Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-07-26
n
Deception
h Was Long Maintained and
Ended Only In Death
BY HELOISE BRAYTON
Copyright by Americas Press Asso-
citation. lN1.
BY HELoIsE BRAYToN
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. lN1.

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wheM Sam Bartlett at sixteen went
away from home without bidding his
parents or his little sister Ethel good
by fnot communicating with them
afterward), he wrecked the comfort Of
the family. His mother died within
few years, and her death left the old
his hearing were both impaired His
daughter Ethel. poor girl. had hard
time with him. To read TO him was
difficult, since she was obliged to shout.
and he could not see to read himself.
Ethel loved her father. but 1t was
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 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-anu MS
One morning there was knock at
the door Ethel was upstairs and did
not hear the summons. IL 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 l
struck the right houseT'
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 I think you are be. I Judge BY
the resemblance your SOM
my sonr'
Yes. your son Sam"
'Samr'
"Yes."
"Oh. Sam. my boy. how could you
have left us as you did with never
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 alb
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 q spirited
boy won't stand too much correction
Pm glad you've come back and to
stay-haven't you? oh. stay with us
Ethel and are SO lonely. and we need
your help. Your old father needs a
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 a mistake. Dread!ng
to have him suddenly disabused. fear
ing reaction consequent upon disap-
pointment, she gave the young man
meaning look and put finger on her
lips as a signal for silence Her ia
see her. and she. wishing to release
the visitor from his embarrassing po-
sit1on. 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 have for
given him. Forget the past and what
be might have been to us during the
years that are gone. 1t was 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 a sisteriy kiss. An expression
Of infinite pain crossed the fathers
face. The stranger saw It and step
ped in the breach.
Forgive me. Ethel" he said II
have done very wrong"
He advanced to her with outstretch-
ed arms. Ethel drew back.
-Ethelv' 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
4 brotherly and sisteriy 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 bis daughter.
forcing them to proiong their en-
brace.