Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-06-07

matrimonial experience, but John and
Henry Martin became familiar spirits
at their neighbors. And when various
other young men added themselves to
the summers gayety, and the girl
played with them all impartially, 1T
added interest and complications to
the game.
1t was full six weeks before any
trouble began. Then each of the
twins woke to the consciousness that
his brother was not always welcome
in his vicinity-especially at moon
light picnics, and things Of the sort.
Why on earth, thought Henry, could
not good old John see that he was
boring the girl? She certainly had
been perfectly willing to 60 off for a
long stroll with himself, but John had
blindly gone along, too. OF course, she
had from sheer politeness been i'm
partial. But it was plain to see which
she preferred! And it is ridiculous
fact that John had almost the identical
idea with regard to Henry!
In two months the brothers began
to be little irritated with each other.
One evening John suddenly stopped
his elaborate toilet, and said he didn't
believe he'd go over that evening He
was tired Henry was anxious, pro-
tested family, but was secretly de-
lighted. He went alone-and John was
furious. Henry had her to himself,
and for once in his life forgot he had
a brother. Tessie marked the abb
sence of John, and thought she saw a
rift in the lutte. She did not intend
real mischief-but she did want to
see what she could do, as boy with
a new knife tries it on every plain
surface.
The next evening Henry came
home The Jap told him Mr.. John
had come home at noon, and that he
and the young person next door had
gone somewhere. They had taken
basket Of lunch. he submitted soberly.
And what would Mr.. Henry have for
dinner
John came dazedly and happily
home about midnight, and his brother
feigned sleep. At breakfast they were
polite-and cool-to each other. AT
the end of week they hardly spoke.
Then one morning John woke to just
what was going on. His heart went
out to his brother, and though ne
knew he was desperately in love with
the small, soft woman thing next
door, he determined that neither she
nor any other being, on the earth or
under it, should cause trouble be-
tween himself and his mate. He decid-
ed to have it out at once, and rising
he took his plunge and then in bath
robe and slippers went into MS
brothers room. Henry opened his
eyes and frowned, but John sat down
on the edge of the bed determined to
"have it out He did.
He told John he was dead in love
with the girl, and made his brother
confess to the same thing. They talk
ed it over, fair and square, each bound
not to do the ether wrong, each
secretly sure that he was the one she
cared for-for she certainly must
care for one Of the two.
They went over things briefly, man
to man. It was decided that that
evening they would together go to
see her, face her together, and to-
gether ask her to choose between
them. Neither would see or COM
municate with her before that time.
They would be fair, and the beaten
man would accept his fate-and not
let it interfere with his old feeling
for his twin Then they dressed, ate
breakfast in amity, to the delight OF
the Jap and went to their work. And
at night they came home together IN
the old way and ate dinner together.
They smoked in silence on the We
randa and watched the Farley place.
but they did not see her, so present
" they sauntered over in a casual
way.
They asked Mrs. Farley where she,
Tessie was. And the asture lady,
VINO knew what she knew, and whose
eyes had that day been amazingly
opened sent them out to the below
cred little summer house. She was
glad they both had come, for she
thought common blow would be bet
ter than stroke separately for each.
The two talked deceivingly to her
moment and went down the winding
little trail. The fireflies were thick IN
the grass, and the dew began to fall.
And after a moments walk they could
see a girls white dress against the
dark of the vines. They went straight
up to the dress in the dusk, seeing
nothing but that. But the girl saw
them first and rose.
eve have come together began
John Martin, to" Something
warned the girl who knew when
game was ended, without actually
playing the last card.
.'You came together to meet-Mr.
Jackson from home my f1ance,
who" A tall and very good looking
young fellow rose and took each OF
them by the hand. They were both
glad it was dusk. One can force ones
voice and ones hand to be steady
but the face tells stories. They were
very nice and polite and congratulate
ory. But they did not stay long-not
very long.
Presently they went away across
the garden, their arms interlocked In
the old fashion, and Mrs. Farley,
watching them. considered the beau
ty of pure, brotherly love. 1t is pre-
sumable that Tessie forgot all about
them. To do her justice, her engage
ment was but day old. Young
N5orsh cudden1y appeared and she