The Meeker herald., 1920-05-22
BABs.
sy JACK LAwroN.

OF small figure In the nook which he
MAD selected for his ''fshIng" corner.
Former success In the waters beneath
'his tree had caused him to hasten his
steps In anticipation. But here was
me girl before him.. John frowned,
then at her startled glance he smiled.
She taA was evidently aware Of the
lucky dAhing spot, and disturbed by
The appearance Of an interloper.
NNAs she sat out on low branch Of
tffe, she was almost in line with his
nead. Sflsatit. hs regarded her puck
fered earnest brows. her little sun.
burned nose. An odd creature this,
4 cross. he told himself. between Mrs.
Wigs. 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
RoOd-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
~ to think Of some ruse to detaln 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
fishing this time. hut reading hook,
to which she returned after stifr bow
Of greeting.
An unusual desire possessed him to
converse with this quaint c0ntrndIc-
tion Of q girl.-Pendleto 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
II was some time before Johns enter
taIning efforts succeeded In winning
from the blue eyes another direct
glance. but he felt himself rewarded.
And 10 inscrutible are the ways Of
Cupid. that John Pendleton. sought
after. and heretofore impregnahle
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 he
meath the tree.
"Rabs."" 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 10 difficult to under
stand; each day her mystery grew.
"Why do you knot your hair 10 tight
lyf" he nsked her. zone can scarcely
ind the shnde Of Its brown"
"what difference" she retorted
poInfedly. "does that make to YOUR
John Pendleton held his breath.
II. love you Babs," he said Mt last
tenrely.
Rabs laughed. showed again her
white teeth.
Love me?" she Knocked. with my
funny red nose. and my old c,tton
dress and my sliOcs.-havc you noticed
my shabby shocs?"
on guard her wonder eyes searched
hIa.
"Have you noticed all my pininncss.
Mr.. John fendieton. and sti'l do you
think that you love meT'
Think !" cried John. Fiercely he
caught the little figure In his arms.
n know that love you--forever."
he mild.
When she had hastily freed herself.
the perplexing girl regarded him with
eyes TINT were widely astonished.
~ don't understand IT," she muir
INJURED. helpieasly. "You are sure.
quite sure" she insisted. "you would
love ME xlways--juxt like thfs?"
Mntply. adorinEiy. John nodded.
Then will tell you somethlnR."
Raha said. She put forth a .pIacating
hand.
II have been experimenting. John
Pendleton. experimenting.-ln love. At
home before came here. and every.
where that went. men made love to
me. They praised my hair which Is
wavy. my skin which Is fair and the
pretty frocks ! love to wear. dos
pI<eti II all. When 7 came here. had
to learn whether there might he amy
admirable quality about my renl self.
which would hold mans love n the sr-
perficial things failed. Beauty does
not always last. You know. neither can
one always he charming. So decided
Z" experiment upon you. Your con-
quest would he my assurance of lasting
1--we. II was rather hard TO s,inburn
my nose" Babs added. hut II helped
In the general effect"
Angriiy John Pendieton sprnng to his
ktset.
=! hope" he said. "thnt you are sat
,saed with the success Of your expcr-
fluent. Being able to hold my love.
IS you supposed under difficult cOndi.
49, 1,.,a h IL