The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1914-11-12
TROUBLES OF A DOUBLE
BY CARL sALoMoN.


Blair had just pulled on his oyercoat
and was on the point OF leaving the
cafe. when a heavy hand fell on his
lishoulder and a hearty voice shouted ia
his ear, Hello. Jenkinsl Going 10
meet with the boys tonight?"
He turned and faced jovial looking
man whom he did not remember hav-
ing ever seen before. who do you
think l amg7 he snapped. My name
is Blair"
The other looked surprised, then
sheepish. 'Scuse me" he apologized.
Il thought you were friend OF mine.
You're just his build. But, come
to look closer. your hair is darker than
his"
Haughtily Blair stalked out, having
gathered an unfayorable impression Of
his double from the unpublished man
ner OF his professed friend. Further,
it rather CALLED him not to be able TO
choose his own double, for Blair prided
himself on the irreproachable char
acter Of his friends, as well as on his
own impeecability.
He soon forgot the matter, however,
and was thoroughly surprised a few
days later, when he was again accosted
by stranger. He was hanging by the
strap of a crowded elevated train.
when some one at his elbow mur.
INJURED, Say, Henry, could you lend
me a tenspot? I'm broke"
Now, Henry is Blairs first name. He
looked about sharply, but when he saw
the man who had spoken he paid no
further heed. But the voice persisted
you amt goin to turn down an oil
friend are your There was reproach,
nay, grief in the tones.
Blair looked down and into the plead
ing face Of a shabby little old man who
was evidently a down-at-the-heel,
musty old sport.
what do you mean," he exploded,
"by asking me to lend you money? ]
never saw you before?"
The sporty person opened his red
trimmed eyes wide with surprise. Say
homes, | thought you was Jenkins he
explained You're the dead image of
him. ONLY guess, his face is kinder
reddern yourn.'
Blairs opinion OF jenkins immedi
ately grew many shades darker, and to
the same extent he felt himself insult
ed. From the several encounters and
from the various greetings he had re.
bn nd hot IanE inc nd
Lis friends we're not of the elite, as
Blair liked to think that he and his
were.
One day at noon he entered one of
the parlors of a downtown hotel, where
he had agreed to meet Mrs Blair. Be.
fore he even caught sight Of his wife
in the opposite corner of the room a
too fashionably attired young woman
arose from a davenport near the door
and addressed him.
Now, Henry, you might We come
sooner. I've been waiting"
Blair looked unrecognizingly at her
His discomfort lasted but moment,
however, for she interrupted herself
with an exclamation cf distress. "Oh,
beg pardon. thought you was Mr. Jen.
kins, gentleman friend Of mine
Stoopid of me, for his eyes are brown. .
There was a flash Of annoyance in
Blairs gray eyes as he crossed over to
his wife. Il seem to have a double, :,
he told her, though his hair, eyes and
face do not quite match mine Besides,
unlike me, he's not punctual I'm go
ing to wait here and find out wherein
my double and | resemble each other"
Shortly thereafter burly but quiet,
inoffensive looking man hastened into
the parlor and greeted the damsel on
the davenport. She took his arm coyly,
and whispered something that caused
her escort to look inquiringly over To-
ward Blair. If he expected a genial re.
eponse from the latter the cold glance
that met him must have been a disap
pointment.
well, do we look anything alike?"
Blair asked his wife.
Certainly not" Mrs. Blair held her
aristocratic head high with indigna
tion at the idea. q suppose it's just
a stupid story that you invented"
"1f l were trying to be funny could
think of something more humorous
than that" said her husband, as they
went on into the dining room.
II should hope SO. Yet, come to
think of it, there is a certain likeness
in your bearing. Besides, he wears
the same peculiar cinnamon brown
overcoat that you do"
"Ill give mine to the janitor to-
night" declared Blair, as load was
removed from his mind.
49,. r. -.