Smyrna times., 1911-06-21

49, 0CHAA
who speak plain. Sam won't have to
raise his voice at all if be doesn't
humble his words"
But the supposed Sam objected. He
said that it was long story he had
TO tell and he was tired. he would
tell it to Ethel and she could repeat
as much of it 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.
Il 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-
gret to say that l come to announce
his death"
Ethel sighed. 1t was rather that a
hoped for support would not material
iZe 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 |
i'll the business would be sufficient to |
make her father and herself quite COM
Portable The story of Sam Bartlets |
career was, as Mason had said. a long
one. and after giving it 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 off. 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
4I,,%
= which was his way of proposing. Eth
ell didn't quite like that way of doing
= it, but she acquiesced.
Every day it became more risky tC
disabuse the old man and confess the
deception. He was failing rapidly
y and it was feared that the shock OF
knowing that his son had not return
ed to him. but was dead. would xii
him Mason and Ethel, who were very
much in love with each other, wished
!, to be married, and it was necessar!
that Mason should return to his bust
;, ness. 1t would not do to leave the ole
man behind. and if they took him will
them, blind as he was. they could no
= live together as man and wife withou
|
=, The puzzle seemed insOluble.
- However though Mr.. Bartlett woul
not solve by dying. he grew S
- blind that the young couple decided t
- be married and take him west wit
them without letting him know tn
u, secret. The ceremony was performe
VI privately. where he would know notf
ct ing about j.. and the three departe
lg the same Y for their new home.
IT. Months passed, and although Nj
p Bartlet's ears and eyes got no bette
an his health was no worse. The difficu
er ty of keeping the situation from hir
IA was tritiing compared with the al
ot surdity of his talking about the rels
sc tionship that he supposed to exist bt
10 tween his two children.
I'D "When Sam first came home" b
w said to a friend. II feared Ethel woul
not forgive him for all the trouble b
ly, had given us, but now she acts towar
ur him just like a bride and he like
; young husband. They kiss when h
I'D goes down to business in the mornin
ce and when he comes home in the evel
ing. never saw such a loving brotl
or- er and sister"
lat While the old man was content
he live. as he supposed. with his children
ho he often wished that one or the Otht
or would marry that he might have II
tie grandson to love him and chez
him in his old age. But to gain TIL
he he must give up part of what he a
Ter ready enjoyed. An outsider must |
on introduced into the house. and this
RS knew would endanger the family peaC
en- and comfort. The thought of bringir
in another woman appalled, him. for
81 had theory that no woman cou
come into a house without sooner (
ch- later taking over its management. 81
he saw no difficulty in introducing a
CO. other man. SO he occasionally hintt