The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-06-11
WHERE DECEIT
WAS JUSTIFIED
Stratagem Used to Save an
Old Man From Misery.

on the latch of house In the country
admired the cheerful appearance o.
the place, then knocked and was ad
mitted by an old man.
"You are Deacon Meriyale. are vol
notg asked the visitor.
Speak louder. / am hard Of hear
Ing"
Are you Deacon Merivale" the
questioner repeated, raising his voice
Still he was unheard and shouted the
question In the mans ear.
Eyes; my names Merivale.@
>'You had son, Edgar, who ran
nway and
Edgar? What do you know about
EDGAR
81 am Cigars
s'You Edgar? Can it be that my son
has come home to be with me during
the last few years have to liver
81 was going to say that / am Ed
gar's''-
my boyl My boy" sobbed the old
man, falling on the strangers neck
Meanwhile the two had drifted from
the hall into the living room. AS the
visitor looked over the old mans Shout
der door opened, and he saw the
face and figure Of a young girl on the
threshold. The situation was awk-
ward The deacon did not see the
girl or hear her. She looked at the
newcomer for an explanation.
HE thinks I'm Edgar" he said.
"A quick intelligence passed over the
girls face.
Don't try to disabuse his mind"
she said. HE has been talking Of my
brother continually of late"
This was great relief to the sup
posed son. Now that the responsible
ty was on another he resigned him
self to play his part.
Father, forgive me-" he said. with
feigned emotion.
The old man raised his head and saw
his daughter.
Emily" he cried, Edgar. your
brother, has returned to u.s.
Here was new embarrassment
Any brother returning from long abb
sence would naturally take his sister
in his arms for an affeetionate en-
brace. Any sister would naturally fly
to the arms of her brother.
Daughter" said the old man sc.
verely. Il have forgiven Edgar. 1t is
my wish that you welcome him home"
The spurious Edgar advanced peni-
tently and, gently putting his arms
about the girl. who blushed red as =
rose. kissed her.
That night after the old man had
gone to bed. thankfulness in his heart
at the return of his son, the stranger
told Emily Merivale the story he had
tried to tell her father Edgar Meri-
vale and Frank Tucker were joint
prospectors in Colorado. Having ac-
quired valuable mine. 1t was decided
that Tucker should go east and organ
lie a company to work 1t. Just before
Tucker left Merivale died, having
charged his partner to bear the news
to his father and sister. Emily dared
not at present announce 1t to her ia
Their. She determined to advise her
neighbors of the deception and for the
present keep 1t up.
Tucker was successful in his bust. |
ness efforts and was making prepare.
lions to leave for the west. One even
ing Deacon Merivale entered the living
room suddenly TO find Emily In Tuck.
ers arms.
.It beats ALL" he said at church so.
ciable the next evening, what broth
erly and sisterly love there is between
my boy and girl"
This speech was not long in getting |
to the ears of the pair. What was to
be done? After long deliberation they
decided to be privately married and,
telling the old man that Edgar desired
his sister to go west with him, take
their departure together.
1t was not an easy matter to per-
petrate an act that must be known to
all the world save one person and he
Of the nearest relationship, but the
place was small, and every one thought
1t would be pity to break the news
Of Edgar's death to the old man, he
his son had come home to
him. 1t made Emily's heart bleed to
leave her father alone, but there was
no way to avoid doing so except by a
The couple were married
In the dominies study. then went home
and babe adieu to the father.
From their western home they wrote
the deacon that the mine was doing
famously and as soon as its success
was assured they would bring him out
20 Join them or return to him. His
leighbors were much interested In
hearing the old man talk about his
,hildren's affection for each other-so
yreat, in fact, as to render them insep-
lrable. But as time passed and they
neither returned nor sent for him he
to make them a visit He
one day, and his neighbors
It once inferred where he had gone. It
vas generally admitted in the village
hat the secret would be out, but all
loped that the shock would not break
he old mans heart. In few weeks
{ was announced that he had returned.
The first person to meet him was the
dominic. :
"well. deacon" asked the latter. :
have you visited the runaways?" !
"Yes." replied the deacon. land found c
hem prosperous and happy. But ma
ure will have its way. Emily. to make :
- o.. - eoorf6na q, dnra+4n, 49, ne |