The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-13
EDening Story
The Right Twin for Jerry.
BY II. LOUIS RAYBOLD.

d II. LNiOlS TIA BULB.
That's my ultimatum, Jerry" said
Jerry's father slowly, and the finality
Of his tone lent emphasis to his words.
Pm tired of your devil-may- care
ways and the wild crowd of young
people you travel with. Cut it out, my
son, find girl like your mother, marry
her and settle down. Or else get out
and shift for youselfi"
Young Jerry Cowles, slumped in his
chair, looked moodily up at his father
towering over him. Harsh words
dadi" he said soberly.
.,,,, That may be" gsoweled his parent,
You've been no good to me or to your
self since you got out of college. Tear
ing around in that car OF yours.
smashing speed limits, fox trotting all
night-Lord, Jerry, when I was your
age he paused in exasp Grafton as
eyes of himself at twenty-three, an in
dustrious husband and father.
Il know, dad, but the times
THE times be hangedl" calculated
the older man. They are overworked
nowadays as an excuse for any tom
foolery. What you need is wife and
home to give you a sense of respon-
sibility. Only, mind you. have no
use for the sort of girl you seem to
fancy. Surely, somewhere, there's a
girl who isn't all speed fiend. jazz
cigaret deVotee, fashion plate"
Jerry WINGED Was his father visu-
alizing Becky Lenox, to whom at least
some of those terms applied? Becky
Lenox, with whom he was frightfnlly
in love.
the sort of girl I would welcome as
my daughter-in-law and I'll furnish
your home for a wedding present, set
tie on you now what would likely
come to YOU on my death and take
you into the business as junior part
ner. I'm that anxious to have you
make success of your lifei"
Jerry rose impulsively. IL
thanks, dad" he said. "tl think it
over
But as he turned away to dress for
the Lenox dance at the Lawn club his
heart was heavy within him. Becky
was little peach, but never in all the
world would she meet his fathers old
fashioned requirements. Yes, dad be-
longed to a bygone generation to
whom love for the prevailing style
of dancing spelled no less than total
moral depravity and for whom the
slightest hint of artificiality in a
girls complexion utterly dimmed, and
damned. whatever else of beauty she
possessed.
It was during the internission on
the cool, darkened veranda that Jerry
poured out his woes to the sparkling,
daringly dressed piece of femininity
that was Becky. And he used his pre-
dicament as an excuse for letting
Becky know he loved her.
you see, dear" he wound up earn
estly. 81 wouldn't speak before be-
cause I had nothing to offer you. And
now, why, I'm afraid just because
you're so gloriously up to date and
oh, snappy and full of pep that dad
i q
only thing for me! You ought to have
been born dowdy and homely and with
Fspectacfes or-why, Becky, what's
up?"
For Becky had jumped up and was
pirouetting wildly about. IAN idea,
dered if his mother had ever called
his father that. introduce Bess TO
your father-but marry mel"
For Becky had a twin, identical in
looks but the very opposite in tastes
and characteristics. Given over to
phiiology, philosophy and pbilan-
thropy, she had lately taken to wear
ing huge tortoise shell spectacies which
lent her an air of as great a serious
ness as one could wish. Certainly. one
look at her and Jerry's father would
realize that his son would be under
calm and steadying influence.
Now because Jerry was desperately
in love and so temporarily blinded to
all else he fell right in with Becky's
scheme; nor did he worry about the
intended deception of his father.
Once married to Becky his father
would surely capitulate to her charms
and forgive the trick played upon him.
eff father approves of your sister.
we'll elope. How about it, dear?' And
Becky whispered yes as would have
most any girl held close in the arms
of a nice youth like Jerry.
With characteristic energy, Jerry
put in motion at once the wheels of
his plan. Told his father he vas en-