The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1920-05-08
BABS.
sy JACK LAYTON.

of small figure In the nook which he
had selected for his Fishing" corner.
Former success In the waters beneath
this tree Ind caused him to hasten his
steps In anticipation. But here was
the girl before him. John frowned.
then ut her startled glance he smiled.
She too. was evidently aware OF tho
lucky fishing spot. and disturbed by
the appearance Of an interl0per.
As she sat out on low branch Of q
tree. she was almost In line with his
head. Silently. he regarded her puck
cred enrnest brows. her little sun
burned nose. An odd creature this.
n cross. he told himself. between Mrs.
Wigs. ind Sis Hopkins. The Sis Hop
klns resemblance occurred tn him
when the girl smiled. The smile WAS
an apology for her own Intrusion. md
a gootl-nature'l hint that she intended
to remain there.
Surprisingly. to himself. the odd per-
sonalIty drew and plqued his interest.
When the girl later slipped away with
Fly farewell nod. he tried Intellectual
~ to think Of some ruse tn detaIn her.
But the next morning. the sun CLINT
Ing down ON her brown little face md
faded glngham dress, he came upon
her In the same spot. She WAS not
fishing this time. hut reading book,
to which she returned after stiR low
Of greeting.
An unusual desire possessed him to
converse with this quaint contrnsiic-
tlOn Of girl.--PcndletOn In self de-
tense avoided the charming feminine.
Surely this knobby haired young per
son was not designing charmer TO he
fought against.
"Beautifnl morning." he began.
The girl agreed with lowered eyes.
II was ssme time before Johns enter
tanning efforts succeeded In winning
from the blue eyes another direct
glance. hut he felt himself rewarded,
And SO inscrutlbie are the ways Of
Cupid. that John Pendleton. sought
after. and heretofore imprcgnnble
male fell Into the deepest depths Of
love In that one wlstfMl gaze.
Every morning thereafter found him
at the girls side In the fishing nook Ike.
meath the tree.
"Bnhs." was her name she told him,
and she WAS stopping at. the white
house down the road. She had heard
Of the hooks John wrote and the big
car TINT he drove Into town. and she
was very glad To know him. More than
that. he could not coax from her.
Plain md humble as her appearance,
there was q dignity almost hostile
about the small creature, which per.
picked and discouraged her eaeer low
er. Babs was SO difficult to under
stand: each day her mystery grew.
"Wl,y do YOU knot your hair no tight
ly?" he nsked her. Zone can scarcely
And the shade Of Its brown"
"What difference" she retOrted
I,ointe'lly, docs that make to youT
John Pendleton held his breath.
II love you Bnbs." he said at last
tenscly.
Rnhs laughed, showed again her
white teeth.
Love me?" she Knocked, "wltl, my
funny red nose, and my old cotton
dress and my shoes,-have you noticed
my shabby shocs?"
on guard her wonder eyes searched
| his.
"lInve you noticed all my plninncss,
Mr.. John Pendleton. and still do you
think that You love me7"
Think" cried John. Ffercrly he
canght the little figure In his nrins.
II know that love you---forcver,"
he saiId.
When she lind hastily freed herself,
tho perplexing girl regarded him with
eyes TINT we're widely astonished.
~ dent understand IT," she MUIR.
INJURED. helplessly. "you are sure,
quite SIRE" she insisted. "you would
love me- nlways--iust like thIs?"
Tntely, sdorinRly. John nodded.
Then I will tell. You something"
Rails snid. She put forth n pIacating
hnnti
II hive been experimenting, John
lrndlcton. experimenting lin love. At
home before ] cnme here. and every.
sl,rre TINT I went. men made lave to
me. rhey praised my hnIr which Is
wavy. my skin which is fair and the
pretty frocks love to wear. l ,ics.
pissed It MI. When came here. Ind
to learn whether there might he any
admirable quality about my real self.
which would hold mans love II The sr-
periicIal things failed. Beauty docs
not always last. you know, neither eau
me always he charming. So I decided
to experiment upon yon. Your con.
quest would he my assurance Of lnstlng
love. II was rather hard to sunbmrn
my nose" Babs added. "but II helped
In the general effect
AngrIly John Pendleton sprang to his
feet.
II hope" he said. "that you are sat
lsiied with the success Of your expcr-
iincnt. Being able to hold my love
us YOU supposed under difficult cOntIj.