The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1918-08-23
| STRANGELY Welded
BY JESSIE e. SHERWiN.
tCopyright, 1918. Western Newspaper
Union.)

ChctisJ
Waldron Morse. seventy. worn out,
had come 10 Shell Beach To die. VII
ton Revere. thirty, at life's choicest
phase. had come TO reconstruct brok-
en- life. Because the one vas exhaust
ed in mind and body and the other
world-weary, the mutual seriousness Of
manner and face attracted each to thu
other. The older man. wheeled along
the beach I'm 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 person
he could rely upon.
The fact that he seemed 10 be vel
versed legally added 10 Mr.. Morse's
regard for him. The old man was
wealthy, but his affairs had some CON-
pick features that disturbed him, In
view of his condition.
"All fear for" he told Revere. us
that my daughter Ethel, If left alone In
the world. would be at the mercy OF
self-interested persons who would not
guard her interests. If / could only
be sure of living until some pending
litigation is settledl ~
Cheer up, dear friend!" Revere told
him. "You may live for many year
TO come" But the next day Morse
was taken fatally Ill. He called Re
we're TO his bedside and seemed 10 re-
" upon his continued presence as
solace until his daughter, who was
living with an aunt I'm 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 a son to me. The doctors say L
may live but q 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 that Revere, beg OF
you to do what / suggest. She viii
have O fortune she Is wife any man
may be proud of. VIII you marry
her."
Revere was dumbfounded. He got
r., 10
spasm of pain overlook Mr.. Morse,
and Revere had to call for the doctor.
An hour later he was sent for again.
At n 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 at dis
lance.
Revere Ii is all arranged" panted
the dying man. Ethel has consented
she could not deny my last wish. Be
kind TO her, protect her. make her life
happy" And in 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 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 it is necessary TO
consult with you. I will notify you L
would suggest that we keep the mar
riage secret"
There followed for the wife a
strange experience. Oaly twice In q
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.
| "I am about TO leave the city per
] manently," he said, Having closed VI
all matters of the estate. / have q
: confession to make. / am not your
husband: that marriage ceremony was
invalid"
She regarded him with speeches.
, amazement. II could not deny YOU
= fathers WISH" he continued, "and
y fancied 1 saw a way TO protect youl
: interests In the way / have without
: intruding upon you. Two years sinc'
!, | parted from my wife. an unwoSth,
:, 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, 1t was cruel, for
: i"
She hurried from the room In tears
y and Revere left the house in strang
, maze of emotion. Could Ii be possibl
that she cared for him7 And he-ol
" that fatal tie, that shut him out 0
paradise,
Hope, doubt. despair were In nj
IS thoughts as, q week later, he agai
u called at the home Of Ethel. Their
Il was a certain plaintive expression
C. her face that seemed 70 upbraid him.
a. at learned only yesterday that N
!. wife died over a year ago In raj
~ road wreck In Canada. II was pr
vious 10 my marriage with you. | NJ
e' sorry if this new complication di