The Jasper weekly courier., 1918-08-30
STRANGELY Welded
By JESSIE &. sHERWIN.
1915. Western Newspaper
Union.)


waidron Morse seventy, worn out.
had come 10 Shell Beach 10 die. VIII
ton Revere. thirty. at Iife's choicest
phase. had come 10 reconstruct n brok-
en- life. Because the Que was exhaust
ed In mind and body and the other
world-weary. the mutual seriousness OF
manner and face attracted each 10 the
other. The older man. wheeled along
the beach in his invalid chair, looked
eagerly for the only sojourner at the
famous health resort who attracted
him because of his gravely sympathet-
ic ways.
There was n poise. gravity and clear
ness about the younger man that led
Mr.. Morse TO accept him as a person
he could rely upon.
The fact that he seemed TO be well
versed legally added TO Mr.. Morse's
regard for him. The old man was
wealthy. but his affairs had some-con-
plex features that disturbed him, in
view of his condition.
"All fear for" he told Revere, as
| that my daughter Ethel. If left alone In
the world, would be at the mercy or
self-interested persons who would not
guard her interests. II / could only
be sure of living until some pending
litigation is settled"
"Cheer up, dear friendl" Revere told
him. "You may live for many year
TO come" But the next day Morse
| @ol 70 10
we're to his bedside and seemed TO re-
ly upon his continued presence as
solace until his daughter, who was
! living with an aunt In the city, arrived.
| Revere was fascinated at his first
glimpse of the sweet, innocent face or
Ethel Morse He was sent for In ur-
gent haste. Mr.. Morse clasped his
hand fervently as he sat down by his
| bedside.
Revere he said, "you have been
| like q son to me. The doctors say I
may live but a few hours. / have
learned to esteem you. more. TO rely
upon you. Oh. my friend, help me
to die In peace by consenting TO cher
ish and look after my daughters inter-
ests."
81 will do all you may wish TO bene-
fit her." assured Revere.
More than thatl Revere, ] beg OF
you TO do what / suggest. She viii
have q fortune, she is wife any man
may be proud of. VIII you marry
herT
Revere was dumbfounded. He got
as far as "I dare not-I am" but
spasm of pain overlook MFR. Morse.
and Revere had to call for the doctor.
An hour later he was sent for again.
At glance he realized that Mr.. Morse
was dying. By his side was his daugh-
ter pale and benumbed with grief. a
stranger In clerical attire sat az 4 dis
tance.
Revere, 1t is oil arranged" painted
the dying man. Ethel has consented
she could not deny my last wish. Be
kind TO her, protect her. make her life
happy" And I'm the whirl Of hurried
events the words were spoken that
made Wilton Revere and Ethel Morse
husband and wife.
He did not intrude upon her until
/
for the home OF her aunt. AS he
helped her upon the train, he said,
simply, quietly. definitely:
81 shall soon be I'm Chicago. whittier
/ shall remove my Office 10 take up
the affairs OF the estate. as your father
has desired. When any business occa-
sion arises where II is necessary 10
consult with you, will notify you. l
would suggest that we keep the mar
riage secret"
There followed for the wife
strange experience. Only twice 10
year Revere came TO Sc her, and then
only long enough TO submit some legal
papers, and In the presence OF her
aunt. Then one day he called at her
home TO find her alone.
T am about to leave the city PEI
manently," he said. "having closed MP
all matters OF the estate. have a
confession to make. / am not your
husband; that marriage ceremony was
invalid"
She regarded him with speechless
amazement. 'T could not deny your
Nlclis Hc oha
fancied I saw a way to protect your
interests In the way ! have without
intruding upon you. Two years since
/ parted from my wife. On unworthy
woman, whom have never seen since.
but am still her legal husband"
"Oh. why did you not tell me be-
forel" suddenly breathed forth Ethel.
at was unmanly. II was cruel. for
L"
She hurried from the room In tears,
and Revere left the house In a strange
maze Of emotion. Could Ii be possible
that she cared for himf And he-oh.
that fatal tie, that shut him out OF
paradise
Hope, doubt, despair were In his
thoughts as, week later. he again
called at the home Of Ethel. There
was q certain plaintive expression In
her face that seemed 70 up5raid him.
81 learned only yesterday that my
wife died over year ago in a rail-
road wreck In Canada. II was pre-
vious 10 my marriage with you / am
; sorry IL this new complication dis