The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-06-16

not 80 deaf that I can't hear people
who speak plain. Sam won't have te
raise his voice at all II he doesn't
humble his words"
But the supposed Sam objected. He
said that II was a long story he had
to tell and he was tired He would
tell 1t to Ethel and she could repeat
as much of IL as she liked to their
father. The old man, opposed by both
his children. was obliged to give In
and left them together. AS soon as he
had gone Ethel closed the door and
looked inQuiringly at the stranger.
II was trying to begin," he said,
the delivery Of message from your
late brother. He was my partner In
business In a western city, and l re-
greet TO say that l come TO announce
his death"
Ethel sighed It was rather that q
hoped for support would not material
lie than grief, for she scarcely remem-
bered her brother. But the stranger,
who gave his name as George Mason,
L
In the business would be sufficient to
make her father and herself quite COM
Portable. The story Of Sam Bartlet's
career was, as Mason had said. long
one, and after giving 1t 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
to tell the old man that his son, In
stead of having returned to him, was
dead. At any rate, she felt that It
must be put of. But she invited Mr..
Mason to remain in the house-indeed,
her father would misunderstood her
not doing so-until he returned to the
west The old man was informed that
Sam was In business in the west and
must return there. but possibly he
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
Bartlets as prodigal son. Ethel TAX
ing care to inform her friends and &C.
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 like that way Of doing
1t, but she acquiesced.
Every day it became more risky to
disabuse the old man and confess the
deception. He was failing rapidly.
and 1t 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 each other, wished |
to be married. and 1t 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
i've together as man and wife without |
lis knowledge Of their relationship
The puzzle seemed insoluble.
However, though Mr.. Bartlett would
lot solve 1t by dying, he grew so
blind that the young couple decided to
'e married and take him west with
hem without letting him know the
ecret The ceremony was performed
privately. where he you'd know moth
ng about it, and the three departed
he same day for their new home.
Months passed. and although Mr..
ears and eyes got no better
lis health was no worse. The difficult
y of keeping the situation from him
vas trifing compared with the abb
urdity of his talking about the rela-
ionship that he supposed to exist be-
ween his two children.
when Sam first came home" he
aid to a friend, 81 feared Ethel would
lot forgive him for all the trouble he
had given us, but now she acts toward
him just like a bride and he like a
,oung husband. They kiss when he
,oes down to business In the morning
ind when he comes home in the even
ng. l never saw such loving broth
n and sister,"
While the old man was content to
i've, as he supposed. with his children.
lie often wished that one or the other
would marry that he might have lit
lie grandson to love him and cheer
him In his old age. But to gain this
ne must give up part of what he al
'eady enjoyed. An outsider must be
Introduced into the house. and this he
Knew would endanger the family peace
md comfort The thought Of bringing
n another woman appalled, him, for he
lad a theory that no woman could
,ome into a house without sooner or
alter taking over its management. But
lie saw no difficulty In introducing an
,ther man. So he occasionally limited
o his daughter that she should marry.
81 have no wish to marry. father"
The would say. IL am perfectly con-
ented as am. Why do you wish me