The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1919-06-05
The Duplex
House
Copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper Union.)
By JESSIE E. sHERWIN

Whedon, his fancy was caught by the
architects idea of a twin structure,
quite popular with people who wished
TO live in part of the same and rent
the balance.
The duplex" house was simply one
%edifice comprising two equal halves
Joined together with separate en-
frances. Each section had six rooms
and a thin wall separated them.
Richard Dale's health broke down.
The physicians recommended Califor-
MIA as a permanent home. He sold off
most of his realty holdings. The last
one of the twin houses was left in his
hands. At the final moment of his de-
!parture a whimsical idea took posses
sion of him. Forthwith he repaired to
THE office Of his attorney.
Parsons" he said, you know my
cousin, John Briggs?"
"Oh, yes. He was in here yesterday
paying his monthly maintenance in
:stallment to his wife. She'll be in to
get it today. There she is now"
II think would like to have few
words with her." said Mr.. Dale, and as
a brisk, nervous, worried.looking wom-
an entered the room he greeted her
with courtesy, almost friendly warmth.
II am glad of an opportunity to meet
you before I 60 away" he said at once
II am sorry, Betty, that you and John
continue to live apart"
"You will obfige me by not referring
to the subject, Mr.. Dale" said Betty
Briggs, with severity and decision
I'VE just couldn't get along together.
It's better as it is, and there can be
NO change"
"Very WE'LL" spoke Mr.. Dale. II
naturally feel an interest in my cousin
and his affairs, as well as in your own.
In fact, came to see Mr.. Parsons up
ON your mutual account. He will make
a proposition to you as to each Of you
having q home after I am gone.
must express the hope, however, that
you will let bygones be bygones and.
as you should do, live in happy uni
SON."
Betty Briggs shifted stubbornly and
slightly tossed her head. Before the
week was out first she and then her
husband called in turn upon the law
yer to consider a truly remarkable
proposition.
I The lawyer had received explicit in
structions from Mr.. Dale, who felt
Kindly toward them. There was the
twin house on Orchard street. He pro-
posed that Mr.. Briggs should occupy
one half of it and Mrs. Briggs the
other half. At the end of year each
was to receive deed, and thus a per-
manent home would be guaranteed to
them.
The proposal was acted upon with
:alacrity by John Briggs. He promptly
removed his sparse furnishings into
the west half of the duplex house. A
week later his wife settled down into
the east half. She passed her husband
on the street, head high in the air, and
so stern and severe was her demeanor
that John, half inclined to nod, was
frozen to rigidity by that glance.
Thus there became presented to the
community the odd situation of a re-
spectacle couple, apparently parted
for life, yet practically living under
one and the same roof. When John
came out to sit on his front porch his
wife kept out of view. When they met
he lowered his eyes and she fixed her
own steadily ahead. Then, one day
when she was absent, John slipped
piled up one-half cord of wood. Betty
was trifle touched at this unexpect-
ed act Of devotion, but made no out
ward recognition of it and time drift
ed on and the ice was not broken.
It was a dark. stormy night as Bet
ty was just preparing to retire, when
she started, thrilled, as from beyond
the separating wall of the twin struc-
ture there sounded out shot and then
b loud cry. She seemed to catch the
echo of some object falling to the floor.
She was not a timid woman and the
strange sounds advised her that some
thing unusual had transpired. Her
first thought was suicide. AS she went
to the back door and noted two men
running across the yard she OWNED
the real situation-robbery, perhaps
murder! ~.
i, Mrs. Briggs was over the fence, spry
as a schoolboy. The rear door of the
east house was open. She dashed into
the house, to come upon her husband
lying weltering in blood upon the floor.
A cabinet had been ransacked and
the evidences Of robbery were patent.
John was insensible and the blood was
trickling from a wound in his breast.
Betty was prompt in tearing away his
shirt. Then she rushed for water
and cloths. A bullet had grazed the
breast and furrowed skin-deep
course. AS she ministered to the
stricken man she noted, suspended by
faded string of ribbon around his
neck small miniature. 1t was por-
trait Of herself she had given him
years ago, and at this evidence of his
fidelity she burst into tears and bent
down and kissed him just as he opened
his eyes.
When doctor called he simply