The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1920-01-22
The Hop
Scotch" Girl
(A<D
Copyright. 1919. by the Western News
paper Union-)
BY GENEvIEVE ULMAR

Ing chair on the porch, he had a full
view of half a dozen little girls en-
gagged In the old-fashioned game Of
hop scotch"
Upon the smooth cement pavement
the group had drawn In chalk the con-
ventional body of the subdivided dia-
gram, rounding II with 1.-The MOON" to
attain which, by hopping on one foot
and speeding fiat pebble without rest
Ing on line was to score victory.
Suddenly the play suspended
"Oh, there's Marty Doane-she will
show us how to flip into the moon ="
arose in a tumultuouS shout.
BrOokeS leaned over toward the
street TO make out girl of about sew
enteen, eXquisitely dainty in form and
feature with a wealth of sunny golden
hair like an aureOle, and 1.-the and
graceful in all her movements. A
ripping smile irradiated her lips and
she welcomed the juvenile onslaught
with careSsing kindness.
The delectable Martyrs loving and
she took her position at goal" set
the pebble given her, and proceeded
to demonstrate her capability as hop
scotch expert. Brookes watched her
with profound admiration.
Just then an overdressed, slatternly
woman appeared, a great. hulking
young man at her side. She darted
forward as she made out the girl.
whats thisr' she shouted at
Marty. mice actions for woman
grown, and promised"
"Promised?" cried the girl scorn-
fully. "Who to-"
ITO him. Dan Reeves" and the wom-
an indicated her companion.
"Who promised me?' challenged
Marty.
81 did; and didn't he give you q
ring?"
"You mean he forced II on me-"
flared up the girl. There is his cheap
giftl" and tearing a tawdry circlet
from her finger she flung it to the pave
ment, gave it a blow with her toe. and
added: eff he ever tries to kiss me
again I'll kill him, and If you lay
your hands on me TIL run away" and
like some proud empress. the aroused
girl left the spot, her head high in
the air.
Nevil Brookes was recovering from
a at of sickness and had sought rest
and quiet in the boarding house where
he was passing his convalescence. He
asked his landlady about the girl who
had interested him.
"Oh, you mean Martv Doane," spoke
the woman. poor girl but good girl.
Her father died, leaving her to the
mercies of cruel stepmother. who is
anxious to get rid Of her care and
has tried to favor the suit of that
Reeves fellow, but Marty despises
him."
There was little park that Brookes
strolled in every morning, and the
next day he was attracted by the
sound of low sobbing beyond some
shrubbery. He went over to the spot.
Upon a bench, a bundle at her feet
and weeping bitterly, was the hop
scotch girl.
"Are you in trouble, miss" spoke
Brookes gently. 81 have seen you be-
fore, and We live in the same neigh
borhood."
Marty read sympathy and interest
In the clear, open face. 81 am going
away from my stepmother and the
man she is trying to make me marry"
she said, "and I shall never come
back. Oh, sir, is it very far to
WickhamY
"why do you ask that?" inquired
Nevil.
Because the only friend l have in
the world lives there. She was Nell
lie Foster, and she married Ned VIII
ton three years ago, and they settled
down at Wickham. A year ago Nellie
wrote me that they had darling little
baby, and love children, and l know
that Nellie would give me home"
A sudden impulse urged the tender
ucdTttu NccNcS W uSSiSt tuiS uOiucitSS
waif. His own life was lonely and
her distress moved him to pity.
"If you will trust me, will see you
safely to Wickham," he said.
"Oh, sir, will your" cried Marty rap
turously. Il am sure Nellie will pay
you back for the fare"
"Never mind that" said Reeves, and
her childish delight looking from the
car window and hopeful eagerness
when they reached Wickham revealed
the untutored soul Of the trustful girl.
They reached the former home Of
the Wiltons to find a sign "for rent"
on the neat little cottage. and a neigh
Dor informed them that the family had
moved to a farm somewhere out
West"
Marty dropped to q step. a picture
Of forlorn despair. "Oh," she sobbed.
"what a life 1t would have been to
have my old friends, and the baby. and
this beautiful garden. 1t would be
like being in heaven! And now I am
worse off than ever" and she broke
down utterly.
Look up in my face. Marty" spoke
Reeves seriously. 81 am as much alone
in the world as you are. but 1 think
experience a mutual trustfulness. You
crave q home of comfort and happi-