The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-03-17
The Prodigal's !:
Return 3.
But He Was I
A Substitute !
BY WILLARD BRAKEMAN :


by, not communicating with them aft
erward. he wrecked the comfort of
the family. His mother died within
few years, and her death left the old
man desolate indeed. His eyesight and
his hearing were both impaired. His
daughter Ethel. poor girl. had hard
time with him. To read to him was
difficult. since she was obliged to shout.
and he could not see TO read himself
Ethel loved her father. but it was
natural that she should wish for some
thing more inspiring than taking care
of IA broken down old man. She was
but eleven years old when her brother
went away ANA fourteen when her
mother died. When at times she would
have a temporary respite from the
care of her father. like many another
girl. she would dream of the prince
who would come to marry her and give
her the comforts of home that would
be her own-and his.
One morning there was a knock at
the door. Ethel was upstairs ana did
not hear the summons. 1t sounded
again ana this time loud enough for
Mr.. Bartlett To hear. He went to the
door and opened it. There stood IL
young man.
Il am looking for the home of Mr..
Bartlett" said the stranger. Have
struck the right house,"
Speak louder" replied Bartlett, put
ting his hand to his ear. Pm hard of
hearing"
II am trying to find Mr. Bartlett.
and think you are he. | judge by
the resemblance your som
MY SOM"
Yes, your son Sam
SAM"
Yes"
"Oh, Sam. my boy, how could you
have left us as you did with never a
word all these long years? You killed
your poor mother, and | have one foot
In the grave. How could you? How
could your
The father put his arms around the
strangers neck and wept.
The visitor was standing in this alb
surd position, not knowing whether IL
mingle his tears with those OF the
weeping father or to laugh, when he
saw an attractive looking girl descend
ing the staircase.
But I'll not rcproach you, Sam,
| continued Mr. Bartlett Il dare say
was severe with you, and a spirited
boy won't stand too much correction
| I'm glad you've come back and to stay
haven't you? oh, stay with us
Ethel and are SO lonely. and we need
your help. Your old father needs d
strong young arm and brain to sup
port him."
BY these words ana the half amused
half sympathetic look on the face OF
! the stranger Ethel understood that hel
father had made a mistake. Dreadinl
f, to have him suddenly lisabused- fear
ing reaction consequent upon disap
pointment she gave the young man /,
meaning look and put finger on he
lips as signal for silence. Her ia
Tiers back was to her, so he did no
see her, and she. wishing to release tn,
visitor from his embarrassing position
laid her hand softly on the old mans
shoulder. He turned and saw her.
oh Ethel" he exclaimed joyfully
who do you suppose this is? You
long lost brother Sam has returned"
lie disengaged himself from his sup
posed son that Ethel might embrac,
the prodigal But Ethel stood mute.
Forgive him, Ethel, as have for
given him. Forget the past and wha
he might have been to us during tn
years that are gone. 1t was | VIII
drove him away 10y my harshness
Forgive him for my sake"
IL forgive him, father" said Ethel.
But there was no warmth in tn
words. nor did Ethel greet her broth
err with sisterly kiss. An expression
of infinite pain crossed the father
face. The stranger saw 1t and steppe
in the breach.
| Forgive me. Ethel" he said. -
| have done very wrong"
| lie advanced 10 ner Win OutSIretcI
| ed arms. Ethel drew back.
Ethel" cried her father in an agon,
The stranger folded her in his arm
and kissed her. Had the old man be-
ter eyesight he would have known b
the bushes that the kiss was not
brotherly and sisterly one. And ha
not the two whose sight was perfeC
strongly approved of each others pc
sonal appearance, had not each see
in the others expression that approva
besides something akin to loves fir
spark, probably the girl might NJ
have blushed The old man put on
arm around his supposed son and th
: other around his daughter. forcin
= them to prolong their embrace
Thank heaven. my dear children
for this reunionr
Father" said Ethel. let us hes
what Sam has 10 say in explanation
or. rather. | had better hear il fir.
and repeat it to you. You know yo
have grown very deaf since he wei
away. and he would have trouble MAJ
ing you hear"
M" prntaStod tha old man ~,