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

such a right jolly party staying over at The
Naples. friends of Mr.. Welles, you know
They were in despair for a ohaperon until
trey found me. Now, just keep on fishing
and give yourself no further concern re-
garding my welfare. We take moonlight
sail tomorrow night, and Saturday We drive
to the Summit, with dinner at the Half
Way House. So be a dear, fussy old bach
elor all you please" And Alice Iitted from
the room hummng a snatch of the song 20
which she had beaten time so blthely.
faul stood before the glass with his collar
half fastened. There was a comcal express
sion or CONSERVATION on the reflected face,
which made him laugh, but not merrily.
"A fussy old bachelor So, such was the
verdict on his endeavors a model hus-
band. Perhaps a man could work more
steadfastly, and plan more cautiously, and
give more generously than he! Doubtless
that grinning idiot whose eyes ought to be-
gin to water for the wringing his nose would
surely get was a more fit object to be loved,
honored and obeyed! Come, now, IL con-
trariety was required by Jove! he would
furnish il.
Old and fussy, indeed. When. two years
since, he had been in truth a bachelor, only
Ills absurd ideas of devotion had kept him
fTee from many charming allurements. And
now, after the sixth collar had been appro-
priately sacrificed to his choler, Paul fin
ished his labors and descended to the piazza
quite satisfied with the results. Alice was
nowhere to be seen. Doubtless she was re-
hearsing those duties which should save
that right jolly party from despair, but
there was one of the Mantell twins So
phroDia, the geologist, looking mighty fine
too, and smiling timid greeting 10 him
such as a man OF his distinction merited.
He drew a chair to her side and began that
analysis of the weather which is the sherry
and bitters to friendly chat. After he had
gulped this decoction, Paul continued: II
can't remember to have ever before seen
you apart from your sister. You are the
iEseparables you know
4 va T1pya ua1 until
seamstress. Sophronia explained, land /
really FELT the need Of the air. and So"
And so my lucky star brought you
hither," interrupted Paul. calamity.
YES" murmured the girl, 1T was fate
that united US once more"
Paul started and flushed with amazement.
What the deuce could that mean? Was
this one OF those highly respectable and
decorous Mantell girls, whom he had often
been fain to hold up as examples to Alice?
Yes; he could not doubt his eyes however
much he might his ears although she
seemed changed. Her glasses were off. and
there was tender expression on her face,
as IL her back hair We're becoming undone
She was leaning toward him, too, as il I'm
need Of that ''holding-up" process. Decid-
ediy' a SHIRT OF subject was necessary, so
that he might gain an interval to think.
Its about time for that dinner bell to
ring, blurted the wretched man.
Don't mention time, dearest" breathed
bliss before u.s."
Paul sprang to his feet aghast and gasp
ing: Really. Miss Sc phronia, really Miss
Mantell. this won't do at all. You must ex-
cuse me If leave you at once. There is
some dreadful Misrepresentation What IL
any one should overhear? Think"
Yes. agreed Sophronia, staying his
arm You are right. We must dissemble.
But, let me go, not you. Here comes Abb
gail Your greeting will allay her sus-
picions. Farewell VI til a kinder hour. Be
our Watchword, secrecy and trust" and
with smile which Juliet would have deem
ed ur Seemly she trippei away.
Garl leaned against the rail and mopped
his brow. and tried to straighten his limp
rag of a collar. One Inevitable explana ton,
however gave him comfort. Poor thing"
ne sol,loquized, poor child so young, so
fair! She has gone crazy, and evidently
alone am aware of Il. Now, what IS my
duty? Hodges, the pr opristor,, who has the
But here comes s-Asigail; how composed,
how sensible her bearing! / must break
the sad intelligence her, luckily her
strong mind will temper grief with good
judgment" S-..-f
And yet, even as Paul resolved there was
a certain unwonted sprightliness becoming
apparent in Miss Abisails approach which
caused vague apprehension.
My dear young lady he began, and his
nervousness lent ardor to his words, Il am
inexpressibly thankful 10 see you. There
is subject, delicate, closely intimate. on
which must speak, - r~s-~ e
eyes. Il think UNDERTAKE.
Your sister"
You fear she may suspeSt1 Yes. there is
danger. We must be cautious; We must
dissemble; We must meet as strangers"
Good Lordr' groaned Paul
There, darling. don't be impatient
know it's hard. but perfect trust is such
courage Remember our motto in the dear
old days: 'Semper fidelis' See, / will set
an example of prudence" and, coyly touch
ing her forefinser to her lips. Abigail like
wise tripped away.
Il see how it is concluded Paul, gloom
lily, after a moments bordering. Il am GO
ing daft myself-overwork and worry
suppose. Perhaps, though. the dread NAL
ady may be checked in its inception 1 will
go to my room and take every sort of pei
let in our medicine box. i shall surely thus
get the right one" Bat despite this dag
hosts he walked to the open window of the
smoking room and looked in in fear lest
some one might have heard these CONVERSE
tons, II. perchance, they had really &C.
CURED. As he failed TO look behind the door
however, he saw no one. and so went away
satisfied in his most unsatisfactory secrecy
Had he looked behind the door he would
nave seen Mason Welles, and from the ex-
preston of his face not only have been re-
assured as to the genuineness of these con-
versations, but warned as to the use that
unscrupulous young man would make of his
knowledge.
Mason Welles had indeed been a witness
ana an expert one, too. For he had known
the Manteil girls from their Childhood ana
now, as he reviewed the singularity of their
single conduct, he was able 20 trace its
course. He remembered long ago hearing
his father, DIR. Weiles. shrewd old physi.
can that he was discuss the idiosyncras y
OF the Mantell twins. Those children are
not simpletons," his parent had said TO-
Sether they possess all the faculties. The
trouble is that certain ones, due to the TnVs-
FERROUS intin acy OF their birth they hold in
common. Separately, each one is apt to
grin and caper like an idiot. / do not be-
iieve that any education, however thor
Ough, car eradicate this Stiffness But U-har,
they are kept in company, as they should
be, this perversion not only disappears, hut
they are utterly cbliVous that il eyer ex-
listed. In fact one is the complement of the
other Together they form the perfect
circle of common sense. The remedy is, ana
L have impressed il on their parents. TO
n axe them to all intents AMI purposes ST.
amese twins"
Years had PASSED Stree childish pranks
had provoked his fathers speech. and since
then Mason had seen the girls develop into
the fullness of cultured young womanhood
and he had forgotten that there had been
a time when their sanity had been a topic
for sympathiZing friends. Now. for a truth
he remembered il all, as he also remembered
that until this hour he had not seen them
apart. Now, through DEDUCTION, he conf
pretended that together the sisters had en-
tertained a highly proper and respectful
admiration for Paul Dupont, which had af-
fected each of them when separated thus
disastrously. III that little witch of an
Alice could witness their fond attentions"