The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1918-10-10
QUALIFYING
BY KATHLEEN NJ. MOORE.

| ,'' 'VNh DohSted OF SiX-Stur Serv-
Ice flag.
A few Of the girls had organized a
benefit club.
wen call II the S. S. S. club" sur-
gested Vera Quinn, "and no one but n
soldier or sailors sweetheart will be
eligible" W. ~
FINER exclaimed Gladys. "Tben
babs won't be eligible, because She
hasn't any sweetheart"
The aforementioned Babs heard Of
the plans and applied for membership
on the ground that she had two broth
ers and four cousins in the seryice--aII
volunteers.
but y)u must have sweetheart In
order to qualify" Informed Vera. "we
are sorry, but you can't join"
Oh' very well, miss" she replled
tartly. "i1l qualify before another
month Il up or my name isn't Barbara
Helena willows"
And to think Babs will flnd a SAM
my sweetheart In Genvllle before n
month" laughed Ruth. another of the
members.
Girls called Vera. "well put Il this
way: II Barbarn willows gets n sweet
heart In the service Inside of one
month well have TO admit her to our
eirb II not, she can't have another
chance
Arriving at this agreement, the club
adjourned.
Two days passed. and soon they
grew Into weeks. Babs was seen In the
park frequently with Ted Barlowe, the
dude Of the town.
The club met for its regular weekly
meeting. and since Bnbs had another
week In which TO qualify. the whole
evening was spent In discussing her
progress.
Tuesday night came and the girls
had assembled early and were awnlt-
Ing BarbarA anxiously.
"Has anyone seen Barbara since our
last meetlng7" asked the president.
There came n chorus OF noes.
The discussion drifted 70 new fam-
ily that had moved TO Genvlile few
days ngo. Fifteen minutes had eiapsed,
but no Bnrban--then there came
long peal from the doorbell.
There she ls now" they all cried. as
Ruth hastened to open the door.
Babs entered looking very charming.
and. smiling prettily. she said: swell.
girls, | have won without trying. and
now may ! be member Of your select
ciubf
First give us evidence OF your quail
ncations." demanded Vera. growing
uneasy.
YES. produce evidence" cried the
others.
"very WE'LL" replied Babs. In mat
ter-of-fact tone OF voice. MY work
this month has not been In vain." she
began. II not only made myself eligible
to the club. but I helped increase the
ranks OF Uncle Sam by three. Evi-
dencef' and here she opened the door
end admitted two khaki-ciad and one
snilor-cisd boy.
The girls gasped In surprise. as they
behsid Art Gordon and Bill Stratam in
khaki and Ted Bariows In natty blue
sailor suit.
Here's IL my evidence" Babs con-
tinued. taking note OF the surprised
looks on the girls faces.
When Vera had regnined her com
posure she said somewhat nervousiy:
but which is your sweetheartf They
can't all be-
'But we'd like to-" pipsd the boys
cheerily.
"None OF Them" and Babs laughed
michievopsly.
"None OF them echoed the girls.
''Then l fall TO see where you have
qualified" Vera said hastily.
"But. Miss President" don't jump at
conclusions" Barbara responded. II
haven't finished yet. Here Il my sweet
heart. and here 10 proof that he is my
sweetheart" and she held up her left
hand. displaying a dazzling solitaire.
At the same time stalwart young
man. dressed In khaki, made his APP
pearance. smiling
"Allow me 20 Introduce Sergt Al
bert Phillips. new resident OF the
town OF Genvllle." said Babbs. ser
geant Phillips and l have been good
friends for a long time. met him
through my brother when he was at
camp" In answer to their questioning
glances. "Belng home on furlough be-
cause OF Injuries sustained In action.
he paid me a surprise visit. Ted. Bill
and Art having listened 10 my preach
ing for a month or more. enlisted for
Uncle Sam and elected me AZ their
godmother. Now have quallnedr
The girls cast envious glances TO
ward Babs and her young army. After
bIjef silence Vera said: "We GER
tainly take on our hats 10 you. Bar
bara. You have overqualined. We ad-
NIT you for a fuIl-dedged member
Barbara smiled upon her army,
which stood erect behind her and said
"WelI. boys. hare come out vlctori-
Ous. just like you boys are going to do
some day" and turning TO her club
sisters she said "We'li leave Genyille
tomorrow. The boys for their different
stations and for a farm where l am