Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-02-14
CHAPTER 1.-TWO M


During the season Of 188- there On.
tered the inner circle OF metropolis
tan society two Young women who
became famous at once for their
physical and mental Vaccinations,
They were twins, the daughters OF
a deceased merchant who had made
millions In trade and had married
into one Of New YOrk's most artistic.
cratic families. Their mother had
died at the time OF their birth, and the
girls had been SEM to France to be
educated. They did not return to
this country until a year after their
fathers death, but their beauty.
wealth and maternal ancestry gave
them an Immediate entree to socie-
ty. and they became Mt a bound the
1.-THE Two Orphas," as they were
called by i%rreverent club men, were
tall. dark. queenly women more
French than American in manner
1t was hard to tell which was the
handsomer. Vera Marsden had her
admirers. who warmly opposed the
assertion of another clique that Ma
riOn possessed the most beauty. AS
those who knew them well m
times mistOok Marion for Vera and
Vera for Marion there was a good deal
or bathOs about this discussion. In
Tact 1t became necessary for the Mars
deils to a Il distinguishing mark
when they appeared in public; SO Vera
adopted a pearl necklace to identify
herself. while Marion barred her
white throt, simplex munditiis, to
the admiring eyes of the midnight
world.
The entrance Of these women at
a ball or reception always created a
sensation. Having lived long in
Paris, they understood the art of
dress in all It's highest manifestations.
Their dark hair drawn back from their
foreheads was arranged in classic
coils. Their eyes, cyanean in hue,
suggested a strain Of Irish blood in
their veins. Black hair and blue eyes
form a combination either Celtic or
Spanish in it's origin. In this case,
the chromatic eccentricity was due
tO the fact that the Marsdens' mother
had been born In Dublin.
K was natural, of course. that the
jeunesse doree should fall down and
worship these representatives Of en-
trOpy and elegance Suitors gather
about them In throngs, and german
favors piled before them as Of
ferings were laid Mt the feet Of Gre
clan goddesses. The newspapers
printed their photographs, and even
the London weeklies commented upon
the social success of the Marsden
twins. Being rich as well as hand
some, certain foreigners Of title paid
to them, and Mt one time the ru-
NOR went forth that Vera had accept
an English peer and that Marion
engaged to a German Count.
The Marsdens only smiled, and be-
came more vivacious than before.
But you do not deny my accusa-
remarked q pale, t~ired-looking
one evening. as he bent toward
Vera. They were seated in a quiet
nook In q spacious hallway. The mu-
sic Of q waltz echoed from the con-
where the orchestra was
stationed, and through the open
doors Of the drawing-room they could
the dancers as they passed and
repassed in rhythmic grace.
why do you give it so harsh a
nameT' asked Vera, smiling and turn
ing her eyes toward her questioner:
surely 1t IL no crime to marry an En-
The patrician face of the young man
flushed deeply.
"You are still evasive. O, Vera,
l have the right to an answer
for l love you. l love you madly.
Tell me, are you engaged|
She rose and calmly took his arm.
LET us Dance" she said. 'Three
men have said the same thing to me
tonight II grows monotonous, nest
&C past"
Marion Marsden had just finished q
waltz with q tall. distingue man,
about IS years Of age. As they wan
dered toward the conservatory, he
was saying:
REALLY, Miss Marsden, you and
your sister have i~naugurated a rev.
olution. Internationally you have be-
come most pronounced iconoclasts."
"What do you mean, Mr.. vinton?
You alarm me. Actually our only am
bition IL to have q good time, and
here In the most solemn way you tell
me we are reformers-horrid things!"
There was q pout on her finely cut
mouth rs she looked up at her VISA
Wis.
Mr.. vinton smiled coldly and led her
to q seat in the conservatory. He
stood looking down at her q moment,
then seated himself beside her.
"What / intended to say is this.
Last season none Of the men had the
slightest inclination for matrimony.
BachelorhOod seems to be sufficient
u attractive. and the joys Of domes-
tie life were about as magnetic as
4 surf bath in winter. Now, however,
q great matrimonial revival is in
progress. New converts are made
every night. Why, l have known
some Of my friends disappointed in
their highest hopes. to marry girls
they did not care for, just because
their thoughts have been running re-
Gently on welded life"