The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-07-11
! II
1t Was Long Maintained and
Ended Only In Death
By HELOIsE BRAYTON
Copyright by American Press Assoc
citation, 1911.

L.
Ethel loved her father, but it wai
natural that she should wish for some
thing more inspiring than taking care
of 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 home that
would be her own-and his.
One morning there was a knock at
the door. Ethel was upstairs and did
not hear the summons 1t sounded
again and this time loud enough for
Mr.. Bartlett to hear. He went to the
door and opened it. There stood a
young man.
81 am looking for the home of Mr..
Bartlett" said the stranger Have !
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 think you are he. judge by
the resemblance your SON.
MY son?'
yes, your son Sam.'
"Sam?
yes
'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 your
The father put his arms around the
strangers neck and wept.
The visitor was standing in this abb
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 spirited
boy won't stand too much correction.
I'm glad you've come back and to
stay-hayen't you? oh. stay with usl
Ethel and are SO lonely. and we need
your help. Your old father needs
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 her
father had made mistake. Dreading
to have him suddenly disabused, fear
ing reaction consequent upon disap-
pointnIent, she gave the young man
a meaning look and put finger on her
lips as a signal for silence Her ia
theirs back was to her, so he did not
see her, and she. wishing to release
the visitor from his embarrassing DO
sition. laid her hand softly on the old
mans shoulder. He turned and saw
her
''Oh. Ethel" he exclaimed joyfully,
whom do you suppose this is? Your.
long lost brother Sam has returned"
He disengaged himself from his sup
posed son that Ethel might embrace
the prodigal But Ethel stood mute
Forgive him. Ethel. as l have for
given him. Forget the past and what
he might have been TO US during the
years that are gone. 1t was l who
drove him away by my harshness. For
give him for my sake"
II forgive him, father" said Ethel.
But there was no warmth in the
words. nor did Ethel greet her brother
with sisterly kiss. An expression
Of infinite pain crossed the fathers
face. The stranger saw 1t and step
ped in the breach.
Forgive me, Ethel" he said. 81
have done very wrong"
He advanced to her with outstretch-
ed arms. Ethel drew back.
"Ethelr' cried her father In an ago
ny.
The stranger folded her In his arms
and kissed her. Had the old man
better eyesight he would have known
by the bushes that the kiss was not
a brotherly and sisterly one. And had
not the two whose sight was perfect
strongly approved of each others per-
sonal appearance, had not each seen
In the others expression that ap-
proval, besides something akin to
loves first spark, probably the girl
might not have blushed The old man
put one arm around his supposed son
and the other around his daughter,
forcing them to prolong their en-
brace
''Thank heaven. my dear children.
for this reunion
"Father," said Ethel, '1et us hear
what Sam has TO say in explanation,
or, rather. had better hear 1t first
and repeat it to you. You know you
have grown very deaf since he went
away. and he would have trouble
making you hear"
''No." protested the old man. 'Tm
NOT so dear that / can't hear people
who speak plain. Sam won't have to
raise his voice at all If he doesn't
his words"
But the supposed Sam objected. He
said that 1t was long story he had
to tell and be was tired. he would
tell 1t to Ethel and she could repeat
as much of it as she liked to their
father. The old man. opposed by both
bis 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.
Il was trying to begin" he said,
the delivery of message from your
late brother. He was my partner In
business in western city, and re-
greet to say that l come to announce
his death"
Ethel sighed 1t 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 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 it to her the
question came up as TO what course
10 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. 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 be