Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1912-11-14
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 n scar on my left cheek. But up
to thirty the members of our own fam
lily sometimes had trouble telling us
apart.
There was a breakdown in the fam
iy when Jim aud 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-
NAMED where he was. | hadn't seen
him l0r two years when | heard that
he was I'll and in a hospital. The news
was too much for my ability to remain
away from him longer. so fixed things
up in my business for an absence. took
train and on arrival went from the
station direct TO the hospital,
Jim had a private room, and | was
shown TO it by an attendant found
him in bed. but instead Of showing ef
fects of an Illness | couldn't see but
that he looked as well as ever. lie
was mighty glad TO see me. as was
to see him. | asked him to tell me
about himself and how 1t was that he
appeared so well and yet confined to
10 xfA ma 80
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, Your
coming is n godsend. Get of 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
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"
ii don't dare take the time. II my
nurse should find us both here it would
prevent my getting out In your place
She's liable to come in any minute"
We'll, one thing you must do-attend
to my business for me-that is, IL I'm
to be Kept here any length of time"
"Ali 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 a bur
ry, as it turned out, for his nurse didn't
come in for half an hour. At the end
OF that time the door opened, and a
very pretty specimen OF femlnlnity en-
tered. She was dressed In a nurses
uniform of spotless white. This was
very becoming to her complexion. which
had lot of red in It. Their. 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, it
seemed TO me--placed her hand on my
forehead-a warm, soft one-and said:
Il really must report that you are
ready to be discharged. The house sur
geon will find this out pretty soon. and
I'll get myself into trouble"
Here was pretty go. Jim had de-
parted without giving me the slightest
hint what part to play. The only thing
could do was to be uoncommittal and
learn as much OF the situation as
could. 1t looked as though Jim had
been making love 10 his nurse, had re-
covered and, In order 70 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 inkling. The
safest thing could think Of to say
was.
DO you really think 500"
II certainly do Indeed, | see no rea-
son for continuing this deception any
longer, though it has been delightful
experience. You know that love you
and ] have perfect confidence in the
love you have both shown and have
expressed for me. We can meet as
often rs my duties will permit Until we
can be married"
This was the principal part Of 1t, and
II it hadn't been for Jim's desire TO
substitute me for himself would have
been an / cared to know Though
was puzzled. my role was much easier
TO play than before concluded to an
gle for time
based my first definite remark on
tie probability that my differences
were correct--namely that Jim had
had an affair OF the heart With his
nurse and prolonged his stay beyond
his recovery Besides this The situa'
ton was pleasing to me. and ! didn't
mind acting % the same idea
The period ! have passed here IN
your care" I said. has been the hap
pest In my life I simply can't bear 70
end it,"
ct must end some time"