approved of each others pc
q sonal appearance, had not each see
q in the others expression that a
& proval, besides something akin
q loves first spark. probably the 81
& might not have bushed. The old ms
a put one arm around his supposed 81
g and the other around his daughtt
D forcing them to prolong their el
q brace.