The Press., 1920-01-15
The Hop Scotch" Girl
 GAD Rv GENEVIEVE LUNAR

It was a pleasant, llNely scene al'u carried Nevil Broolles back to his early youth. Seated in a comfortable loung- ing chair on the porch, he had fuil view of half 3 dozen little girls el- gagged in tke old-fashioned game ~f "hop scotch.'
 Upon the smooth cement pavement the group had drawn in chalk the con ventional body of the subdivided dia- gram, rounding it with 'the moon,' to attain which, by hopping on one foot and speeding a flat pebble without rest ing on a 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.
 Broolies leaned over toward the street to make out girl of about seV- enteen. eNquisitely 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 rippling smile irradiated her lips and she welcomed the juvenile onslaught with carcssing llindliness.
 The delcctable Marty's loving and accommodating nature showed fully as she took her position at "goal, set the pehl,Ir given her, and proceeded to demonstrate her capabiIity as a hop scotch expert. Brooles watched her with profound admiration.
 Just then an Overdressed. slHtternly woman appeared, a great, hNlk}ng young man at her side. She dArted forward as she made out the girl.
 "What's ths?" she shouted at Marty. "Nice actions for a woman grown, and promisedH'
 "promScd?" cried the girl scorn- fully. "Who to-"
 gro him. Dan Reeves" and the wom- an indicated her companion.
 "Who promised me-" challenged Marty.
 q did: and didn't he give you a ring?"
 'You mean he forced it on me, ,' fared up the girl "There is his cheap gift [" and tearing taWdry clrclet from her finger she flung it to th" pave ment. gave it a blow with her tee. and added: If he ever tries to kiss me again I'll kill him, and if you lay vour hands on me I'll run away " and like some proud empress, the aroused girl left the spot, her head high i1 the air.
 Nevil Brookes was recovering iron a fit of sickness and had sought reS' 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 Marty Doane." spoke the wOman "POOr girl but good glr1 Her father died, leaving her to the mprcies of a cruel stepmother, who i! anxious to get rid of her care Ant | has tried to favor the suit of tha Reeves fellow. but Marty deSpise him."
 There was a little park that Brooke strOlled in every morning, ana th next day he was attracted by tn sound of low sobbing beyond som shrubbery. He went over to the spot Upon a bench, bundle at her fee and weeping bitterly, was the hol scotch girl.
 "Are you in trouble, missy spok BrOOkes gently. ''I have seen you b. fore, and we live in the same neigh | bOrhOOd.'
 Marty read sympathy and interes ill the clear, open face. q am goln away from my stepmOther and tn man she is trying to make me marry, she said "and 1 shall never com Wickham?"
 "Why do you ask that?" inquire Nevil
 "Because the only friend l have the world lives there. She was Ne lie Poster, and she married Ned Wi ton three years ago, and they settle down at Wickham. A year ago Nelli wrote me that they had darling litt baby, and love children, and I knO that Nellie would give me home."
 A sudden impulse urged the tende hearted Reeves to assist this homele< waif. His own life was lonely ar her distress moved him to pity.
 "If you will trust me, I will see yc safely to Wickham," he said.
 "Oh. sir, will you?' cried Marty ra turously. T am sure Nellie will p; you back for the fare"
 "Never mind that" said Reeves al her childish delight looking from u car window and hopeful eagerne when they reached Wicllham revealt the untutOred soul of the truStful gil
 They reached the former home the Wiltons to find sign "for ren on the neat little cottage, and neg Dor informed them that the family h. moved to farm somewhere O West"
 Marty dropped to step, pictu of fOrlOrn despair. "Oh," she sobbe "vhat a life it would have been have my old friends. and the baby. al this beautiful garden It would like being in heaven! And now 1 a worse off than eve"!" and she bro down utterly.
 Look up in my face, Marty" spo Reeves seriously. II am as much alo , in the world as you are, but I thi1 experience a mutual trustfulness. Y crave a home of comfort and hap ness. Will you share it with me,
 my wife. right here and nOW?'
 And Nevil BrOokes, with a gratcf loving life partner smiling and sirgi all day long in their little paradise a house. never regretted that he h welded the hop scotch girl"
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