Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-11

'heartbroken." Nor was this the only error
that Mason made. He offended the twins
sense of decorum, supersensitive in its en-
urety, by jocular reference to their inti-
macy with Paul.
II detest that Mr.. welles." said Sophro-
MIA, frigidly.
He is abhorrent to all ideas Of decency."
agreed Abigail.
Inflated Mason, not to have applied dis
elimination To his own case. III such was
their united judgment what might not be
their individual impulse? But no man while
clSging a PIT ever whistled more rnerrily
Than he. when We get there" he medi-
tatej, I'm manage to separate tn rls, ana
it will be hard If L can't arrange to have
Dupont come across one OF them while
pretty Alice is looking on. And then"
So settled was Mason in the certainty OF
laughing last that he regarded with COM
pcsure the way in which the party took
seats in the great mountain wagon, though
II was hardly I'm accord with his desire, for
Paul and Alice were side by side, like Darby
and Joan, with the Mantell sisters prim
and demure neighbors. The return viii
be slightly different" he unused, with a trf-
umphant smile, and it will be dark then,
too"
Compunction for two unintended wrongs
had drawn Paul to Alice. Belated appre-
citation and poignant regret had dragged
Alice close TO Paul. To the infinite repug-
nance OF the twins this couple incon tinently
INDUCED In soft and cooling phrases, and
more than once on the drive were undeniably
was heavy jolt Paul embraced Alice with
exaggerated tenderness although she was
safe and secure in an interior corner, and
the unprotected maidens who should have
been his care were bobbiag up and DOWN
like electric balls. Ere the destination was
reached that respectful admiration which
the Mantell girls had shared for Paul Du-
pont had faded away its place permanently
retained by Indifferent contempt
Sappyr Whispered Sophronia-
Spoons! concurred Abigail
But hapless Mason Welles was unaware
OF these changes of sentiment; otherwise
when the cloth was spread on the ground
and the hampers were in the process ofun-
lading he would have not been so Intent on
sending Paul hither and thilher and on
employing the Mantell girls with disiunct-
i've errands. His eagerness, too, prevented
him from perceiying that Alice was study
ing his maneuvers with doubt and aversion.
Everything seemed TO be working just to
perfection. Paul was engrossed with a ket-
tie. some damp kindlings and a broken
match down in the ravine, hid from the
sight CT every one, excepting his wife So
phronia had been inveigled on the heights
after berries and Abigail down the road 10
the farm house for milk, each sister believ-
ing that the other was close by
I'll take shy at Sophronia first" Ma
son resolved. There's more OF the March
hare about her. / think" and he clambered
UP the rocks to her side.
Look down there" he said, pointing to
Paul; there is your darling quite alone"
soophtOhld W nat. you empty
psted fop." she screamed, do you think YOU
can insult me with impunity7 Take thatr'
and she cast the pail of berries full In his
face.
Mason did not await further eccentricfties.
he sped like a chamois down the mountain
side until he came upon Abigail.
Your sister, he exclaimed Look out
for her; she's crazier than a loon!"
lnsolent puppy" retorted Abigail. ana
the milk blended with the berries
Mason turned and fed. In fear of other
singularities. But, alas where could he find
shelter? Down the path was stalking the
vengeful Sophronia, close behind him panted
the fndomitable Abigail In a furry OF
terror he bounded TO Alice's side Save
me, Alice, from those harridans" he i'm
plored.
Really, Mr.. Welles," said Mrs. Dupont
scornfully. You are quite as ridiculous as
you look. Wait a moment and my husband
70. nS ~ Sou anu OF me, toO .-' 80
But Mason did not wait. Far down the
roadway he saw the Nantell twins soberly'
Flooding 70 the hotel and he realized that
In their union lay his strength. He fol-
lowed, but at distance, and when they
had reached the destination he hurried TO
the railway station and took the train for
a discreet one. And Paul never consulted
Hodges the proprietor, about the sanity of
the twins. They ignored him, pursuing their
studies with unity that no surgeons knife
could eradicate. Neither does he reply as
formerly TO Alices gentle questions FOR, tn
a proper appreciation Of felicity, he has lost
all presumption