Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-02-28
MARSDEN TWINS.
A Story Written for This Paper
by Edward S. Van Zile.
[CoPYRIoHr.l'

my word. o. why did not Jack DIAL
ton come to me? It's terrible. I don't
know what l ought to do. Help me,
sister. Tell me, what do you think of
mey'
"A gentleman to see Miss Marion
said a servant, entering the library
with a card.
MI. Ashton!' exclaimed Marion.
"Can it be that he, too, is not the for
tune-hunter we took him fory"
BE careful, May. Don't do anything
rash. See how l suffer and take warn
ing"
Marion smiled calmly as she pre-
pared to leave the room.
"How do you do, Mr.. Ashton?' she
asked, with cold ceremoniousness as
she met him in the drawing-room. I'VE
have not e you for a long time"
Ashton's pale face Redeemed slightly.
He seated himself awkwardly and
seemed at a loss for words. He was
enough of a gentleman to dislike his
present role, and Marion's hauteur I'M
nerved him. His agitation served him
well, however, for a woman is always
flattered to find that her presence dis
turbs the poise Of Il thorough mondain.
"You are wellw he asked, rather des-
perately.
Yes" She was still cruelty unsym-
pathetic.
81 regret--I am glad-that is, I mean
am delighted to see YOU"
Thanks
He rose and stood before a small,
finely executed portrait near her.
What a perfect likeness of you." he
said. Then. as If gaining confidence
by addressing the picture, he continued:
1T is the face Of the woma I love. 1t
is the face Of a woman whose bein2
has bewitched me, whose image is en-
graved on my heart, and to whom l cry
out for mercy"
Ashton had read a great many novels
in his time.
"That is Vera's picture, Mr.. Ashton.
| am sorry to inform you that she is en-
gagged to Mr.. Weldon"
Ashton flushed scarlet, coughed
nervously, looked foolish for a mo-
ment, and then catching the eyes of
Marion, Joined her in a hearty laugh.
Again fortune favored him, for the
sympathy begotten by that laugh gave
him more confidence and rendered
Marion more approachable.
1.-The artist himself in this light
might easily have made my mistake"
he began, firmly. ''What 1 just said
refers to you, Marion Marsden. love
you and want you to be my wife,"
Marion returned no answer for a
long time. Her mind was agitated by
many conflicting thoughts. In the first
place, this man had once proposed to
Vera. This fact, however. might not
indicate that he did not truly love
Marion. 1t really seemed as though Il
mar who loved one Of these girls must
love the other. They were so much
alike in appearance, character. and
mental tendencies that a passion be-
gotten by Vera might reasonably be
transferred to her sister. Diminishing
this point, therefore, Marion went on
to the next 1t was evident that Ash
ton did not look for money or he would
not have pressed his suit at this time.
That was a strong argument in his
favor. He and Weldon were appar-
entity the only men Of their acquaint-
ance who cared more for them than for
their money. But Ned Dalton? Why
should Marion think of him at such a
time? He had eve spoken even n
tender word to her and had deserted
her in her hour of poverty. No, she
would forget his existence and lay out
her life as her reason, not her heart ad-
vised.
eligible part. He was presentable,
accomplished, rather pleasing in his
ways. He was not, by any means, a
poor man, and his position in New
York society was well established.
Surely a girl might do worse than a
ry him.
But all these arguments might have
been Of no avail had it not been for
that peculiar affinity that pertains to
twins. Vera had engaged herself to a
man she did not love. Marion felt an
intense desire to do the same thing.
At length she said firmly and abruptly:
"Mr. Ashton, I will marry YOU"
Thanks There was a touch of
sarcasm in his voice. He had not
wholly forgiven her for her cold re-
ception." You have made me the hap
piest man in the city"
II hope you may always remain SO.
But I must exact one promise from
YOU"
'It Is granted"
"You must learn at once to distin-
guish my portrait from Vera's."
Ashton smiled quietly. Now that
his victory was won he was again the
self-possessed man Of the world.
A half an hour later Vera and Ma
rion sat in their boudoir looking at
each other in dismay. They had be-
gun to realize with painful clearness
that their impulsivcness had placed
them in a most serious position.
"But we will always have each
other" sobbed Marion.
IL hope So" faltered her sister.
20, why was I 81 weak? I have ruined
own life, and yours, too. l should
think you would hate me, May"
III an instant they we're locked in
others arms and woanino 1fLa