The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-01-23
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
The Undaunted Twins.
az coRoMA, REMINeToN.

E he ls....,.. u.rr.rt .tooa
ON tlptoe and; straining every
n,urcle, tri9d her best to reach 1t, but
she missed the mark by fully six in
ches
Help! Hop.s she screamed again
as she stamped her foot and attempts
ed once more to span the distances
On. the verge of Mysteries, half
laughing aud half weeping, she strug-
gled and twisted and turned and 'pl-
voted endlessly.
IF Il ever get my hands on you'll"
she threatened, clenching. her fists
and shaking them in midair; but her
words brought forth only echoes from
the big silent house.
The girl listened to the sounds out
side-h machine went gliding past,
then street car and a truck, but of
course, they could not hear her. At
last car pulled up at the curbing
and stopped. Constance shut her eyes
tight and put all her force in her next
scream. With electric rapidity thump-
ing footsteps rushed on the porch and
a heavy bulk threw itself against the
door. IL was locked and refused TO
yield. FeSsfng her rescuer might es-
cape, Constance repeated her suppl
cations with renewed vigor. In a
frenzy her deliver hurled asflower pot
through one of the big plate glass
windows and followed on its heels.
A second later he stood petrifted be-
fore her.
sTom!n she exclaimed.
For the love OF Mike!" calculated
the young man, his face relaxing. az
thought you were bound, gagged and
strangled with three daggers stuck
through you.'
II didn't yell like 1t, did II"
Fact, but who ever played such a
trick on yop?" asked Tom, beginning
10 laugh.
IF you laugh, I'll kill you when 1
get loose, Threatened the girl.
But how did 1t happen?" he inquir-
ed again.
I'll washed my hair this morning
and Braided it up to dry and those
twin cousins of mine caugsL mo and
tied my plat to the chandelier for a
Joke. Then they bolted and I have
been screaming ever since, but there
was no one to hear me-, as Aunt
Flossy's up town. You'd think Ralph
and Jack were grammar school kids
instead Of college men.
Hurry up and unite me, then tell
me what you're doing here"
IL insist on telling you first he
answered, "and I've got you where i
want you now. came here to ask you
for the fortieth time to marry me-,
You know you're going to do it in the
end, so why Keep me dangling any
longer I'll unite you when you've said
yes, then we III cook up some scheme
TO ayengeF ourselves on the twins"
Tom sat down and examined a
book.
forget We're going to get back at the
twins .,
Constance's deep blue eyes grew al
most black with anger.
Il lust hate youl" she stormed.
Tom went over to her and took her
hands, which she pettishly tried to
wrench away.
-con1 lance he said, suddenly
grown solemn, you can't look me in
the eye and say that-you know you
can't.
In reply she wept out her tears on
his Shoulders
II guess we'll have to be engaged
now she said few minutes later,
K her plat still suspended from the
y chandel ier, because always said
'iiI'd never let anybody but my fiancs
k-kiss me"
Tom promptly did it again, then
united her braid.
FIJI do what can to help you get
back at the twins this time, but I'll
always love them" declared Tom.
Whatl we do to snare them?" in
CURED the girl.
He Thought a few seconds.
That smashed window looks spec
tacular, he commented. "Shall we
try to brighten them "a whole lot or
just q little?"
"oh, lots and lots, was the eaget
rAll right then, suppose, write a
note something like this:
have reskewed yor cousin and
have her In safe keeping You can
have her back for $1,000 cash which
put in lily bed IN her mothers ward
at eleven tomorrow mite. II you don't
do better we'll do worse. 1.-THE Black
Hand q
eGreat!' exclaimed the girl, her
eyes dancing. We'll turn the tables on
them this time Now I'll run up stairs
and get ready. Be back in jifty."
"A few minutes later, Constance
came down dressed for the street, her
cheeks pink with excitement.
This Is positively thrilling!" she
declared as they got into the car to-
gether.
= never was so happy in my life"
said Tom, .but guess well cure the
twins this time" he smiled
Il hope It scares them into spasms,"
replied Constance fervently. 81 pulled
80 hard when tried to get loose from
the chandelier that my scalp's still
tingling.
The big touring, car ate up the
white road in front of it, with remark
able speed, and they reached their
destination long before sunset. AS
soon as the first excitementI was
over, Mrs. Maynard handed Tom
telegram. -
1T arrived Just before you did, she
iexplatned See. they addressed II
care of me; SO 1t must be some one
who knew you were going to be here
this afternoon. d
Ripping open the enevelope, he
read: