Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-06-17


humble bis words"
But the supposed Sam objected he
said that It was q long story he had
to tell and he was tired He would
tell IL to Ethel and she could repeat
as much Of IL as abe liked to theix
father. The old man, opposed by both
his children. was obliged TO give in
and left them together. Az soon as he
had gone Ethel closed the door and
looked inqufringly at the stranger.
Il was trying TO begin" he said,
"the delivery OF a message from your
late brother. He was my partner In
business In western city, and / re-
greet to say that come to announce
his death"
Ethel sighed II was rather that a
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,
assured her that her brothers interest
In the business would be sufficient 20
make her father and herself quite COM
Portable. The story Of Sam Bartlet's
career was, as Mason had said, a 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 mp 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 had taken In one Of his clerks
as partner. and there was no hurry
for his return. He remained with the
Bartlets as a 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 wero engaged.
which was his way Of proposing. Eth
ell didn't quite like 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 were very
much In love with each other. wished
to be married, and II was necessary
that Mason should return to bis busi-
ness. It 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 1t 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 It, and the three departed
the same day for their new home.
Months passed. and although Mr..
Bartiet's ears and eyes got no better
his health was no worse. The difilcul-
ty of keeping the situation from him
was trifIng 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 a friend. Il feared Ethel would
not forgive him for all the trouble he
had given ms, but now she acts toward
him just like q bride and he like
young husband. They kiss when he
goes down to business In the morning
and when he comes homo In the even
ing. never saw such a loving broth
or and sister"
While the old man was content to
live, as he supposed. with bis children.
ne OIptu Wibuou tuabs0ne OF INC Otucf
would marry that no might have 1T,
tic grandson to love him and cheer
him In his old age. But to gain this
he must give mp 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 marryT
'sWell. 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 took to his bed. which no never
again left His supposed sons abb
sence all day &C his business was
great trial to the invalid From the
time Mason went away In the morn
ing till his return in the evening the
~ ff<s.x x.xxxY1 x..s& ...N 49,. &.t o., k.g.x.