Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-02-24
MY BROTHERS.
SUBSTITUTE
A Secret Known to Two
Men. but Not to Their
- Wives
BY F. A. mitchell

Jim and are twins. We don't look
as much alike as we did when we
were young. because Jim's hair has
grown much grayer than mine and
I've a scar on my left cheek. But up
to thirty the members of our own fam
fly sometimes had trouble telling us
apart. ~t
There was breakdown in the fam
lily when Jim and were eighteen
years old. Father died without leav-
ing anything. and Jim and had TO
hustle. found a situation in one con
Germ and Jim in another Later was
sent away to establish a branch OF the
business In another city. while Jim re-
mained where he was. l hadn't seen
him for two years when heard that
he was Ill and In u hospital. The news
was too much for my ability to remain
away from him longer. 40 fixed things
up In my business for an absence. took
a train and ON arrival went from the
station direct 10 the hospital.
Jim had a private room. and was
shown to It by an attendant found
him in bed. but instead of showing eff
fects of an Illness | couldn't see but
that he looked as we'll as ever. He
was mighty glad to see me, as was
to see him. asked him to tell me
about himself and how It was thQt he
appeared so well, and yet confined to
his bed. He gave me one of those
frightened looks intended to impose ST.
lence. Then. pulling me down toward
him. he whispered in my ear:
II want to get out of this. Your
coming Is godsend Get Off your
clothes in hurry and tumble into bed.
I'm going to put them on and make
my way out. Nobody will know the
difference between you and me-"
He looked SO anxious and eager that
| Immediately began to hustle off my
clothes. and as fast as got out of them
Jim got Into them. AS soon as ! was
In bed and. Jim was dressed ] said,
Now tell me about It."
But Jim gave me another frightened
look. as much as to say that he couldn't
think of doing so. and was about to go
when | clutched his coattail and said:
For heavens sake, don't leave me
this way! Tell me how long I'm to
stay here anyway"
II don't dare take the time. If my
nurse should find US both here 1t would
prevent my getting out in your place.
She's liable to come in any minute"
''well, one thing you must do-attend
to my business for me-that is. If I'm
to be kept here any length of time"
''Ail right: I'll do It," he said. And
before I could get another word out OF
him he was gone.
He needn't have been In such hur-
ry. as 1t turned out. for his nurse didn't
come In for half an hour. AT the end
Of that time the door opened, and q
very pretty specimen of femininity en-
tered. She was dressed In a nurses
uniform Of spotless white. This was
very becoming to her complexion. which
had a lot Of red In 1t. Then. too, hei
eyes and hair were dark, and the con
trast with her dress and cap was
charming. 8i NW e
She came up to my bed. looked down
upon me sympathetically-l II
seemed to me-placed her hand on my
AOiGncdu-u Will, sui OhC-tnu pdiA
II really must report that you are
ready to be discharged. The house sur
geon will find this out pretty soon. anC
III get myself into trouble"
Here was pretty go. Jim had de
parted without giving me the slightes
hint what part to play. The only thing
l could do was to be noncommittal and
learn as much OF the situation as
could. 1t looked as though Jim hat
been making love to his nurse. had re
covered and. In order to remain In the
light Of her presence, had fingered II
the. hospital longer than was necessary
But how to reconcile this with his de
sire to escape without her knowing b,
had gone hadn't even an inkllng. TIL,
safest thing ! could think of to say
was:
do you really think SOP
81 certainly do Indeed, see no rea
son for continuing this deception an.
longer. though 1t has been delightful
experience. You know that ! love yo'
and have perfect confidence In tn
love, you have both shown and hav
expressed for me. We can meet a
often as my duties will permit untiiHw
can be married." .,a. stnu kf@
This was the principal part of 1t, ant
II IT hadn't been for Jim's desire t
substitute me for himself would hav
been all i cared to know. Though
was puzzled. my role was much easie
to play than before. I concluded to an
| gle for time. G-te
based my first definite remark Of
the probability that my Inference
were correct-namely, that lin. hal
had an affairseofa the heart with hi
nurse and prolonged his stay beyon
his recovery. Besides this. the situd
Zion was pleasing to me. and ] didn'
mind acting on the same idea.
THE period ] have passed here i
| your care" said. has been the haI
piest in my life. simply can't bear t
| end It," d.s1
| ut must end some time"
rGive me another day. Tomorrow
will try to make up my mind to leav
your.s M, l,s., .3.. ,s@,..
A panied expression at the prospec
tive parting passed over her face. Sh