The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-08-23
commented the lawbreaher.


At the office they left the car, but
not each other. There was growing
upon Stanton more and more the de
sire for Jesse Floyd's companionship
a final rebellion of nature against his
lonely existence.
do you have to stay here?" he de
manded, upon concluding arrange
ments at the office.
mo" Floyd replied.
Come to dinner with me, then"
The mechanician shook his bronze
curled head in laughing refusal.
There has been enough of that. Mr.
Stanton; you come to dinner with me-
"At your homer" escaped Stanton
involuntarily. He had sudden vision
of Jes and Jessica together, a pre-
monition of mental bewilderment be.
| fore the spectacle of their incredible
likeness.
II would like that, but you know we
live up town. and l have got to be
back here in an hour. Mr.. Green
wants me-"
ooh, anywhere you say. See here
f, why can't you wait and come on the
train with me to Indianapolis? We
might make the trip less monotonous
for each other"
Taken by surprise, Floyd hesitated
"I-you are good to think of It
but Mr. Green would never consent
He has arranged for me to 60 on to.
night"
why shouldn't he consent? You
would be there in plenty of time"
Floyd turned his mischievous gray
eyes to the other mans, guarding 81
lence. But Stanton halted in the mid.
die of the sidewalk. his face locking
in his steel-hard anger and determine
ton.
II know what you mean, Floyd. And
speak openly, do you believe that you
would be unable to stand forty-eight
hours of me without leaving tie com.
pany?"
mo"
Nor"
mo. am very certain that could
stand much more of you than I am
ever likely to get, Ralph Stanton. We
are blocking traffic here. aren't WEI"
For one passing moment he had
looked Jessica herself; Stanton saw
again the girls sorrowful face as she
bent over the embroidery, and heard
her answer "often" to his question of
her loneliness. They were not alto
gether sufficient for each other, then,
these twins? They might possibly adj
NIT a third? Stanton caught his
breath; slow strong pulse of vague
excitement began to beat in him, and
thereafter was never stilled until day
when all his world crashed into blank
stiffness.
They went on to the quiet French
restaurant that Floyd had chosen; so
recovering tone on the way that they
contrived to disagree over the merits
of rival speedometers and argued en-
| ergetically all through the dinner.
They spent a long time over the sim
pie meal, enjoying themselves COM
pletely. But at last they sank into a
thoughtful silence, which Stanton was
the first to break.
1T saw that Miss Floyd's arm was
hurt, the other evening. hope 1t is
better"
Floyd raised his head, starting SO
violently as to overturn the goblet of
water beside him.
what do you mean?" he exclaimed
sharply. What do you mean? Her
arm?"
The SCATTERING of glass and the con-
sequent flood brought their waiter on
a run, but Floyd did not even glance
down at the wreck his eyes upon
Stanton; who returned the gaze in ut
ter amazement.
What do mean? ] say that your
sisters bracelet slipped on ana
scratched her arm, the night We went
to the play apd ! asked yoy II she
were we'll. What Is the matter with
your
Floyd pushed back his chair to per-
NIT the walters ministrations, his
lashes falling.
you gave me turn" he exclaimed,
with hurried lightness. 81 wondered
II Jessica had hurt herself and not
told me. We've only got each other,
and we are twins suppose We are
silly about each other, in fact l re-
member, now, that she did have
scratch on her arm; blamed it on the
kitten"
He was still pale, and paid the
check without looking at his compan-
ion.
Your nerves are out" Stanton
frankly commented, contemplating
him with curiosity. "One would think
it was you who were just over the ar
rest. You'll have to get in form be-
fore We strike race-track."
Don't you worry" besought Floyd,
his gaiety and color rushing back to-
gether. I'll take some smelling-s salts
-