The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1917-05-10
The P Pr GAL
Return
But He Was
A Substitute
BY WILLARD BRAKEMAN

NE family. His mother died within a
1ew years, and her death left the old
man desolate indeed. His eyesight and
MS hearing were both impaired. His
Slaughter Ethel. poor girl, had hard
o1me with him. TO read to him was
d1hicult, since she was obliged to shout
and be 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 a broken down old man. She was
but eleven years old when her brother
went away and fourteen when her
mother died Wien at times she would
nave 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 a home that would
be her Own-and his.
One morning. there was a knock at
the door, Ethel was upstairs and did
not hear the summons. 1t sounded
Mr. Bartlett to hear. He went to the
door and opened 1t. There stood a
young man.
II am looking for the home Of Mr..
Bartlett said the stranger. Have l
struck the right house?'
Speak louder replied Bartlett, put
ting his hand to his ear. I'm hard Of
hearing
II am trying to find Mr. Bartlett.
and ! think you are he. judge by
the resemblance your SON.
my SOM"
-Yes. your son Sam"
~Samw
Yes"
"Oh, Sam. my boy, how could you
have left us as you did with never
word all these long years? You killed
your poor mother, and | have one foot
n the grave. How could you? How
could you?' g..
The father put his arms around tue
strangers neck and wept.
The visitor was standing in this alb.
Surd position, not knowing whether to
ningle his tears with those of the
weeping father or to laugh, when he
saw an attractive looking girl descend.
ing the staircase.
But III not reproach you, SAM"
continued Mr.. Bartlett. Il dare say
was severe with you, and 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
strong young arm and brain to sup
port him."
BY these words and the half amused.
half sympathetic look on the face of
the stranger Ethel understood that her
father had made mistake Dreading
to have him suddenly disa bused, fear
ang reaction consequent upon disap
pointment she gave the young man
meaning look and put a finger on her
lips as signal for silence Her ia
f1ep,ss back was to her, so he did not
see her. and she, wishing to release the
visitor from his embarrassing position.
laid her hand softly on the old mans
sboulder. He turned and saw her.
"Oh. Ethel" be exclaimed joyfully.
"who do you suppose this is? Your
long lost brother Sam has returned
He disengaged himself from his sup
posed son that Ethel might embrace
the prodigal. But Ethel stood mute.
"Forgiye him, Ethel. as | have for
given him. Forget the past and what
he might have been to us during the
years that are gone. 1t was l who
drove him away by my harshness.
Forgive him for my sake"
II forgive him, father" said Ethel.
But there was no warmth in the
words, nor did Ethel greet her broth
<r with a sisterly kiss. An expression
Of infinite pain crossed the fathers
face The stranger saw it and stepped
IN the breach
"Forgive me. Ethel" be said. II
have done very wrong"
He advanced to her with outstretch-
cd arms. Ethel drew back.
ETHEL" cried her father in an agony.
The stranger folded her in bis arms
and kissed her. Had the old man bet
ter eycsight he would have known by
the bushes that the kiss was not
brctherly and sisterly one. And had
not the two whose sight was perfect
strongly approved of each others per
sona appearance, had not each seen
In the others expression that approval,
Besides something akin to loves first
spark, probably the girl might not
have blushed. The old man put one
arm around his supposed son and the
ether. around his daughter, forcing
them to prolong their embrace.
THANK heaven. my dear children.
for this reunion!'
Father" said Ethel, "let us hear
what Sam has to say in explanation.
or, rather, l had better hear it first
and repeat it to you. You know you
have grown very deaf since he went
away. and he would have trouble max
ing you hear"
'No." protested the old man. Pm
not so deaf that can't hear people
who speak plainly. Sam won't have to
raise his voice at all If he doesn't mum
be his words"