Las Vegas optic., 1914-10-10

Harold puzzled over this perplexing
question the more difficult 1t seemed
Of solution.
He finally decided that he was not
in love with either Of the twins. but
with both Of them, collectively and in
the plural. This was an unusual pre-
dicament. he thought and he lost
three pounds In a week worrying
about it.
His mother became alarmed and put
a plaster on his chest Harold, like a
dutiful son, submitted, although he
knew that plaster on his chest
would not palliate his peculiar malady.
Every time he saw the twins-they
were always together-his affection
and his affliction grew deeper At last,
In pure self-defense. he determined to
end the uncertainty by proposing to
either Louise or Eloise.
He didn't care which he married, for
they would move away after marriage,
perhaps, and be happy.
The very next evening he called on
the Misses Stone.
He had done so very frequently, so
they had no reason to suspect the i'm
port of his visit. They greeted him
with unusual warmth, 1t seemed to
Harold, and his tagging determination
crystalized. Shortly after he arrived
on his amorous errand, one Of the
twins withdrew from the little parlor,
and Harold took a flying leap at his
opportunity.
Rushing to the side Of the remaining
twin, he blurted out his confession OF
deep-seated love and asked her, mine
ing his words somewhat, to become his
beautiful, blushing bride, the details to
be arranged later. She had started to
reply when the sister suddenly re-
turned, after which the evening waned
slowly.
No other opportunity of settling the
dilemma arising, Harold prepared to
leave, thinking meanwhile of another
night of tossing in indecision,
One of the twins walked with him
to the curb when he departed, and,
having every reason to suspect she
was the one to whom he had tried to
propose In the parlor, he reiterated his
proclamation of deep devotion as well
as his suggestion of wedding bells at
an early date.
The twin asked him for time to
think it over. She would reply to the
momentous question on the following
day.
Early the following morning mes
senger came to the drug store with a
note for Harold. 1t was inclosed in a
pale blue envelope and was delicately
scented with violet. 1t ran:
Dear Boy:
was surprised last night by your pro-
posal and take this means OF accepting.
Come up tonight, and let us break the
glad news to sister and mother
Devotedly,
Harold's heart gave flutter with
the glad emotion Of ownership. The
sun seemed very bright, and the fizz
Of the soda had more pleasant CUR
gle.
Another messenger arrived with a
note for Harold. 1t was inclosed in a
pale pink envelope and was delicately
scented with heliotrope.
Probably note of congratulation
from Eloise, thought Harold.
He was not mistaken. 1t was from
Eloise. all right. and ran:
Harold:
OF course l accept your love, and Will
marry you in June. Devotedly,
The world grew black, and Harold
went home feeling Ill.
That night, without bidding adieu to
anyone, he tagged train mile west
Of town and went farther west. where
he decided to remain.
Years later, after he had married a
farmers daughter, his wife became the
mother of twin daughters.
Harold thought 1t would be nice to
call one Of them Louise and the other
Eloise, because they looked SO much
alike.