The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-11-11

| doesn't it?" Mrs. Evans said nerrily.
'That is another reason Why Tom
changed my name. Marian and I are
first cousins, you see, and were given
The sane name"
AND as Marian is the elder, she
| had first claim" Tom broke in, and
Marian gave his nearest ear a playful
| tweak.
1t was a happy family party, and
Horace felt himself yielding to it's
charm, and losing his sense of en-
| barrassment. No two women could
| have been more different than these
I two, the Marian of his dreams and
this Hesh-and-blood Marian. One was
| small and dark, with a glowing red
rose beauty, the other was tall, well
developed, daughter of the century,
with hair smooth laid and deep blue
eyes. Yet they had one thing in
| common, their voices. 1t was difficult
| to tell which cousin was speaking un-
less the face was seen, and Horace
found his heart responding with dan
gerous frequency whenever the Sec
ond Marian spoke. 1t brought back
all the pangs of three years back,
when he was poor, and obscure. Now
he could offer a woman more than
Tom, and he knew he had developed
in other ways than in the direction of
his bank account. Still, as he had
then underestimated himself, so did
he now, and hesitated as the weeks
slipped by, for the little romance con-
tinued through the summer, and Mrs.
Evans, to say nothing of Tom. helped
it on with all her heart.
The summer drifted away, leaving
beautiful memories of delightful days,
and yet Horace knew he was storing
he had never known before, if he was
not to succeed. He had loved the
Marian Hastings he had thought Mrs.
Evans was, but when he met her
cousin he knew that the latter was
his ideal, for outside of his admiration
for Nell Evans, he had always pre-
ferred blondes; he himself was very
dark, and tall women to those of
small proportions.
'1s he never going to speak?" Nell
asked Tom more than once, but Tom,
remembering how hard it had been
Nell, sympathized, and longed to give
comfort, but did not know exactly
how to administer the dose.
Matters were in this state when
Mrs. Nell resolved upon a master
stroke. "I'll do it." she decided, and
shook her pretty head, although l
suppose it is going outside the limit
of the law, but then 'All's fair in love
or war;" and she laughed softly, and
made her plans, not even taking Tom
into her confidence.
That very afternoon, delightfully."-
warm Sunday in early September, she
managed to get Horace and Marian
into the little summer parlor with
windows opening on the side veranda.
Then when they were absorbed in
each other, although sitting in that
somewhat silent communion which
comes to those who are mentally
mated. she stole up on the veranda,
carefully gathered the floating ends
of the lace curtains into her be-ringed
little bands. A moment later she
fairly scuttled back to the main YER
anda where Tom was blissfully nap
ping, and picked up the book she had
abandoned She did not see a word
of the printed words, however, and
she was as pale as death, this gor-
geous little rose, until she heard
long, thrilling scream. 1t was what
she had been waiting for.
wake up, Tom, quick" she cried,
shaking her husband. Marian is
screaming; something has happened"
Tom was on his feet in an instant,
and the two ran into the house, guided
by the screams, which were loud and
insistent Throwing open the door of
the summer parlor, Nell gave little
sobbing laugh, and then dropped her
head on her husbands arm, shaking
with laughter.
Marian was standing, her skirts
drawn about her, gazing with terror
upon a spider, while Horace was lean
ing back in his chair laughing until
fairly faint.
"Do STOP" he pleaded between
gasps.
"a spider does make me so nervous.
I'm afraid l will kill it by mistake,
and yet can always feel them crawl
ing on me-" and Marian stopped
screaming long enough to shudder.
Tom and Nell were silent, and Nell
gave glance toward the lace cur
tains. They were still floating, al
though their lower edge was slightly
singed.
Don't scream any MORE" Horace
said very gently, although his voice
was a little weak from excessive
laughing. Marian, I'm awfully glad
you showed me that there is a weak
spot in your armor, for now l am not
afraid any longer. You come right
here and sit down. There are no
spiders here, but me, and you must
listen to what / am going to tell
you."
There was determined mastery in
his voice, and he led he. to seat.
"Now, Marian dear, love you, and
you must know 1t, for I've shown it
plain enough" Horace commenced, all
unconscious of Tom and Nell. The