The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-06-05
THE IMPOSTER
BY AGNES G. BROGAN..


changing the we!l~arranged routine of
his home. was unpieasing.
From his boyhood he had been sorry
for the sister whose fmpulsive act had
exiled her by stern fathers decree
from her family. Love" had been
Elizabeth's excuse, the fact Of an
elOpement for love might have been
overlooked by The strict old minister
but to desert her own for q travelling
vaudeville singer, that was offense be-
yOnd pale OF forgiveness. To others,
the heralded name of Bryan Mcclure,
might bring q memory Of Irish songs
sung with haunting sweetness; to old
Robert Carvel, the name spelled dis
grace. And so Elizabeth had remained
away and the heart OF her schoolboy
brother was filled with resentment.
"You will try to make it up to her."
his mother had whispered at the last,
and here, today, was his first chance OF
fulfilling that promise. During the
years that he had been alone, Robert
Carvel had been unable to learn news
of his sister, Bryan Mcclure had disap-
ing letter before him bore that name;
MORA Bryan Mcclure, 1T was signed SO
this was his sisters child Her father
was dead she wrote, her dear mother
had died long ago, and she wanted to
come and live with him. "Not always"
the girl added reassuringly, "just until
you can help me to a start in life"
hn hn1 hn lot In
a labOred spirit Of welcome, Rev. Rob
ert went to conciliate his housekeeper.
Mrs. MOffit disliked innovations.
MORA Mcclure replied promptly.
"She would arrive at the parsonage
upon the following evening"
Nervously apprehensive, the minis
ter prepared to meet the incoming
train; one must be lenient in ones ex-
pectations of vaudeville singers
daughter. He fervently hoped that his
sisters influence had predominated.
His was q critical flock; the inmates
of their pastors home were expected
to be above reproach. And even when
MORA came toward him with her
pretty smile, he was not convinced.
There was in fact something dashingly
out of the ordinary III her entire cos
tune, in the unusual arrangement Of
her cOal-black hair.
Safely ensconced before the study
fire, the girl threw off her cloak; Rob
ert stared in speechess dismay at the
bright rOse-cOlOred frock.
"What is it?" asked Mora, troubled
1--WE dress more quietly here" he
stammered
She laughed, then answered, sudden
ly serious
81 will please you; there is a gray
dress in my trunk"
Thereafter she was studiously
garbed in gray. Gray upon MORA
seemed to acquire festive air.
She had laughed aside his first sug-
gestion of calling him uncle"
"You are SO much younger than ex-
pected," she said, 81 think 1 shall call
, you Robert"
Once, coming unexpectedly through
a rear entrance, the sound of singing
fell upon his ears. Mrs. Moffit held up
= warning niger.
''The voice of that girl would coax
the birds from the trees" she said,
"but she is shy about your hearing"
AS the last lifting note died away,
Robert Carvel went in and stood look
ing down upon the gray-clad figure at
the piano. His face grew white as the
girl raised her own, wonderingly, then
in sudden overwhelming wave of ten
derness, he bent and kissed her
With distressed cry, MORA jumped
to her feet.
"You should not have done that"
she murmured.
But why nOt?" huskily questioned
the minister. "You are-my sisters
child"
Then Mora covered her face with
her hands.
II am not" she declared cit has all
been an acted lie. I so longed for a
home, real home and good friends l
expected to find you older, more like
daddy, to make you happy, as 1 had
made him. / loved your sister Eliza
beth; she raised me. From a child I
called her mother; I was three years
old when she first saw me- My father
was widower" MORA smiled through
her tears. "She used to tell me that
she had fallen in love with me, as well
as with my father. Oh! we were
happy! Now, l will go away. I have
been an imposter. Between you and
me- there is not the slightest tie. I
can sing" she added hurriedly, "and
take care Of myself There is an offer
waiting for me in Chicago. Bryan Nc
Clure's daughter will find welcome.
they say" Impulsively MORA put out
her hands,
"Good-by. Will you forgive me?"
Robert Carvel took the trembling
hands in a firm clasp, steadily his
shining eyes met hers.
''Now," he said slowly, 81 under
stand! Understand why I have stood
outside in the darkness listening to
hear you sing, why 1 have hurried
through my daily duties in very fever
of JOY at the knowledge that you would
be here to greet me- It was love
MORA, love; and since that kiss a mo-
ment ago, can you say again there is
no tie between usr" And after a long
time the girl raised her radiant face
from her lovers shoulder.