The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-01
Epcning Story
Double Trouble.
BY r. RAY BAKER

When at home in a big Ohio city
Kearns & Kearns dealt in hardware.
In the northern resort where they
were spending the summer, however,
they suddenly found themselves deal
ing in love.
Nice looking young men were AL
fred and Charley Kearns. but never
had they been sufficiently lured by
feminine charms to plunge into the
firmed bachelors. they thought, with
minds for nothing but business.
When at home Kearns & Kearns
took pains to dress decidedly different,
because they were twins who looked
almost exactly alike, even when side
, by side, and they were anxious to
avoid complication in their dealing
with patrons.
BY some stroke of good fortune a
man came to work for the firm who
was exceptionally reliable and pro-
gressiye. and the twins decided they
would go on frolic and leave him in
charge. During their five years OF
business not one vacation had they
attempted, and they thought it was
high time they tasted of little recre-
alton. So they went together to the
northern resort
Out for a lark, they saw opportuni-
ties for fun in their looking alike, SO
they dressed exactly the same in sum
mer buds.
noon while Alfred was walking along
the lake shore in quest of oddities in
| beach stones. A young woman en-
gagged in the same pastime almost
bumped into him, because both their
heads were down as they searched
the shore line. and they struck up an
acquaintanceship. She was a pretty
girl, who was summering with an aunt
in lake short cottage, and she had
some fascinating ways about her Al
fred escorted her home and learned
her name was May Winters He ar
ranged to see her again few nights
hence.
The very next afternoon May re-
sumed her hunt for beach stones. and
it SO happened that Charles Kearns
was out for stroll in the same local
ity. She called to him, and naturally
he responded, and hurried to her side,
altho he wondered at her action.
The ensuing conversation served as
an explanation, and Charles did not
say he was not Alfred. The brothers
were out for lark, SO why miss this
opportunity.
Charles told Alfred of the incident
and they agreed to continue the de-
cepuon for a short time. 1t was not
quite right, of course, but no doubt
May Winters was a summer flirt and
1t would do no harm to teach her a
lesson.
But, alas for the success of the lark!
Kearns Sc Kearns fell in love, and the
trouble began. Alternately they called
upon her and took her canoeing and
to dances, and by agreement the one
who was not so engaged kept to his
room in order to avoid complications
Now, while Alfred and Charles were
alike in appearance, they were differ
ent in dispositions. Charles was con-
ceited5 while his brother was inclined
to modesty and backwardness. Charles
TlF-id ad hi no
gressive and admitted the success of
the hardware business was due to his
efforts. Alfred was more of a figure
head. according to Charles's ideas.
Being more progressive in business,
Charles felt that he should have the
right of way in love. So one evening
he summoned Alfred to a consultation.
''This thing has got to stop" said
Charles firmly, as they sat on the
edge of their bed. I'm in love with
Miss Winters and have decided to
marry her You must stay away from
her and leave a clear track for me-"
THAT would be all right" admitted
Alfred, with a tinge. of sarcasm, "only
it happens I'm just about as much in
love with Miss Winters as you are; in
fact, probably more so. I've decided
TO make her Mrs. Alfred Kearns'
Their further discussion resulted in
the exchange of some rather angry
words, and things went on as before.
Three days later Charles. in desper-
alton. convened another conference
There's only one way to settle it,
he declared. land that's to fight
duel. However, 1 have no desire to
kill or be killed, so I suggest we bowl
to see which of US drops out Nof the
race. The winner will be given a clear
ira ck'
At first Alfred demurred. 1t was
not right. he argued, to play game
for lady's affections. On the other
hand, Charles pointed out that 1t was
hardly the correct thing to continue
the deception.
We've got to settle it some way"
he said. wen bowl and the winner
will propose to Miss Winters the next
time he sees her. OF course if she
rejects him the loser can camp on her
trail as much as he pleases. 1 don't
mind telling you, tho, that she favors
me. She's given me a lot of encour-
agement. You know our personalities
are different, and when she's with me
no doubt she feels different than when
with you Yes, the only way to settle
it is to bowl"
Both Alfred and Charles were ten
pin enthusiasts, but secretly for the
last several days the latter had been
practicing, having in mind the idea he
had just offered to his twin.
Alfred went into the game with a
prayer on his lips. but he was beaten.
Charles struck out while Alfred
made only nine pins in the tenth
frame The tenth pin wabbled but did
not fall, and Charles was winner by
seven pins.
1T was Fate" Alfred told himself
g1oomily as he retired that night. The
other side of the bed was unoccupied.
because Charles was calling on May
making his proposal.