Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1920-12-02
BAB'S DUPLICITY
BY AGNES G. sRoeAN.
55ggSSggSSgSgSSgg SgSgS SeesseSSssSSSSSSee
"a 1870. western Newspaper Unioal

ard the summer scene was one or
beauty and calm. But there was no
calm in Tom Webster's heart, Tor
since that desolated member had set
tied down into one steady ache OF
longing, ealmness gave place to sor-
row and anger by turn. When Tom
reached the zenith of his hope in win
ming the hand and heart Of the girl
he loved he had reasonably expected
the assured joy of betrothal. But
"Babs" was not that kind of girl. In
fact there was nothing assured about
Babs.
The hour that raised Tom to
heaven of delight was certain to be
followed by several hours of uncer-
tainty and gloom. Babs did not in
tend to be unkind; frankly she de-
clared that she did not understand her
self. "Tm just the original Mary
Mary quite contrary" she told her
lover repentantly.
Babs was always breaking engage
ments and atoning charmingly AFTER
ward. The months of Toms betrothal
left him quite dizzy. He never knew
exactly what Babs would do next, or
how she would welcome him, or, IN
deed, If she would give him welcome
at all. So at last, the engagement
was broken. This tragedy occurred
after overstrained nerves had driven
Tommy to reprove his love concerning
her shortcomings. and the "love"
would not be reproved. That was all.
Barbara absented herself from the
usual haunts as though she had dis
appeared from the world. Tommy was
onsolable-Tommy was desperate.
His pleading notes met with no re-
Spouse.
If he could go far away where every
spot would not be eloquent of her pres
ence, poignant with sweet memories
past-but the darned old business held
him. In his last erratic effusion he had
besought Barbara, If she had the
slightest remaining feeling for himself
to send some sign-to let him come 10
her-and the heartless one made no
reply.
Tommy went back through the
shadows of the public park to his car
and swung it savagely from its corner.
The homeward trip was light ana
speedy, then-ye gods from the rear
of the machine came a startled cry.
Tom turned in his seat and stared. A
child sat on the back seat blinking at
him, golden-curIed fairy-sort OF
child.
"Where," she demanded, sis my
daddy%
Gosh |" Tommy exclaimed, he shut
off the engine, show did you get In
back there?"
The little girl whimpered:
~ s'eep," she explained, "a seep on
back seat. want my daddy"
Tenderly Tom lifted the volunteer
passenger to a place beside him. She
had climbed in, he decided, while the
car was parked under the trees. Prob
ably she had taken his for her daddy's
car and then had fallen asleep on the
cushions. But now he was in a fix!
Tommy was a diplomat. "I'm going |
to stop here and buy you lollipop."
he told the child, "then I'll take you
to daddy; wait"
Contentedly Helen-Jean, as she pro-
claimed herself, waited.
Tommy was just in time. His an
nouncement to the park pavilion
brought immediate response. Anxiety |
had been felt regarding the little girls
Would he be kind |
enough to bring her back at once to
the pavilion-or-this after a hurried
conference-would it be convenient
for him to drive Helen-Jean to AZ
Rose terrace? That was her home.
Tommy decided to take his charge d.
rectly home.
When Tommy carried the little girl
I'D the flower-bordered path to her |
home her arms clasped his neck and
her golden curls rested against his own
dark pate. The housemaid who an
swered Tommie's ring directed him to
a rear garden; surely, the friends of
the lost one were not uRduly alarmed.
But there on the rear rose terrace he
saw slim Whitehead figure, girls
figure so gracefully like to another,
that Tommie's loving heart hammered
painfully; then the figure was coming
toward him and no one else was near.
'Babsl |" he whispered unbellevingly.
A demure and humbled Babs reached
her arms to the child.
"Helen-Jean, darlingi" she coaxed,
come to Aunt Barbara"
But Helen-Jean, darling, evidently
her aunt's perverseness.
"Won't," she briefly but emphatical-
" remarked.
"Tm afraid" Babs insisted, "that
you will have to-"
Then In some joyously bewildering
fashion Barbara's arms, covering Hell
,n-Jean's chubby ones, encircled Tom
mics neck, while with unbelievable
-apidity his own arms closed about the
slim figure as well as the chubby one.
"You see," Babs was saying, tiny
brother and his wife moved here from
New York only last week. Helen-Jean
IS my niece. We have had day alone
and ate our lunch In the park to-