The Monticellonian., 1903-09-17

How did you learn l was going to get married?" he demanded.
 You going to be marrled?" the other replied, innoeently. T did not know it. I mean that is what is talk ing me to Denver-to get married"
 "You-you are" began Demming, pinching himself But the other inter rupted:
 We seem to be two souls with but single thought, as my Uncle Charlie Bashford wrote when he eloped with"
 Have you an Uncle Charlie Bash ford?" Deming broke in, leaning ea- gerly forward.
 "Yes, sir, returned the other. "He resides in Paducah-Paducah, Ky. Why?"
 Nothing" Demming replied, much with the air of one who is crushed; "only that I-I have an uncle who an- swers to that name and he, also, lives In Paducah"
 He paused a moment as though de- batting a great question and then the light of sudden understanding flashed across his countenance.
 That is to say" he resumed "I did have an Uncle Charlie Bashford-be- fore I died.p
 Before you = what?" the other asked. visibly startled.
 Before I died,' repeated Demming. T must have had heart-failure or something and didn't know it. At all events, I am dead. I died very sud- denly in bus. I recognize you now, of course. You are my spirit. l first saw you in the bus at the time of my demise. l see that you are re- luctant to leave me. It is very hlnd of you. indeed.
 The other gazed at him, affrighted- ly. 1t was quite evident to him that Demming was lunatic, and he glanced uneasily around, as though measuring his chances of escape His hands shook with fear, and coin, which he had been fumbling in his fingers, dropped to the floor.
 Demming stopped and picked it up. It was a Roman piece of ancient coin age, and through the edge a hole had been bored
 For a moment Demming gazed at the piece of metal in fierce wonder.
 "In the name of God!" he cried, ex- eitedly, If you are not my spirit; if you are mortal and in the flesh, where did you get this coin?"
 '.I assure you." the other replied, calmly, that 1 am not your spirit; that I am of the earth, earthly l have had that coin for years-ever since I was a babe. To the best of my knowledge it Is the only one of it's kind in existence-save one. But why do you ask?"
 For reply Demming thrust his hand into his pocket, then drew it out, and the other saw coin upon the open palm.
 He laid his own beside 1t and com pared the two. They were precisely alike, even to the small hole in the edge.
 T understand" the other said, final ly, and smile spread over his face. This is the other one of which spoke'
 But Demming paid no heed to his words. His face had grown pale; his lips were close-pressed; his eyes were riveted upon the others.
 "In heavens name!" he cried. hoarsely; what are you-man or devil ?"
 T am man." the other, answered, his eyes twinlSling; whether or not am devil is as men judge me. My name is Archibald Demming.
 For a moment, Demming gazed at him. helplessly Then a gleam of pa thetic hopelessness crept into his eyes, and he bowed his head.
 Then" he said, tremor in his voice, "it is as feared. am dead"
 His companion laughed
 No" he replied. you are not the late lamented You are only mistaken in your identity. You have been Archibald Demming. when in reality you are Ferdinand Randolph. Do not interrupt me, but listen:
 You and I are first cousins, and, vir- tually. of the same age. When we were babes in arms, we were so much alike that our parents could not tell us apart A relative-an enthusiastic numismatist-gave our mothers these coins, and they fastened them on chains that We might wear them around our neeKs.
 "One day there was a church pie nic, or something, and our mothers, planning to attend. agreed that one of us should not wear our chain that day. This would guard against any possibility of getting us mixed. It was a good arrangement and was spoiled only by our maternal sires very care fully leaving both our chains at home.
 "The expected happened. When our mothers returned from that picnic, each had the others child. From that day to few years ago when l learned of my true identity by reason of fail l ing eyesight, which is hereditary in the Demming family. have been 1 known as Randolph Since that l have been searching for you That we are residents of the same city is a coin- cidence of which I did not dream But it is fortunate-'
 There was a violent jolting of the cars, the sound of brake-beams lock- ing tightly, the noise of screeching en- zines, and then
 Demming heard roar like the crack of doom, the snapping of timbers. the