Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-08-14
STRANGELY Welded
BY jessie G. sHERWlN.
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Copyright, 1913. Western Newspapel

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Copyright, 1918. Western Newspaper
Union.)
Wakiron Morse, seventy, worn out,
had come to Shell Beach to die. VIII
ton Revere, thirty, at LIES choicest
phase, had come to reconstruct brok.
en- life. Because the one>was 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 bis invalid chair, looked
eagerly for the only sojourner at the
famous health resort who attracted
him because o. his gravely sympathet-
&c ways.
There was 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 COM
plex features that disturbed him, In
view of his condition.
AL fear for" he told Revere, rs
that my daughter Ethel, II left alone IN
the world, would be at the mercy OF
self-tnterested persons who would not
guard her interests. II I could only
be sure Of living until some pending
litigation Is settled !"
"Cheer up, dear frisodi" Revere told
him. you may live for many a year
to come" But the next day Morse
was taken fatally III. he called Re
we're to his bedside and seemed to re-
~ upon bis continued presence - q
solace until bis daughter, who was
living with an aunt In the dty. arrived.
Revere was fascinated ut his inst
glimpse OF the sweet, innocent face Of
Ethel Morse BE was sent for In NJ
gent haste. Mr.. Morse clasped bio
hand feEveutly % he at down By his
bedside.
Revere" he said. you have been
IKE q son to me. The doctors ~ !
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-
fit her." assured Revere.
"More than that! Revere, I beg OF
you to do what I suggest She VIII
have a fortune, she Is wife any man
may be proud of. Will you marry
herr"
Revere was d1mbfounded. he got
as far as II dare not-I an1-" but
spasm of pain overlook Mr.. Morse,
and Revere had to call for the doctor.
An hour latA 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'at 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
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
the funeral was over and she started
for the home Of her aunt. AS ne
helped her upon the train, he said.
simply, quietly, definitely:
IT 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, will notify you.
would suggest that we keep the mar
rage secret"
There followed for the wife
strange experience. Only twice IN a
wear 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 at her
home, to find her alone.
II am about to leave the city per-
manently," he said, 'having closed up
all matters of the estate. l have
confession to make. am not your
husband; that marriage ceremony was
invalid"
she regarded him with speeches.
amazement. II could not deny your
fathers wish," he continued, land i
foncied I saw way to protect your
interests in the way have without
intruding upon you. Two years since
I parted from my wife, an unworthy
woman, whom have never seen since,
but am still her legal husband"
ooh, why did you not tell me be-
fore!" suddenly breathed forth Ethel.
ut was unmanly, 1t was cruel, for l
Il"
She hurried from the room in tears
md Revere left the house in strange
maze of emotion. Could it be possible
that she cared for him? And he-oh,
that fatal tie, that shut him out or
paradise! =,
Hope, doubt, despair were in MS
thoughts as. a week later, he again
called at the home of Ethel. There
was certain plaintive expression IN
her face that seemed to upbraid him.
81 learned only yesterday that my
wife died over a year ago In a rail-
! road wreck in Canada. 1t was pre-