The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-06-16
n
Deception
It Was Long Maintained and
Ended Only In Death
By HELOISE BRAYTON
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

few years, and her death left the OLE
man desolate indeed. His eyesight ant
his hearing were both impaired. Hi
daughter Ethel, poor girl. had a hare
time with him. To read to him wal
dinicult 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-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.
II 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; 'Pm hard of
hearing"
Pm trying to find a Mr.. Bartlett,
and think you are he. I judge by
the resemblance your SON.
MY son?'
Eyes. your son SAM"
"Sam?"
EYES,"
"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 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 III not reproach you. SAM"
continued Mr.. Bartlett. 81 dare say ]
was severe with you. and a spirited
boy won't stand too much correction.
I'm 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."
: nv ..iese words and the half amused, !
half sympathetic look on the face Of
the stranger Ethel understood that her |
father had made mistake. Dreading |
ito have him suddenly disabused, fear |
ing a reaction consequent upon disap-
pointment, 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 po |
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 ! 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"
1T forgive him. father" said Ethel.
But there was no warmth In the |
words. nor did Ethel greet her brother
with a 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.
"Ethely' 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 |
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 APP |
prevail. besides something akin to
loves first spark. probably the CIR,
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 reunionw
Father" said Ethel, '1et us hear
what Sam has to say In explanation. |
or. rather, had better hear It first |
and repeat 1t to you. You know you |
have grown very deaf since he went |
away, and he would have trouble |
making you hear"
mo-" protested the old man. I'm