Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-11-15
STRANGELY Welded
BY JESSIE E. sHERwIN.

had come TO Shell Beach to die. Will
ton Revere. thirty, at life's choicest
phase. had come to reconstruct a brok-
en- life. Because the one wns exhaust
ed in mind and body and the other
world-weary. the mutual seriousness OF
manner and face attracted each to 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-
- ways.
there wat a poise. gravity and clear
ness about the younger man that led
Mr.. Morse to accept him as q person
he could rely upon.
The fact that he seemed to be well
versed legolly added to Mr.. Morse's
regard for him. The old man was
wealthy, but his affairs had some COM
plex features that disturbed him, In
view of his condition.
"All I fear for" he told Revere. Nts
hat my daughter Ethel, II left alone In
the world. would be at the mercy OF
s~elf-interested persons who would not
guard her interests. - could only
be sure Of living until some pending
litigation Ia settled"
"Cheer up. dear friendf" Revere told
him. you may live for many q year
to come" But the next day Morse
was taken fatally Ill. He called Re
we're to his bedside and seemed to re-
ly upon his continued presence a. q
solace until his daughter. who was
living with In aunt In the city, arrived.
Revere was fascinated at his first
glimpse of the sweet, innocent face Of
Ethel Morse. He was sent for In ur-
gent haste. Mr.. Morse clasped his
hand f~ervently rs he sat down by his
bedside.
Revere he said. "you have been
like a son to me. The doctors say !
may live but a few hours. I 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."
II will do all you may wish to bene-
1T her." assured Revere.
More than thati Revere, I beg Of
you to do what I suggest. She will
have q fortune, she is a wife amy man
may be proud of. Will you marry
herr"
Revere was d~umbfounded. He got
az far as az dare not-I am" but q
spGsm of pain overlook Mr.. Morse.
and Revere had to call for the doctor.
An hour later he was sent for again.
Al a glance he realized that Mr.. Morse
was dying. BY his side was his daush-
ter, pale aud benumbed with grief. A J
stranger in clerical attire sat at a dis
lance.
Revere, It is all arranged" painted
The dying man. ethel has consented
-she could not deny my last wish. Be
kind to her, protect her. make her life
And In the whirl Of hurried
the words were spoken that
Wilton Revere and Ethel Morse
1se5and and wife.
He did not intrude upon her until
he funeyal was ove and she started !
For the home of her aunt. As he
helped her upon the train, he said,
quietly, definitely:
"T shall 1901 be in Chicago, whittier
! shall remove my Office to take up
the affairs Of the estate, as your father
has desired. When any business occa-
sion arises where 1t is necessary to
consult with you. l will notify you. /
would suggest that we keep the mar
secret"
There followed for the wife q
strange experience. Only twice In a
year Revere came to see her, and then
only long enough to submit some legal
papers. and in the presence Of her
aunt. Then one day he called ut her
home. to find her alone.
1T IN about to leave the city per-
manently," he said. having closed up
all matters Of the estate. I have n
confession TO make. / am not your
husband; that marriage ceremony was
invalid"
She regarded him with speechless
amazement. II could not deny your
fathers WISH" he continued. "and /
fancied l saw q way to protect your
interests in the way / have without
i~ntruding upon you. Two years since
/ parted from my wife, an unworthy
woman, whom / have never seen since,
but / am still her legal husband"
"oh. why did you not tell me be-
fore !" suddenly breathed forth Ethel.
at was unmanly, It was cruel, for !
i"
She hurried from the In tears,
and Revere left the house In a strange
maze Of emotion. Could It be possible
that she cared for himf And he-oh,
that fatal tie. that shut him out OF
paradisei
Hope. doubt. despair were In his
thoughts as. a week later. he again
called at the home Of Ethel. There
was a certain plaintive expression In
her face that seemed to upbraid him.
IT learned only yesterday that my
wife died over a year ago in a rail-
road wreck In Canada. Twas pre-
vlous I o my marriage with you. am
sorry II this new complication dis
tresses you"
'sThen I am your wife. in realityF"
breathed Ethel. a quick glow suffus-
in~ her lovely face. Then she seemed
&z, Ioo..I 4ov,arSo him and