The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-10
Euening Story
Too Easy.


ry looked glum and crestfallen.
Whats SO funny about it?" he
growled. Haven't I known you long
enough, Betty? Haven't we lived
next door to each other all our lives?
Who's got a better right to propose to
you than I?'
She became more solemn, altho
traces of a smile remained on her at
tractive, rather pert countenance.
why, it's so foolish, Jerry. Think
of you, Jerry, looking out for wife;
you who never did a days work in
your life. who have no responsibilities.
Jerry, you're not the kind girl wants
to marry-at least, not my kind of a
girl. You're too easy, for one thing.
Most girls like to be bossed, tho they
won't admitit. Can you picture your-
self making me do something? No,
of course you can't At least, can't,
and if 1 could might picture myself
marrying you. I'm fond of you, 1 adj
nit, but can't take your proposal
seriously. because I can't take you
seriously. You don't yourself, so how
can 1? No, Jerry, forget it; it can
never be-"
Jerry picked up his tennis racquet
and walked slowly away, scowling
fiercely at Betty's big roadster resting
near the porch of her home. He was
always beaten-at everything he I'M
dertook. When he tried to take Betty
to Mrs. Longworthy's ball he was
beaten by Henry Twite, who had a
more commanding way. This after
noon he was beaten by Betty herself
on the tennis court, and now he was
beaten for sure in the game of love.
He went to his room, banged his
racquet into a closet and flung himself
disconsolately on the bed.
He was discouraged, and at the
same time he was desperate. He
. hi ,-fT Of hinge
| kidnap Betty, just so he could rescue
her and be a hero. His brain framed
up other wild schemes, all of which
he abandoned. He terminated his
frenzied conjecturing by arriving at
the determination to get a job and go
He had in mind no particular job;
the first one that happened along
would satisfy.
Down into the city went Jerry.
! Leaving his car at garage, he started
out job hunting, wandering rather
station at a time when file of blue
coats was coming out, and It made
him stop and think
That's a good chance" he told
himself. 'Why not be policeman?
Perhaps it would make me more COM
manding. It's worth a trial. anyway"
Into the police station he went,
found the captain in charge and asked
for job.
The captain smiled rather perplex
eddy at the good-looking, well-dresed,
rather large youth.
"a job. Ell? Well. we need men.
| Can you manage a motorcycle?"
Jerry nodded vigorously. A motor
/ cycle was one of the few things he
ever had been able to manage.
"Well, we'll give you a trial.
Jerry went thru the formalities nee
essary to become a guardian of the
| law, was equipped with four cylin-
/ der racing motorcycle, and in due
course of time was sent out to Gran
! dell park to patrol the boulevards in
| quest of speeders. He felt misgivings
aplenty, but his nice blue suit impart-
ed a certain degree of confidence.
He stood for some time in the shade
| of a big tree and meditated. While he
stood there at least three big machines
whizzed by going at least forty miles
an hour. And he was supposed to
catch these demons. Well. he couldn't
perform his duty by standing there, so
he started the engine of his motor
cycle. mounted. let in the clutch and
started down the boulevard.
| The job was not exactly to his 1ik-
| ing. In order to make arrests he
would have to appear stern. even pug
nacious. And that went against Jerry's
| grain.
As he neared a curve in the drive
1
| out open. He knew it was a speeder
by the sound. He supposed he would
have to make an arrest, and yet he
| dreaded it.
Around the corner game the auto
| and plunged straight at him. He
swerved his cycle and the speeding
machine missed him by an inch. Then
Jerry became angry, probably for the
| first time in his life. If he hadn't
been quick he would have been a dead
policeman now.
He turned about and gave chase.
The motor car was far along the
boulevard now, but Jerry opened the
throttle and began to gain. Presently
he could see that he was holding his
| own, and his speedometer registered
forty-five miles an hour. He increased
the speed to fifty, then fifty-five and
finally sixty. 1t was a fast automo-
bile, but the motorcycle was faster.
and in a short time Jerry came up
alongside the speeder.
girl was driving, laughing, but
she caught a glimpse of blue out of
the side of her eye and the expression
changed.
"stop!'' roared the peaceful Jerry.
| stop in the name of the law!" The
girl stopped, a troubled look in her
eyes, and drew up TO the side of the
road. Jerry did likewise, and as he
| stepped from his machine he discov-
cred that the girl was Betty.
you're under arrest. he said
gruffly. 'Fll have to take you to the
station
Betty was staring at him rather
1 wildly.
a'Why-why-it can't be jerry" she
exclaimed.
mo matter who it is" he growled.
| You're arrested for speeding and
. you're coming with me to the station
Yes it is Jerry" the girl announced,
amazed. but with evident relief. 81
| guess you must be joking. Where did
you get those buds?
| Never mind" he said pompously.
I'm an officer of the law and you're
| my prisoner"
'T guess not" She laughed. This
is too ridiculous for words. But 1
must be hurrying along, Jerry. have
/ a date with father, and I'm late. "
She made as tho to start the car.
Jerry held up his hand.
I'm not fooling, Betty. You're ar