Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1919-12-06
BABS.
BY JACK LAYTON.

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Copyright. 1919. Western Newspaper Union,
John Pendleton paused at the sight
of a small figure in the nook which he
had selected for his Fishing" corner.
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 frOwned,
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 q low branch Of
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,
a 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
a 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
a shy farewell nod, he tried Intellectual
ly to think of some ruse to detain her.
But the next morning, the sun CLINT
ing down on her brown little face and
faded Bingham dress, he came upon
her in the same spot. She was not
h,,t
to which she returned after a 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 a 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 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 impregnable
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-
meath 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 dignity almost hostile
about the small creature, which per-
picked and discouraged her eager low
er. ~BabS was so difficA1t to under-
stand; each day her mystery grew.
"Why do you knot your hair so tight
ly?" he asked her. zone can scarcely
find the shade of its brown"
"What difference" she retorted
pointedly, docs that make to your"
job" Pendleton held his breath
II love you Babs," he said at last
tensely.
Babs laughed, showed again her
white teeth.
Love me?" she Knocked, with my
funny red nose, and my old cotton
dress and my shoes,-have you noticed
my shabby shoes"
Off guard her wonder eyes searched
his.
Have you noticed all my plainness,
Mr.. John Pendleton, and still do you
think that you love me?"
"Think !" cried John. Fiercely he
caught the little figure in his arms.
81 know that 1 love you-forever,"
he said.
When she had hastily freed herself,
the perpleXing girl regarded him with
eyes that were widely astonished
81 don't understand it," she MUIR
INJURED, helplessly. you are sure,
quite sure" she insisted, you would
love me always-just like this?"
Mutely, adorngly, John nodded.
Then l will tell you something"
Babs said. She put forth a placating
hand.
81 have been experimenting, John
Pendleton, eXperimenting,-in love. AT
home before l came here, and every
where that l went, men made love to
me. They praised my hair which is
wavy, my skin which is fair and the
pretty frocks l love to wear l des-
pissed it all. When l came here, l had
to learn whether there might be any
admirable quality about my real self,
which would hold mans love if the SUI
perficial things failed. Beauty does
not always last, you know, neither can
one always be charming. So I decided
to experiment upon you. Your CON
quest would be my assurance of lasting
love. 1t was rather hard to sunburn
my nose" Babs added, "but it helped
N the general effect"
Angrily John Pendleton sprang to his
feet.
81 hope" he said, that you are sat