diff --git a/core/java/src/org/broadinstitute/sting/utils/Pair.java b/core/java/src/org/broadinstitute/sting/utils/Pair.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e7cbf2e3f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/java/src/org/broadinstitute/sting/utils/Pair.java
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+package org.broadinstitute.sting.utils;
+
+
+public class Pair<X,Y> {
+    // declare public, STL-style for easier and more efficient access:
+    public X first; 
+    public Y second;
+
+    public Pair(X x, Y y) { first = x; second = y; }
+
+    public void set(X x, Y y) { first = x; second = y; }
+
+    /** Java-style getter; note that we currently allow direct access to 
+        the member field.
+    */
+    public X getFirst() { return first; }
+
+    /** Java-style getter; note that we currently allow direct access to 
+        the member field.
+    */
+    public Y getSecond() { return second; }
+}