Show fiCTION F ON N r A J K E j I ti IT lI HAT puzzled Paul most was V vi what made girls vulnerable and moon moon eyed eyed whenever his twin brother Peter was about There was no denying it girls usually fell for Peters Peter's line He was smooth i Paul had seen it happen too many times Fear gripped his heart as ashe ashe ashe he thought it was about to happen tonight this again tonight this time to too nice a girl Pensively Paul tugged at the chair under him and moved closer to the table in the El EI Zebra club i He ilie passed his hand fondly and over the beaver jacket on the chair beside him This was Ann a Ann a part of Ann the Ann the delicately I f 2 V t ti i 96 k t v a atad rye IE Thank goodness this was the last dance Paul feared the worst He De tried to put the fear from his mind perfumed fragrance of the jacket I pierced his troubled mind Baffled and driven he came to a decision He resolved after tonight to ape and copy his twin brothers brother's every move and loquacious banter Hed He'd do it and see how far that would get him him for for a change Pauls Paul's eyes searched the dance floor for Peter and Ann They had danced together for the fourth consecutive consecutive consecutive con con- time Thank goodness this was to be the last dance they had agreed to leave upon its completion Ann had said You dont don't mind do you Paul Of course he did But he couldn't let Ann know just then This is some brother you have She smiled into Peters Peter's face as they glided away Some brother is right I Paul thought Probably laying it on again Ann seemed to enjoy it Paul didn't Ann was his girl Ann fitted into Pauls Paul's plans for that part of life lUe he desired A home A charming wife His heart melted every time he dared to think of it He hadn't yet found the courage courage courage cour cour- age to tell her Gracious kind beautiful Ann But he had told her herall herall herall all about himself his early boy boy- hood he the younger of twins he had even told her about Peter He I wasn't afraid of Peter then with two thousand miles between them They'd probably be married before Peter would meet her Paul was afraid of Peter now Breezy garrulous Peter Back home Paul had always been referred referred referred re re- re- re to as the quiet one when the twins were the subject of con con- The trouble with himself Paul thought was that he had always given up too easily to Peter from childhood up Peter always did get the best toys the best bike the best clothes the best of everything Ann was something Paul wanted more than anything else in his life She represented the best of everything everything everything every every- thing to him Determination filled his lean square-jawed square face He WAS the quiet one up until to to- tonight night Long live the new Paul Paull It would not be easy Paul reminded reminded reminded re re- re- re minded himself Peter had years of experience along these lines He regarded life about him with hardened hardened hardened hard hard- ened indifference and when Paul sought to reason with him Peters Peter's face would turn quite blank his eyes evasive He never argued never changed Hed He'd find love cultivate cultivate cultivate cul cul- it to crop taste of it and leave it Now with the thought of losing Ann racing through his nervous system Paul vowed his scruples were to undergo a change Earlier in the evening Peter was in Pauls Paul's apartment talking on the phone Peter Paul said What are you doing in New York I How did you get In hi the apartment Quiet young un Peter had said lie He placed his hand over the mouthpiece of the phone Cant you see Im I'm busy Sorry Say who's Ann Peter whis ANN ANNI I Paul had almost shouted Give me that phone Quick B Be fore you you wreck my life I Yes Ann An knew it was his brother Peter told her after a few minutes of conversation their voices sounded so much alike quite a kidder shed she'd like to meet him Why not bring him along tonight on their date it would be nice hed he'd probably be lonesome she had said Lonesome What a thought to associate with Peter New York would be just an interlude for him the superintendent let me in Youre You're looking great Paul The phone rang so I answered it All Allright Allright Allright right Good Transferred to Massachusetts Mas Mas- You'll be see seem in more of me now Great town Boston Steeped in tradition Girls congenial congenial congenial conge conge- nial too Wouldn't exactly compare compare compare com com- pare with the girls in Texas But all right Great In the apartment Paul wasn't so sure he was doing the right thing taking Peter out on this date he felt uneasy uneasy remembering remembering Peters Peter's technique He had executed a feeler How about making It stag tonight Nothing doing Peter had said Besides youve you've already made the date True the date was made and Ann did want to meet Peter Would she be less susceptible to Peters Peter's soft impeachment Thank goodness this was the last dance Paul feared the worst He lie tried to put the fear from his mind They were coming back to the table now both of them laughing hand- hand in Paul tried to tell himself he was being foolish and torturing the depths of his heart with pain that never really should be there The obsession stayed with him as they reached the street and there took on more agitation Peter said Well Ill I'll leave you two alone now The night is still young for me See you later in the apartment Paul Good night Ann Good night Peter Ann said Call me before you go away TS IS THIS IT Paul wondered Is 1 this the beginning to another broken brok brok- en heart They watched Peter vanish down the dim lit tit street He turned at the next corner and waved In Inthe Inthe Inthe the next instant he was gone and with him a still hushed silence came over the empty street The laughter the gayety the radiance left Anns Ann's face Paul prepared himself bravely for what was to come Ann was talking Peter is fun Fun Was that how lasting love was defined Had fun taken the place of love built on solid deep- deep rooted admiration The love the deepest affection that normally leads to marriage Peter was not ready for that Someone was bound to be hurt cruelly hed he'd not allow it ft to happen to Ann He turned to her words of protest rushing to his lips then lips then suddenly heard her say but of the twins I like you best Paul Paul glowed Ann somehow understood un un- un- un understood understood that life with Peter for any girl would end so soa soa soa so- so a wave of the hand His heart beating beating beat beat- ing wildly there on the walk Paul took Ann into his arms held her close and vowed vowed vowed-to to be himself for forthe forthe forthe the rest of his life |