The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1919-12-26
BABs. ..::.s
ey JACK LAYTON.

! had selected for his fishing" corne
D Former success In the waters beneat
d this tree had caused him to hasten hi
3 steps In anticipation. But here wa
+, the girl before him. John frownet
!, then at her startled glance he smiled
She too. was evidently aware of tn
q lucky fishing spot, and disturbed b
/ the appearance of an interloper.
, AS she sat out on low branch Of
tree she was almost In line with hi
head. Silently, he regarded her puck
! cred earnest ,brows, her little sun
. burned nose. An odd creature this
Z cross, he told himself. between Mrs
! Wigs, and Sis Hopkins. The Sis Hop
: kins. resemblance occurred to hin
when the girl smiled The smile wa.
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
~ to think of some ruse to detain her.
But the next morning. the sun CLINT
Ing down on her brown little face and
faded gingham dress, he came upon
her In the same spot. She was not
nshing this time, but reading a book,
to which she returned after stiff bow
of greeting.
An unusual desire possessed him to
converse with this quaint contradic-
ton of girl,-Pendleton in self de-
tense 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.
1t was some time before Johns enter
tanning efforts succeeded I'm 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 impregnable
male, fell into the deepest depths of
love In that one wlstful gaze.
Every morning thereafter found him
Mt the girls side I'm the fishing nook be-
meath the tree.
"Babs," was her name she told him.
ana she was stopping at the white
house down the road. She had heard
OF the books John wrote and the bix
ear that he drove into town, and she
was very glad to know him. More than
that, ne could not coax from her.
Plain and humble as her appearance.
there was a dignity almost hostile
about the small creature, which per
pfexed and discouraged her eager low
er. Babs was so difficult to under
stand; each day her mystery grew.
why do you knot your hair so tight
lyT' ne asked her. lone can scarcely
md the shade Of its brown"
What difference" she retorted
pointedly does that make to your?
John Pendreton held his breath.
Il love you Bsbs," he said at last
tenseiy.
Babs laughed, showed again her
white teeth.
Love mel" she Knocked, with INV
funny red nose, and my old cotton
dress and my shoes,-have you noticed
my shabby shoesT
or guard her wonder eyes searched
his.
Have you noticed all my plainness II
Mr. John Pendieton. and still do you
think that you love me?"
Think" cried John. Fiercely no
caught the little figure in his arms.
II know that 7 love you--forever,"
he said.
When she had hastily freed herself.
the perplexing gfrf regarded him with
eyes that were widely astonished.
Il don't understand It," she muir.
INJURED. helplessly. You are sure.
quite sure" she insisted, you would |
Owe me always-Just Hike this?"
Mutely. adoringfy, John nodded.
Then l win tell y0u something"
Babs said. She pst forth a placating ,
hand. ,
Il have been experimenting, John
Pendleton. experimenting,-in love. At ]
ZONE before ! came here. and every {
where that ! went, men made love to I
ne. They praised my hair which Is
yavy, my SKIN which is fair and the 4
'retty froeRs i love to wear. des- /
,ised 1t all. When I came here, I had !
o learn whether there might be any :
quality about my real self, !
which would hold mans love II the su. | q
'erficiaf things failed. Beauty does
lot always last, you know. neither can ! \
me always BE- charming. So decided | :
0 experiment upon you. Your con | :
uest would be my assurance Of lasting q
ove II was rather hard to sunburn Z
ny nose" Babs added, but II helped {
D the general effect"
Angrily John Pendleton sprang to his g
eet.
Il hope" he said, stint you are sat.
med with the success of your exper-
nent Being able to hold my love,
9 you supposed under dificult condi-
ons, rest assured that you will be able
lso to hold this mans love that you n
ovet I wish you-happiness.v -
whats the use Of wishing for me
10 happiness which only you can give.
,Hvs1 ~. ~ ~~tA ~ i