The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-07-11

mieut take MS Latner and sister with
him. George Mason before leaving his
business had taken in one OF his clerks
as partner. and there was no hurry
for his return. He remained with the
Bartlets as prodigal son, Ethel tax
Ing care to inform her friends and ac-
quaintances 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 let the cat out of
the bag to her 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 that they were engaged,
which was his way Of proposing Eth
ell didn't quite Ike that way OF doing
1t, but she acquiesced
Every day 1t became more risky to
disabuse the old man and confess the
deception. He was failing rapidly,
and it 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 We're very
much in love with each other. wished
to be married. and IT. was necessary
that Mason should return to his bust
ness. 1t would not do to leave the old
man behind. and If they took him with
them. blind as he was. they could not
live together as man and wife without
his knowledge of their relationship.
The puzzle seemed insoluble
However. though Mr. Bartlett would
not solve It by dying. he 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 1t. and the three departed
the same day for their new home.
Months passed. and although Mr..
Bartlet's ears and eyes got no better
his health was no worse. The difficult
ty of keeping the situation from him
was trifiing compared with the abb
surdity Of his talking about the rela-
tionship that he supposed to exist be-
tween his two children
when Sam first came home" he
said to friend. Il feared Ethel would
not forgive him for all the trouble he
had given us, but now she acts toward
him just like a bride and he like a
young husband. They kiss when he
goes down to business in the morning
and when he comes home in the even
ing. l never saw such loving broth
er and sister,
While the old man was content to
live, as he supposed. with his children,
he often wished that one or the other
would marry that he might have lit
tie grandson to love him and cheer
him In his old age But to gain this
he must give up a part of what he al
ready enjoyed. An outsider must be
introduced into the house, and this he
knew would endanger the family peace
and comfort The thought of bringing
In another woman appalled, him. for he
had a theory that no woman could
come into house without sooner or
later taking over its management. But
he saw no difficulty In introducing an
other man. SO he occasionally limited
to his daughter that she should marry.
Il have no wish to marry. father"
she would say. Il am perfectly con-
tented as am Why do you wish me
to marry?"
well. you see, I'm lonely during the
long days when Sam is at business, and
I'd like to have child for company"
Finally about year after the mar
riage the old man gave out One day
he tooA to his bed. which he never
again left. His supposed sons alb
sence all day at his business was a
great trial to the invalid From the
tine Mason went away in the morn
ing till his return in the evening the
patient would wait and watch for him.
At last when the candle Of life was
pickering low the dying man beard a
cnild's cry
Whats that?" he asked, starting up.
Father" said Ethel. that's little
Sam. named for you. the third Of the
line"
Fortunately there was no time for
any more lies. The grandfather drop
ped back dead.