New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-01-16
Dy/ZO2INLE H1NEZ2O OV<N


above the oak-covered hillside,
sent long slanting finger Of light
across the garden to touch a GER
tain tangled heap Of curls into liv-
ing flame. Babs woke and surveyed
the jeweled world outside her Sleep
ing porch; then, without turning,
she put out her hand, encountered
only space and remembered.
Across the porch June-Babys
round black eyes and thatch of hair
appeared and, blowing her kiss,
Babs tossed well aimed pillow at
the mound Of blanket beyond. The
mound stirred suddenly and head
that matched her own sprang into
view. It was James Junior, three
years old and known, since regret
table incident in the pantry, as "Jim-
Jams" The same fertile brain hav-
ing named June-Baby "the Spank
ling" they were even in the matter
Of nomenclature.
From her bed Babs regarded them
with puzzled blue eyes. Babs was
a Martin-the mad Martins" the
neighbors called them. And, had they
known it, she was never so near
what they termed madness as when
she regarded her two offspring. That
they should be hers, these two alb
surd bits Of rosy humanity-it was
past belief! Things happened SO
suddenly in this world. Five years
ago there had been only herself. And
now there were four of them, bound
together somehow in this helter-
SHELTER life: James Senior, jim
Jams and the Spanking. At the
thought she crinkled her nose and
threw another pillow at the pair.
"'Ere Daddy?" inquired June
Baby.
CAN gone," explained Babs, as
she fished for her slippers under
the bed. "Gone three days-back
tomorrow. Thanks, Jimsyl" as he
appeared from under the couch with
one Of her shoes. In common with
all of her things they had a per-
verse habit of disappearing.
"Hold on to the Spanking while
/ get my BATH" she called over
her shoulder, and left them to their
own devices. Twenty minutes later
she reappeared, her hair a trifle
damp and curling in closer ringlets,
her cheeks pink with the chill of
cold water, and her throat rising,
clear white, from the neck Of a gay
little scarlet gown. Her bare san
daled feet she regarded bit rue
fully, and shook reproving finger
at James Junior.
eff you hadn't made me build that
fort yesterday we'd have had some
stockings to put on!" she said. ~
was going to darn some; but I'll
do 'em this morning."
"Picnicw said James Junior sud
denly. "You promised a picnic!"
The Spanking took it up.
"Picnic" she insisted. "Picnic!"
Babs hesitated, glanced out at the
green and gold garden, and sue
cumbed.
"All right" she said. "They can
wait, and We'll have a tree picnic"
Descending upon the Spanking,
she shook her into her clothes, which
consisted mainly Of a remarkable
garment of orange crepe. 1t was
Bab's own invention, and she was
immensely proud Of the fact. 1t
was like nothing so much as bag
with holes cut in the corners for
the arms and legs, and it drew UP
around the neck with draw-string.
Babs had an infinite number of
them, in orange, red and turquoise
blue.
Il can always spot her by the color
when she's in the garden" she had
explained to Mortified neighbor:
land I don't have to iron 'em. lust
rub 'em out, you know. And them
catching sight of the woman's face
eff I don't want her under foot. ]
can always hang her up by the
draw-string." No wonder they were
called the mad Martins!
Hersplump body incased in it's gay
sheathings, the Spanking looked not
unlike Christmas pudding with
black currants for eyes. Her mothe,
regarded her cheerfully and went
about exchanging James Juniors
white teddy bears for a scarlet bath
ing suit.
Zone button and you're done!"
remarked Babs as she picked them
up ore under each arm and whirled
them kitchenward.
IS A ND griddle cakes for break