Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1917-01-11
THE TWINS
BY ANNA PHILLIPS SEE.


for the right offense. AS they grew
ND and became Of marriageable age,
they found the girls of the town no.
ticeably coy. No one wished to marry
a Poindexter twin and never be sure
of her husbands identity.
When the twins grasped the fact
they separated. John when into busl-
ness in New York, while jeffrey re-
manned in the home town. After a
few months the same town was ell
llvened by invitations to the wedding
of John Poindexter and Miss Mar
torie Brooks of New York city.
After John and Marjorie had set
tied down in their brand-new fiat, John
suddenly felt longing to have JEFF
frey live with them. The twin feel
ing" came over him so firmly that 1t
rivaled his affection for his wife. Mar
jorie was good-natured and said yes.
Jeffrey accepted the invitation with
Joy.
For time all was well. The first
unpleasantness was the abrupt depar-
ture of Katie, the middle-aged dOmes-
tic treasure.
Marjorie was much cast down at
this detection, but she revived when
she secured at the agency wonder
who was willing to step Immediately
into Katie's shoes. The bride gloried
In her luck to the twins.
"Why, boys, I never saw such a
pretty, intelligent girl in a servants
bureau in my life. She knows all
about hygiene and domestic science
and-everything-
"Whew! I can see you being taught
your place, Miss Brooks" said her hus-
band, who was given to addressing his
wife thus unexpectedly.
The new maids first appearance be-
tore the assembled family was ut din
DER time. When she entered the din
ing room, at sight Of the two men she
turned pale, then crimsoped to her
pretty blonde hair, and the tray fell
from her hands with loud clatter
Marjorie regarded her with reproach
and John with amusement, but JEFF
frey gazed at the girl with look of
amazement which never left his face
during the meal. Jane, however, soon,
recovered her composure and acquit-
ted herself so admirably that the lady
IF the house was greatly pleased with
her maids abilities.
So great did these abilities prove
to be during the succeeding days that
Marjorie planned little visit out of
town, relying on James abilities to run
the house. At the last moment she
weakened in her purpose, for jeffrey
PoindeXter was sent West on business
for his firm. 'Tm going to stay at
home. You'll be lonesome with Jeffrey
away, too," Marjorie declared. But
John would not hear of her giving up
a weeks pleasure and she reluctantly
carried out her plans.
When the day came for her return
she telegraphed her husband to meet
her at the Union station. On her ar
rival no John with smile Of greet
ing stood in the mob behind the rope,
and she was disappointed. To be
treated thus after her first absence
from her husband! All the long jour
aey uptown she nursed her disappoint-
ment till it became grievance. When
she reached home at five o'clock she
was in anything but a wifely frame of
mind.
The parlor was in exquisite order,
but empty, as might have been expect
ed. Proceeding down the hall toward
the kitchen she heard voices-Jane's
and a mans. The mans voice was that
Of a Poindexter twin. JEFF was in
Denver, therefore-ah, now, she knew
why John hadn't met her at the sta
ton! She crept to the door and lis
tened, not guiltily, but boldly.
eyes, that's the way you always
put me Off. And you say you love
NE"
II d." interrupted Jane.
At the unmistakable sound Of kiss
which followed, Marjorie felt herself
grow faint and sick. In a voice of res
ignation the man took up the conversa-
ton:
"Well, then, suppose We'll have to
go on keeping everything dark. When
Marjorie comes back"
Marjorie is back !" cried Mrs. John
Poindexter, dramatically throwing
wide the door. The guilty ones jumped
apart at her sudden appearance and
the man turned his face toward her.
"Why, Jeffrey Poindexter!' cried his
sister-in-law, II thought you were in
Denvcrw
"Well, I was, but I got home this
morning. guess you've surmised
our secret, Marjorie" he added with
some embarrassment, looking toward
Jane, who still remained calm. "You
see, we've been engaged for two years,
but Jane won't marry me till she's fin
ished her book, which takes lot Of
investigation into the life Of wage
earners. Just now she's playing that
she's domestic helper to see how
it feels. OF course, she didn't know
you were my sister-in-law when she
came here" he fastened to say, as he
saw Marjorie's darkening brow.
"Indeed / didn't" corroborated
Jane Gaylord. "But when had taken
the place I couldn't very well with
draw. Besides" here a sudden blush
and smile overcame the gravity Of her
expression-"besides, really couldn't
forego living under the same roof with
jeff, even as the cook ladyl"
Copyright, 1916, by the Mcclure Newspa.
per Syndicate.
Correct Thought First.
Cn.;ol rnRor,, t. ,,o+ - H..