Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-12-26


expectant had consented, all the par
ents had consented, and nothing re-
NAMED bnt the wedding.
In the first place, the boys made no
objection. When their mothor propos'
ell that they should take wives, and
their wives should be the Thorndyke
sisters, they fell at once into her little
plan. Fortunately, neither happened
to be in love with any one else. ANY
thing you like, dear mother, said Hen
ry, provided it doesn't interfere with
the qualification Of my tastes Henrys
tastes ran largely to books. Anything
you like said Ben, provided it doesn't
interfere with my exercises at the Ath-
letic club
As to the twins, from the ages of IL
to l8 they had been at school in Swift
zerland, where they had been kept in an
emlnently respectable educational pris-
on. Then they had been brought back
to America to live on their father
place next the Havershams. passing the
time at home with little or no company.
They had seen the lIaversham boys but
twice since their return once on a pre-
limlnary visit, and again when the pro-
posals were made.
The twins did not even see their
would be husbands when their accept
ance was impaired. Send me note,
wrote Henry to Amelia. I spend all
my evenings at the city just now, and
will scarcely be able to call soon again.
Ben, who proposed a few weeks later
lust to prevent the affair from having Is
cut and dried appearance-coolly
wrote Della that he was in training for
the coming athletic games, and she
might as we'll send her answer to his
mother. 1t didn't occur to the young
lady that athletic games usually occur
in summer; but the method Of hand
ling this part of the affair by the broth.
ers came near breaking 1t all up. The
sisters at first vowed they would send
percmptory No. but when they tho't
of their gloomy life and the prospect of
gay seasons in the city with their pop
uIar husbands. they pocketed the slight
and returned favorable answers.
The absurdity of taking partners in
this reckless fashion was soon to be
demonstrated. Both couples were mis-,
mated. Henry's tastes were as aesthetic
as Ben's We're Athletic. Amelia was
the more lightly disposed of the two
girls. She had meyer enjoyed ecstatic
happiness but once, and that was at a
horse race. Della possessed Il charita-
bic disposition, and cultivated the fine
arts. 1t was not to be expected that
the deal Henry would get on with the
gaily disposed Amelia or that sports
man like Ben would be a fit companion
for the more serious Della. Neverless
they had been allotted, and they were
expected to carry out the allotment.
Mrs. Haversham had desired to have
the twins with her for the Christmas
holidays, but her sons numerous en-
gagements admonshed her that she
would be obliged to entertain her guests
without assistance so they were invi-
ted for the first week of the new year,
and expected to DINER on New Years
eve.
They were received at the port cohere
by there prospective motherinlaw, who
conducted them to their rooms. Meth
er of the boys could leave the city in
time for dinner, so Mrs. Haversham, il
more antique dress and the family
Jewels, sat at one end of the table, and
Mr.. Hayersham, in dress suit in which
he had attended a state reception of
President Buchanan twenty years be.
fore, sat at the other end, and the twins
on each side. Mrs. Haversham was
continually confusing Della with Ame-
LA, and Mr.. Haversham vowed that he
didn't care to know them apart, for
they were both so lovely that it didn't
matter which was which,
Now it occurred to the wise and wi
ly Mrs. Haverslam that the first meet
ing between the so called lovers should
be without observers. Knowing that
Ben was expected on the 8 o'clock train
and that Henry would come forty min
utes later, she had arranged that Ben
and Della should greet each other in
the library, and that Henry and Ame-
liza should have the same fecillty IN the
conservatory. Mrs Haversham put
each apartment in first class order, ar
ranged the furniture daintily, put
shaded lamp on the table, and turned
down the gas. She instructed the maid