Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-04-30
MY BROTHERS:
SUBSTITUTE
A Secret Known to Two
Men, but Not to Their
Wives
BY F. A. Mitchell

a
BY F. A. Mitchell
SaxAxAAAAAAas,sAAasAAAASAAAs
Jim and are twins. We don't looI
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 VI
to thirty the members Of our own fam
liz sometimes had trouble telling uf
apart.
There was q breakdown in the fam
lis when Jim and were eighteen
years old. Father died without leav
Ing anything. and Jim and I had te
hustle. found situation in one con
Germ and Jim In another. Later was
sent away to establish branch Of the
business In another city. while Jim re
mained where he was. hadn't seer
him for two years when heard tha
he was iii and In a hospital. The news
|. was too much for my ability to remair
away from him longer, 50 fixed things
up In my business for an absence, tool
a train and on arrival went from the
station direct to the hospital.
Jim had a private room, and l was
shown to 1t by an attendant. found
him In bed. but instead Of showing ef
fects of an illness ! couldn't see but
that he looked Us well as ever. he
was mighty glad to see me, as l was
to see him. asked him to tell me
about himself and how 1t was that be
appeared so well and yet confined t.
his bed. He gave me one Of those
frightened looks intended to impose 81
lence Then. pulling me down toward
him. he whispered In my ear:
II want to get out Of this. YOul
coming Is godsend. Get Off youI
clothes in n 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 coattall and said:
"For heavens sake, don't leave me
this way! Tell me how long I'm to
stay here anyway"
IL don't dare take the time. II my
nurse should lind 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. II I'm
to be kept here any length Of time"
"All right: I'll do It." he said. And
before could get another word out Of
him he was gone.
He needn't have been In such hur.
ry, Us 1t turned out. for his nurse didn't
come in for half an hour. At the end
Of that time the door opened. and Il
very pretty specimen Of femininity ell
tered. She was dressed In nurse 5
uniform Of spotless white. This was
very becoming to her complexion. which
had q lot of red In II. Then. too. her
eyes and hair were dark, and the con-
trast with her dress and cap was
charming
She came up to my bed, looked down
upon me sympathetically-lovingly. II
seemed to me-placed her hand on my
forehead--a warm, soft one-aud said:
II really must report that you are
ready to be discharged. The house sur,
geon will end this out pretty soon, aud
III get myself into trouble"
Here was a pretty CO. Jim had de-
parted without giving me the slightest
hint what part to play. The only thing
! could do was TO be noncommittal and
learn as much OF the situation as
could. 1t looked as though Jim had
been making love to his nurse, had re-
covered and. In CIDER to remain In the
light of her presence. had fingered In
the hospital longer than was necessary.
But how to reconcile this with his de.
sire to escape without her knowing he
had gone hadn't even an inkllpg. The
safest thing could think Of to say
was:
do you really think soT
II certainly do. Indeed, see no rea'
son for continuing this deception any
longer though 1t has been delightful
experience. You know that love you
vnd have perfect confidence In the
tove you have both shown and have
expressed for me. We can meet as
often as my duties will permit until we
can be married"
This was the principal part Of 1t, and
If II hadn't been for Jim's desire to
substitute re for himself would have
been all | cared to know. Though
was puzzled. my role was much easier
to play than before. I concluded to an
gle for time.
! based my first definite remark on
the probability that my differences
were correct-nnmely. that Jim had
had an affair Of the heart with his
nurse and prolonged his stay beyond
his recovery Besides this. the situa
ion was pleasing to me. and ! didn't
mind acting on the same idea.
THE period have passed here In
your care" said. has been the hap
piest In my life. ! simply can't bear to
end II"
ut must end some time"
Give me another day. Tomorrow
will try to make up my mind to leave
you"
A pained expression at the prospec'
tive parting passed over her face. She
bent down and. placing her pink lips
on mine. gave me a delicious kiss. II
seemed that all the joys in the world
were concentrated In those few mo
ments Then. saying that she would
20 and bring my noon meal. she left me
Never In my life have | been placed
in such quandary. Ny own deal
twin brother had left uie to personats
himself with a woman he loved and
who loved him. didn't know wheth
or was acting both dishonorably and
unbrotherly to him or not. He had moi
cOnflded the truth to me. He had ex
pected that tho girl would mistake me
for him, but had the position In which
this mistake would place her and me-