Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-06-15

say that come to announce his DEATH"
Ethel sighed. It was rather that a
hoped for support would not material |
lie than grief, for she scarcely remem-
bered her brother. But tho stranger,
who gave his name as George Mason,
assured her that her brothers interest
In the business would be sufficient to
make her father and herself quite COM
Portable. The story Of Sam Bartlet's
career was. as Mason had said, a long
one. and after giving It to her the
question came up as to what course
to pursue in the matter Of breaking the
news Of Sans death to the father
Ethel could not make up her mind to
tell the old man that his son, instead
of having returned to him, was dead.
At any rate, she felt that 1t must be
put of. But she invited Mr.. Mason to
remain in the house-indeed, her father
would misunderstood her not doing 80
until he returned to the west. The
old man was informed that Sam was
in business In the west and must re-
turn there, but possibly he might take
his father and sister with him. George
Mason before leaving his business had
taken In one of his clerks as partner,
and there was no hurry for his return
He remained with the Bartlets as a
prodigal son. Ethel taking care to In
form her friends and acQuaintances as
to the true state Of the case.
Several weeks passed, and Mason
made no move to return to business.
Ethel was beginning to fear that some
stupid person might let the cat out of
the bag to her father. Besides this,
playing brother and sister by two per-
sons who were not related was not
likely to go on without criticism. To
guard against any such issue George
Mason told Ethel that they had better
announce that they were engaged,
which was his way Of proposing. Ethel
didn't quite like that way Of doing 1t,
but she acquiesced
Every day it became more risky to
disabuse the old man and confess the
deception. He was failing rapidly, and
It was feared that the shock OF know.
ing that his son had not returned to
him. but was dead, would kill him.
Mason and Ethel, who were very much
In love with each other, wished to be
married. and 1t was necessary that
Mason should return to his business
II would not do to leave the old man
behind, and IL they took him with
them, blind as he was, they could not
live together as man and wife without
his knowledge OF their relationship.
The puzzle seemed insoluble.
However. though Mr.. Bartlett would
not solve II by dying, he grew so blind
that the young couple decided TO be
married and take him west with them
without letting him know the secret
The ceremony was performed private
ly. where he would know nothing
about It, and the three departed the
same day for their new home. o.
Months passed, and. although Mr..
Bartlet's ears and eyes got no better.
his health was no worse. The Difficult.
ty of keeping the situation from him
was trillng compared with the absurd
ty of his talking about the relationship
that he supposed to exist between his
two children.
when Sam first came home" he
snld TO n friend. II feared Ethel would
not forgive him for all the trouble he
had given us. but now she acts toward
him just like bride and he like a
young husband They kiss when he
goes down to business In the morning
and when he comes home In the even
ing. never saw such a loving brother
and sister"
While the old man was content to
live. as he supposed, with his children,
he often wished that one or the other
would marry, that he might have a lit
tie grandson to love him and cheer
him In his old age But to gain this
he must give up a part Of what he al
ready enjoyed An outsider must be
introduced into the house nnd this he
knew would endanger the mlly peace
and comfort. The though, Of bringing
In another woman appalled, him, for he
had a theory that no woman could
come into house without sooner or
later taking over its management. But
he saw no difficulty In introducing an
other man. So he occasionally limited
to his daughter that she should marry.
II have no wish to marry, father"
she would say. II am perfectly con.
tented as am. Why do you wish me
to marry"
well, you see, I'm lonely during the
long days when Sam is at business, and
I'd like to have a child for company"
Finally about a year after the mar.
rage the old man gave out. One day
he took to his bed, which he never
again left His supposed sons alb.
sence all day at his business was a
great trial TO the invalid From the
time Mason went away In the morn
ing till his return In the evening the
patient would walt and watch for him. |
At last when the candle Of life was
pickering low the dying man heard q
child's cry
whats thatT he asked, starting up
Father" said Ethel, that's little
Sam, named for you. the third Of tho
line"
Little saml What do you meanT
Father. have confession TO
make"
But she could not make II. She knew |
that her father had but few mlnuteg
10 live. IIurrylng out Of tho room, she |
returned carrying her boy. Taking him
10 his grandfather, she held him 80
that the old man could kiss him. He
kissed the child and died