Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1922-01-20
Alfred's Twin
Brother
BY r. RAY BAKER.

o 1874. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
When at home in a big Ohio city
keaTns & KeaTns 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
sea OF matrImOny. They were con-
firmed bachelors, they thought, with
minds for nothing but business.
When at home Kearns & Keans
took pains 10 dress decidedly different
because they were twins who looked
almost exactly alike, even when side
by side, and they were anxious to
avoid complications In tlicir dealings
with patrons.
by some stroke OF good fortune a
man came 20 work for the firm who
was exceptionally reliable 9nd pro-
gressiye. and the twins decided they
would 90 OH a frolic aud leave him in
charge. During their five years Of
business not one vacation had they
attempted. and they thought IL was
high time they tasted of Il little recre.
ntl0n. SO they went together 10 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.
The trouble all started one afternoon
10 hit a.
lake shore in quest of oddities In beach
stones. A young woman engaged 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 acquaintance
ship. She was pretty girl who was
summerlng with an aunt In a lake
shore cottage, and she had some fas-
cinating ways about her. Alfred es-
corted her home and learned her name
was May Winters He arranged TO see
her again a few nights hence.
The very next afternoon May re-
sumed her hunt for beach stones, and
II so happened that Charles Kearns
was cat for stroll In the same local
ity. She called TO him, and naturally
although he wpndered at her action.
The ensuing conversation served as
an explanation, and Charles did not
say he was not Alfred. The brothers
were out for a lark, so why miss this
opportunity.
Charles told Alfred of the incident
and they agreed To continue the de-
ception for a short time. Twas not
quite right: of course, but no doubt
May Winters was a summer nirt and
! Il would do no harm To teach her a
-lesson. .- -
But. alas for the success Of the
lark Kearns X kearns fell in love.
and the trouble began. Alternately
they called upon her and took her
canoeing and 10 dances, and by agree
ment 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 diff
ferent in dispositions Charles was
conceited while his brother was In
clined TO modesty and hackwardness.
Charles prided himself as being the
more progressive and admitted the
success of the hardware business was
due TO his efforts. Alfred was more
of a figurehead according to Charles
ideas.
Being the mere progressive i'm bust
ness, Charles felt that he should have
the right of why in love. So one eve
ming he summoned Alfred to u consul
tation.
'srhis thing has got to stop said
s. Charles firmly, as they sat on tile
! edge of their bed. "Tm in love with
IS Miss Winters and have decided 10
marry her. You must stay away from
her and leave clear track for me-"
"rhat would be all right" admit
ted Alfred with a tlnge of sarcasm,
"only Il happens I'm just about as much
in love with Miss Winters as you are
I'm fact, probably more So. I've de-
cided TO make her Mrs. Alfred kearnS."
Their further discussion resulted I'm
the exchange of some rather angry
words. and things went on as before.
Three days later Charles, i'm des-
peration, convened another conference.
There's only one way 10 settle it,"
he declared. and that's to fight
duel. However l have no desire to
kill or be killed. SO suggest we bowl
10 see which Of Us drops out OF the
race. The winner viii be given clear
track" LAX rs
At first Alfred demurred 1t was
not right, he argued. to play a game
fer a lady'S affections. on the other
hand, Charles pointed out that it was
hardly the correct thing 10 continue
the deception.
We've got TO settle il some way"
he said. "Well bowl, and the winner
will propose TO Miss Winters the next
time lac sees her. OF course if she re-
jects him the loser can camp on her
trail IS much as he pleaSes. l don't
mind telling YOU, though that she