The bee., 1916-12-05
HELPING OUT
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

would mind II 1 take Nancy for a
ride" Gretchen Van Doom, light haired
and blue-eyed as her Dutch name inn
piled, smiled the inquiry.
mo, fairy godmother, wouldn't.
Moreover, don't suppose It would do
much good for me to object II you and
Nancy have made up your minds to
60. Ell, klddleT as a little girl OF
seven ran around the house from the
street.
"But-since you call me fairy god
mother'-Tll have to dress her. Her
hair ribbons, for instance, won't do.
You see, you put on one red one and
one blue this morning, and I'd like
to get the mate Of either one"
Alan smoothed the hair over his
temple as he did when perplexed.
''Well, does 1t make any difference7
Do they have to match? was think
ing when put them on that they
were like my bed Of oriental poppies
and blue larkspur." d
A quick look Of sympathy came over
Gretchen's face. The artist and his
little girl were at once the despair and
amusement of KentborO, for little
Nancy came forth In some of the
Queerest rigging that ever adorned a
child.
Come on" purred Nancy, so the
two disappeared into the house.
'Td like to paint her among the
peoples and larkspur," he thought.
There was a sound Of a motor stop
ping at the front Of the house and a
man came around into the garden.
"WalterT cried the man among the
flowers.
'How do you do. AlanT greeted the
other cordially enough, coming up
close and holding out a hand.
"Yes. l do my own gardening"
said Alan simply. I'm glad to see
you. Won't you come into the houseT"
at is pleasant out here. Can't we
SIT down on this bench under the
treef" asked the newcomer. Il can't
stay long anyway and, needless to
say, came on business"
II suppose it's the same old story"
said Alan wearily as they sat down.
pretty much. Alan-see here
you've been acting the tOmfooI long
enough. The business has grown and
fathers getting old. There's too much
for me to manage and the big profits
are going to strangers. You can't
make a decent living daubing."
Alan did not answer,
i IF You're thinking Of the other"
went on his brother, "that can be ar
ranged. OF course you can't bring
the girl you married with you, but
there's money enough In the family to
take care Of that as long as there's a
court in the land"
"Stop" cried Alan. II don't care
to hear any more. I've been happy
for years, and now you come to spoil
It."
Gretchen and Nancy appeared Just
then at the back door.
Il think we have everything. Good
by" called Gretchen smilingly from
the door.
"Wln you come here a minute
dear1" asked Alan.
Gretchen Obeyed, bat she was puz-
zled. Had she heard aright? Had he
really called her "deaT2"
walter, I want you to meet my
wife. This Is my brother, Walter Pier
pOnt."
Gretchen held out her hand mechan-
ically and managed to smile. She was
too much puzzled to protest; besides,
something tense and pleading in
Alan's face helped ker to play the
part.
II am very glad to meet you," she
smiled. 1--WE would like to have you
stay but" she turned to Alan rather
helplessly-"we are going on a little
trip today. Is that right-dearT
THANK you. l didn't come to stay.
came-On business purely and that
seems to be concluded" said Walter
as he took his leave.
The two stood in the garden until
the sound Of the car died away. Then
Alan said; 'Thank you, Miss Gretch-
enl l had to do 1t. He came to me
with a dastardly proposition. not
knowing Nancy's mother was dead. If /
had told they would never let me |
alone until l went back to a world l
hate. Besides, they would take Nancy
away from me. You don't mind, do
you?"
mo, don't mind" said Gretchen. |
"As nearly as can make out that |
isn't very much different from match
ing up Nancy's hair ribbons. 1t all |
comes in the line of duty"
Later on, Alan painted Grctchens |
picture among the flowers, and It sold |
for a top-nOtch price.
The letter with a check came one |
day when Alan had begun to despair.
Gretchen came into the garGen. II
came to borrow Nancy, she said.
"We're going for a ride"
'pve good news" he cried. THE
picture sold for a thousand dollars
You are certainly my good fairy. But
the name on the check is my fathers
Walter win see the picture and say
instantly, That is Alan's wife r"
ut doesn't matter" said Gretchen
flushing. II don't care-if you don't |"
"But do care want II to be
really true, dearl"
ttT sort Of have tha habit NJ doing