The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-09-19
QUALIFYING
BY KATHLEEN M. MOORE,


the plans and applied for membership
on the ground that she had two broth.
ers and four cousins in the service-all
volunteers.
But YOU must have q sweetheart in
order to qualify" Informed Vera. 1--WE
are sorry, but you can't Join"
on very well, miss" she replied
tartly. III qualify before another
month is up or my name isn't Barbara
Helena Willows"
"And to think Babs will find Sam.
my sweetheart in Genville before q
MONTH" laughed Ruth, another of the
members.
Girls called Vera, "we'll 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 our
club; if not, she cane 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. tne
dude Of the town.
The club met for It's regular weekly
meeting, and since Babs had another
week in which to ttlalify, the whole
evening was spent in discussing her
progress.
Tuesday night came and the girls
had assembled early and were await.
ing Barbara anxiOusly.
HAS anyone seen Barbara since orr
last meeting?' asked the president.
There came chorus of noes.
The discussion drifted to a new fam.
lily that had moved to Genville a few
days ago. Fifteen minutes had elapsed.
but no Barbara-then there came a
long peal from the doorbelI.
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 be a member of your select
club?"
First give us evidence of your quail
fications," demanded Vera, growing
uneasy.
Yes, 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 / helped increase the
ranks of Uncle Sam by three. Evil
dence" and here she opened the door
and admitted two khaki-clad and one
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-
tinued. taking note of the surprised
looks on the girls fl ces.
When Vera had regained her com
posure she said somewhat neryouSly:
But which is your sweetheart? They
can't all be-"
But we'd Ike to-" piped the boys
cheerily.
'None of Them" and Babs laughed
michievously.
"None of them! echoed the girls.
Then | fail to see where you have
qualified Vera said hastily.
But, Miss President" don't Jump at
conclusions" Barbara responded. 81
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
man, dressed in khaki, made his ap-
pearance, smiling.
ALLOW me to introduce Sergt AL
bert Phillips, new resident of the
town of Genville," said Babbs. "Ser-
geant Phillips and / have been good
friends for long time. l met him
through my brother when he was at
camp" in answer to their questioning
glances. 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 a month or more, enlisted for
Uncle Sam and elected me as their
godmother. Now have l qualified?"
The girls east envious glances to-
ward Babs and her young army. After
a brief silence Vera said: eve GER
tainly take Of our hats to y-I, Bar
bara. You have Ovepqualified. We ad-
nit you for full-fedged member"
Barbara smiled upon her army,
which stood erect behind her and said:
"Well, boys, l have come out victori-
Gus, just like you boys are going to do
some day" and turning to her club
sisters she said: "Well leave Genville
tomorrow. The boys for their different
stations and l for a farm where l am
engaged to work all summer"
The girls expressed their regret at
this news, but congratulated Barbara
on her patriotic spirit.
II move we enroll BlbS as an hon
orary member of the S. S. S. club"
spoke up Ruth.
The motion was carried unanimously,
and patriotic Barbara and her four
friends received a hearty send-off by
h, -, oc 10