The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1918-11-21
QUALIFYING
BY KATHLEEN M. MOORE.

was only a small town. Tho
male population was in the minority
out the town boosted of a six-star sery.
ice flag.
A few of the girls had organized O
benefit club.
wen call it the S. S. S. club" sue.
gested Vera Quinn, land no one but a
Soldier or sailors sweetheart will he
eligible"
zine" exclaimed Gladys. "Theu
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 n four cousins in the seryice-ol1
volunteers.
But YOU must have a sweetheart in
order to qualify" Informed Vera. eve
are sorry, but you can't join"
ION, very well, MISS" she replied
tartly. "1ll qualify before another
month is up or my name isn't Barbara
Helena Willows"
And to think Babs will find a Sam
my sweetheart in Genville before 81
month"; laughed Ruth, another of the
members.
Girls" called Vera, swell put it this
way: If Barbara Willows gets a sweet
heart in the service inside of one
month We'll have to admit her TO orr
club; IT 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 it's regular weekly
meeting, and since Babs had another
week in which to qualify, the whole
evening was spent in discussing her
progress.
tuesday night came and the girls
mad assembled early and We're await
ing Barbara a%nxiously.
HAS anyone seen Barbara since our
last meeting?' asked the president.
There came a chorus of noes.
The discussion drifted to a new fam
lily that had moved to Genville a few
days ago. Fifteen minutes had elapsed.
put no Barbarn-then there came a
long peal from the doorbell.
There she is now" they all cried, as
Ruth fastened to open the door.
Babs entered looking very charming,
and, smiling prettily, she said: "Well.
girls, l have won without trying, and
now may l be a member Of your select
club?"
First give us evidence of your d,1ali-
fcations," demanded Vera, growing
uneasy.
Eyes, produce evidence" cried the
others.
VERY WELL" replied Babs, in a mat
ter-of-fact tone of voice. "My work
this month has not been in vain" she
began, 81 not only made myself eligible
to the club, but I helped increase the
ranks of Uncle Sam by three. Evil
dence?' and here she opened the door
and admitted two khaki-clad and II
sailor-clad boy.
The girls gasped in surprise, as they
beheld Art Gordon and Bill Stratam in
Khaki and Ted Barlowe in a natty blue
sailor suit.
Here's is my evidence" Babs con-
tlnued, taking note of the surprised
looks on the girls faces.
When Vera had regained her COM
posure she said somewhat nervously:
But which is your sweetheart? They
can't all be-"
But we'd like to-" piped the boys
cheerily.
None of then," and Babs laughed
michievously.
"None of them! echoed the girls.
"Then I fail to see where you have
qualified" Vera said hastily.
"But, Miss President" don't iump at
conclusions" Barbara responded. II
haven't finished yet. Here is my sweet
heart, and here is proof that he is my
sweetheart" and she held up her left
hand, displaying a dazzling solitaire.
At the same time a stalwart young
man, dressed in khaki, made his ap-
pedluIlCc, SlullluS.
ALLOW me to introduce Sergt. AL
bert Phillips, a new resident of the
town of Genville," said Babbs. "Ser-
geant Phillips and I have been good
friends for a long time. 1 met him
through my brother when he was at
camp" in answer to their questioning
g%lances. Being home on furlough be-
cause of injuries sustained in action,
he paid me a surprise visit. Ted, Bill
and Art having listened to my preach.
ing for q month or more, enlisted for
Uncle Sam and elected me as their
godmother. Now have I qualified?"
The girls cast envious glances to-
ward Babs and her young army. After
a brief silence Vera said: "We GER
tainly take off our hats to you, Bar
bara. You have overqualified. We ad-
NIT you for a full-ledged member"
Barbara smiled upon her army,
which stood erect behind her and said:
swell, boys, l have come out v%ictori-
ous just like you boys are going TO do
some day." and turning to her club
sisters she said: swell! leave Genrille
tomorrow. The bows for their diffe.ent