The Press., 1919-12-25
BABS. By JACK LAWTON.

Former success in the waters beneath this tree had caused him to hasten his steps in anticipation. But here was the girl before him. John drowned, then at her startled glance he smiled. She too, was evidently aware of the lucky fishing spot, and disturbed by the appearance of an interloper.
 As she sat out on a low branch of a tree, she was almost in line with his head. Silently, he regarded her puck cred earnest brows, her little sun burned nose. An odd creature this, cross, he told himself, between Mrs. Wiggs, and Sis Hopkins. The Sis Hop kins resemblance occurred to him when the girl smiled. The smile was an apology for her own intrusion and good-natured hint that she intended to remain there.
 Surprisingly, to himself, the odd per sonality drew and piqued his interest. When the girl later slipped away with shy farewell nod, he tried intellectual ly to think of some ruSe to detain her. But the next morning, the sun gljnt- ing down on her brown little face and faded gingham dress he came upon her in the same spot. She was not fishing this time, but reading a book, to which she returned after a stiff bow of greeting.
 An unusual desire possessed him to converse with this quaint contradic- tiOn of a grl,-PpndletOn in self de- fenSe avoided the charming feminine. Surely this knObby haired young per son was not designing charmer to be fought against
 "Beautiful morning." he began.
 The girl agreed with lowered eyes. It was some time before Johns enter taining efforts succeeded in winning from the blue eyes another direct glance, but he felt himself rewarded. And so inscrutible are the ways of Cupid, that John Pendleton, sought after, and heretofore impresnable male, fell into the deepest depths of love in that one wiStful gaze.
 Every morning thereafter found him at the girls side in the fishing nook be- heath the tree.
 "Babs,' was her name she told him, and she was stopping at the white house down the road. She had heard of the books John wrote and the big car that he drove into town, and she was very glad to know him. More than that, he could not coax from her.
 Plain and humble as her appearance, there was a dignity almost hostile about the small creature, which per pleXed and discouraged her eager lov- CT. Babs was so difficult to under stand; each day her mystery grew.
 "Why do you knot your hair 80 tight ly?" he asked her. "One can scarcely find the shade of it's brown"
 "What difference" she retorted pOintedly, 'does that make to you?
 John Pendleton held his breath.
 q love you Babs," he said at last tenSely.
 Babs laughed, showed again hel white teeth.
 'Love me?" she mOcked, "with my funny red nose, and my old cotton dress and my Shnes,-have you noticed my shabby shOes?"
 Off guard her wonder eyes searched his.
 Have you noticed all my plainness MT. John Pendlet0n, and still do you think that you love me?'
 ''ThinK, " cried John. Ficrcely he caught the little figure in his arms.
 q know that I love you-forever ; he said.
 When she had hastily freed herself the perpleXing girl regarded him with eyes that were widely astonished.
 q don't understand it, she mur- mured, helplessly. "You are sure quite sure," she insisted. you would love me alWays-just like this?"
 Mutely, adOringly, John nodded.
 "Then I will tell you something,' Babs said. She put forth a placatine hand.
 "l have been experimenting, John Pendleton. experimenting,-in love. Al home before 1 came here, and every where that l went, men made love tC me. They praised my hair which is Wavy, my skin which is fair and the pretty frocks l love to wear. I des, pissed ii all. When I came here, I haC to learn whether there might be any admirable quality about my real self which would hold mans love if the su perticia things failed. Beauty does not always last, you know, neither cal one always be charming. So I decided to experiment upon you. Your con quest would be my assurance of lasting love. It was rather hard to sunburr my noSe,' Babs added, "but 1t helped in the general effect"
 Angrily John Pendleton sprang to his feet.
 Il hope" he said, that you are sat iStied with the success of your exper. imcnt. Being able to hold my love as you supposed under difficult condi tions, rest assured that you will be able also to hold this mans love that you covet. I wish you-happiness."
 ''What's the use of wishing for me the happiness which only you can give John" Bubs said.
 Iou lI1Cdll, I1S Dt2dI uuDbllpN1DS- ly.
 q mean," Babs replied, "that you are the man I love. The experiment was general"
 It was sometime afterWard that John Pendleton said 'I don't think that l want you any different Babs'
 "You Will," that person said serene ly, "you'H be pleased to introduce the real Barbara Dean to your friends" Another War.
 'What's the charge against this man?" asked the judge.
 "Fighting in the public streets" re- piled the officer.
 "N0u're fined nine dollars and nine- ty cents."
 ''What's the ninety cents for, judge?n asked the man at the bar