Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1915-12-23
D. RUM GRAHAM


the late drive.
Perhaps II was that Brewers voice
was very like Hugh Adams; perhaps
the old lady. who was listening on the
door above, wished that her son was
below. At any rate, she mistook the
conner for Hugh and called out feebly:
my boy. my boyl Come to your
motherF
Muriel looked at the officer in de-
SOAR. Brewer saw the situation and
resolved to stave or the critical mo
ment Mounting the stairs. he suffered
the poor mother to put her arms about
him and weep on his shoulder. MI
riel, who realized that the deception
would soon be exposed, ran up the
stairs and, separating the two. said:
'-There, there, mother. You are not
strong enough to bear this. Hugh, 60
below. viii take mamma back to her
bed, and she may see you again later
Brewer, who had shown signs Of
breaking down under exposure In the
trenches, had been given a three weeks
leave that he might recuperate. Hav-
ing been thus suddenly drawn into o
deception, neither he nor Muriel could
see a way out Of II. Muriel, In add
ton to her grief at the death OF her
brother, now had the burden Of keep
ing up a deception which, If revealed.
she feared would cause her mothers
death. After disposing Of her mother,
when she had separated Brewer from
her, she went down stairs, and the
two held q consultation as to what
should be done next 1t was decided
to ten Mrs. Adams that Hugh was
Obliged to report himself at q certain
military station soma distance from.
the. Adams home, that he had gone to
do 90 and could not get back till the
next day. :.
Before his return Murfei summoned
the doctor and Informed him of. the
situation. He said that his patient
was 1t a. very low ebby but he hoped
! she. would soon be stronger he there
i. fora. advised. keeping. up.. II possible.
the deception TIL she was In q better
canditiouy to- bear the shock He vol
vatsSredS to assist IN this by telling
MIns Adams. that he would, not CON
sent to-, her receiving her SON more
I than. oncesa day and that only FOR
fen minutes, she must be kept vsry
qhiat ana mot excite herself.
4 This helped matters very much. 20
FAR az keeping up the deception was
concerned, for 1t would have been i'm
possible for Mrs. Adams and Brewer
to be much together without an expo
sure. Unfortunately Mira. Adams did
not improve. Indeed, she became
weaker every day. Lieutenant Brewer
was kept from his own home except
when an excuse could be invented for
his leaving the Adamses. But for this
he was not over sorry since he found
the playing Of brother to Muriel Adams
very attractive, Then, too, Muriel
needed much comforting. he longed
to take her In his arms, smooth her
hair and whisper encouraging words
in her ear.
The constant watching lest Mrs.
Adams should become possessed OF
their secret also tended to draw them
together. Every day when Brewer Wis
tied Mrs. Adams Muriel was with them
and contrived to render 1t unnecessary
that he should do much Of the talking
fearing that her mother would discov
er the deception from his voice. She
also coached him before the meeting
took place and led the conversation
into such channels as would be safe
All these things drew the bonds be
tween Brewer and Mural closer.
Meanwhile Mrs. Adams was sinking
and the day for Brewers return to thu
front was approaching. The departure
of her supposed son affected the invalid
adversely, and the leavetaking wai
i dreaded by all. The doctor and hel
daughter united in begging her to le
the supposed Hugh go without q good
n by, but ahe would not consent 70
I two or three days before the, day se
for the parting abe was slowly sinking
and when the hour came and he wen
into the sickroom with Muriel she wa
dying
n The two were kneellng beside he
bed when she said to them:
II cannot bear to leave you. my chi
dren, feeling that you are to be sep
grated. Promise me. Hugh, that I
you outlive this dreadful war you VII
always give Muriel ilrsk place IN yop
heart, that no other person shall eve
supplant her and that yon WIN cheriSl
her 90 long as you both 1--we.
II promise" replied TIE yaung man
and the dying woman knew By the feI
vent tone IN which be spoke that b
would keep his word
s. died one who Huppo9 she Va
tnkinz leave Of the son who bad a
fsSllv eone before her. Arnold Brswe
kslaInsa In command lsqFinR en- q
N -. =. NsseI~fNz Mr4t4NN