New Britain herald., 1926-12-11
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WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE

on the Chicago go-Indianapolis train on which Martha had been travel ing.
 Prof Elwell is an artist. He has a -year-old son Jim. Prof and Mollie take the stranger in and. late that night, twin girls are born to the woman, who dies few hours later without leaving trace | of her identity. She had men, toned the name Jack and babbled of leaving a husband who was un- true Her attire had indicated her to be a person of wealth and cul- ture.
 The story then moves forward to
 June of 1916 The allies are de- manding that the United States join hands with them in the war. and in Prof Elwell's workshop, where he paints sidewalks and theater curtains, the reader Is in- troduced to Jim Elwell, now 22, and his fathers partner, and to the twin girls, who have grown i up in the family and are now IF. NOW BEGIN THE STORY CHAPTER II , You're just in time, my dears, was Prof Elwell's greeting to the i twins on this day in June when he had nuenched his thirst and wiped off his lips. You must have had a hunch. Here, Rusty. you're first by reason of being fifteen minutes old CT than Betty. Wet your whistle but be very careful. The can only hold quart, you know
 Rusty, more formally known as Margaret. accepted the proffered can" and clamped her lips over it's rim. Her gravity made it all the more ludicrous. She made funny noises in her throat for some ten , seconds and then passed the pail to Betty, who just as gravely went through the same motions. Jim looked on and waited. Great Snakes!" he burst out sud- denly, Don't you ever come up for little air? Where d'you think you are-in a brewery" and he reached for the pail, q fierce scowl accom- panying the movement. He knew that both detested the taste of beer and only made a pretense of drink ing because they thought they were fooling him. And of course he must let his pals do their stuff" It would be unsportsmanlike to call their bluffs.
 Goodness sakes!" exclaimed Betty, and she looked much az grieved. My but you're stingy with your old can. Ask lady in to have a drink and then jerk it out Of her hands! Haven't you any manners?'
 The answer came from Jim in gurgles. And there was no bluff about that funny noise.' The studs were going down; the tide was falling fast.
 Got plenty Of manners" easped Jim finally when he had pulled his nose out of the pail. Just didn't want yuh to get tight, that's all He winked at his father and set the empty can down on nearby table.
 What do you think of the cur tain?" he asked the twins, waving a hand toward the big canvas. Know what it signifies? Who is the dusky bird in red tights kowtowing to the old geezer with the whiskers" You tell us, Betty, you know your Shakespeare"
 Betty studied the picture with great pretense of puzzled awe. purs- ing her pretty lips and signifying by elaborate grimaces that she was con- ccntrating very deeply.
 "I never could guess, Jim," she made answer finally with an un- ruffled sweetness-she who had read the story of Desdemona many times and who knew perfectly well what the picture represented.
 Jim eyed her with keen approval.
 "You're gettin' on great" he stat cd with comradely familiarity. As a classy little liar I've got to hand 1t to you. You're learning fast. By the time you're twenty you'll be well fitted to realize your life's ambition to be vampire queen of the movies. You're pretty near able to pass mus ter right now"
 Betty bowed.
 Jim told her there was someone present on whom she might practice her wiles. Go vamp Prof into fin ishing the border on that curtain and I'll doll up and take yez over to the Palace for dinner" He inquired of Rusty whether his brogue was pass able and then went on to explain that he had heard the Palace had new string orchestra. How does that suit you kids?"
 "Kids!" The twins snorted in uni- son, Margaret adding. Where do you get that kid stuff, Jim? We're nearly eighteen"
 Jim grinned tolerantly and ad- mitted that he expected they'd grow up some day, and turned toward the basement to change his clothes.
 Betty started in at once on her assignment Of Namplng Prof into do- ing Jim's work. Her efforts seemed to have an immediate effect. A lit- tie bite of his paint-flecked cheek, a little rumpling of his iron-gray hair and a little kiss on the corner of his lip and the Vamp had her subject purring and grinning like the famous Cheshire cat.
 But the treatment appeared to have narcotic effect on Prof for he remained seated after the trio had gone, a fond. retrospective light in his eyes. The painting he ignored.
 Cad, what girls" he solioquzed softly, his mental gaze turning back down the years. Both of 'em. Just like Mollie was at their age"
 He stared collectively at the canvas and Jim's unfinished work. He asked What about Jim?" Where does he get off at? He seems to con- sider them kids yet just about the l,1