Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-05-24


tell it to Ethel and she could repeat
as much of it as she liked to their ia
ther. The old man, opposed by both
his children, was obliged to give in
and left them together. AS soon as he
had gone Ethel closed the door and
looked inquiringly at the stranger.
II was trying to begin," he said, "the
delivery of a message from your late
brother. He was my partner in bust
ness in a western city, and l regret to
say that come to announce his DEATH"
Ethel sighed. 1t was rather that
hoped for support would not material
iZe than grief, for she scarcely remem-
bered her brother But the 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 Bartlets
career was, as Mason had said, 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 it must be
put off But she invited Mr.. Mason to
remain in the house-indeed, her father
would misunderstood her not doing sc
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
prodigal son, Ethel taking care to in
form her friends and acquaintance 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 it,
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 it was necessary that
Mason should return to his business
1t would not do to leave the old mani
behind, and if 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 it 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.
Months passed, and, although Mr..
Bartlets ears and eyes got no better.
his health was no worse. The difficult
ty of keeping the situation from him
was trif1ing 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
said to a friend, Il feared Ethel would
not forgive him for all the trouble he
had given u.s. 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 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 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 and this he
knew would endanger the family peace
and comfort. The thought of bringing
in another woman appalled, him. for he
had theory that no woman could
come into a 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.
! Il have no wish to marry. father"
| she would say. Il 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 child for company"
| Finally about year after the mar
II a