New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-31
[ Fl E ST P- MOTHER

to preventing you from writing him the
truth?"
One might have judged from this converse
ton that they had been keeping a different
kind of secret. But they were perfectly re-
spectacle people, driven to discrimination only
by the delicacy of their scruples. They had
no reason to blush for what they had done.
In Georges absence M. Merault, a widower
for many years. had married again and hadn't
dared to announce the marriage
How many letters, containing minute ex-
plantations, had he written! Not being salts
fled with them, he had never mailed them.
was 1T because, at such a distance, he
couldn't make Georges understand that what
appeared to be a folly on his part was, in fact,
rare piece Of good fortune stroke of wis
dom? His wife was hardly thirty wears old.
while he, although he didn't look it, was ap-
preaching sixty. Yet, as serious as she was
charming, she was most sincerely attached to
him.
Would Georges, naturally skeptical, have
faith in this happy reality, this genuine union
which had been possible in spite of the diff
ference III their ages? Would he credit M
Meraults praises Of his second wife?
Wouldn't he suspect her of mercenary mo
tlves? Wouldn't he blame his father? Above
all, wouldn't his sense Of loyalty be affronted?
The difficulty Of convincing the young man
had deferred M Merault. He put off telling
him, moved by his affection for this grown-up
boy, of whom he was SO proud and whose ad-
verse Judgment he shrank from. Nine.
Merault modest, sensitive and little timid
also feared Georges opinion, imagining the
SelT-IntpYeStod rGla u,hi bc o.l,+ l.
attribute to her.
conversation will be more satisfactory
than letter." M. Merault used to say. "When
my son sees you, SO simple good, SO gra-
clous, he will be sure to say I was right"
Now the time for the conversation had come
and it still terrified M. Merault, chilling his
JOY at possessing Georges again after SO long
separation. If the explanation should cause
any coldness between them he felt that he
would be perfectly miserable. But how could
he now brusquely blurt out the truth?
he procrastinated again, seeking each day
a pretext for further delay. When Georges
knew the young woman BETTER he argued, and
had had a chance to realize her charm. he
would be more certain to approve of the mar
1iage
Nine Merault therefore was to pass provi-
slonally as a sort of housekeeper, treated with
the special consideration which she deserved.
But she was so little at ease in Georges COM
paay that she betrayed her fears, as if she
were conscious of some hidden guilt Never
theless, Georges took pleasure in talking with
her, showed her thousand little attentions
and sympathy which became more and more
pronounced.
"Alas!' thought M Merault, sbetween nv
sons affection and my wife's ought to be the
happlest of men. But how uncertain is this
happiness, which may be dashed by single
world"
ne decided to conquer his irresolution and
10 provoke the Indispensable disclosure But
ne always drew back when he was on the noint
Of speaking
So he felt completely taken aback when
Georges, after week or two, announced that
ne wished to have serious interview.
MY dear father" said the son, "I am one