The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1929-11-14
The Girl With
the Ukulele

By BRUCE F. RICHARDS

circles OF the town where his firm
had sent him, when he received orders
to hand the Office over to his successors
and to go on himself to Clarkville to-
organize and start branch in that
lively little city.
Billy didn't know a single soul In,
Clarkyille, and while he had no doubt
that he would make friends and BUSH
ness acquaintance in time-that didn't
help him on the first lovely Sunday
afternoon that he found himself at
leisure.
Well, at least he could take his
classy little roadster and drive out
to the lake which offered a delightful
spot nearby for those who wished to
enjoy an afternoon close to nature.
Following a woody road, he drove
slowly on down to the edge Of the
lovely sheet of water which glimmered
through the trees. The end Of the
trail found him on a little bluff pleas
antly sheltered, although there were
camps up and down the shore, and
happy children playing and wading
on the sandy beach.
Billy pulled a magazine out Of the
pocket on the door, but before he had
opened it his ears caught quantity
melodous sound and craning his neck,
he saw an extremely pretty girl swing
ing along the pathway, as though she
were the only person anywhere around.
Cba foi hn; -
bright auburn tints Billy particularly
admired. Her features were regular
and her form shapely. There was no
doubt about this, for she was wearing
a green bathing suit. Over that was
cOlorful cretonne coat which flOated
wide open in the breeze. Her little feet
were covered with low, white canvas
shoes, and her stockings rolled down
to the top of them.
She was stunning a ukulele, occa-
sionaIly breaking into a low snatch
of song as she approached. Billy
might have been a thousand miles
away for all the notice she took of
him, but in spite of that his heart
was going pit-a-pat, rub-a-dub, and he
was wondering who She was and how
he could make her acquaintance.
By this time she had passed his
parking place, and he noticed that
under her arm was tucked a large
towel.
The watcher in the car followed
the girl with the ukulele with his eyes,
noticing that she went into a cottage
just beyond. He decided to await
developments. Presently two girls
came forth from the cottage all ready
for a plunge into the lake Billy Won
dered how he could introduce himself
and make a favorable impression.
Billy Green's philosophy in life was
that if you want to do anything, the
course to pursue is to stop, make a
plan, and then put that plan into ac-
ton. That was just what he did now,
He made up his mind to wait until
the girls came back from their SWIM
and then while they were inside of the
cottage, to 90 over, rap at the door
and ask to borrow a pail in which he
could carry water from the lake to his
radiator. He knew this was a shame
less subterfuge as he had filled the
radiator that very morning, hut he
wanted to meet the Girl with the
ukuIele.
The girls stayed in the water long
time. Billy kept track of the green
clad figure as it swan about grace
fully, or dived from the raft,
At last he saw the girls come up
from the beach and run dripping to
the cottage. Discretion caused him to
wait few moments.
Before long he heard the strum Of
the ukulele and reasoned that his
lovely mermaid was ready for callers.
He hOped-yes, he prayed, that she
But she wasn't for when that door
opened he found a motherly looking,
white-haired woman cycling him in
quiringly,
Although Billy always carried his
courage right with him, he found
himself stammering and apologizing
profusely for his intrusion.
I'm a stranger around here" he eX-
planned 80 l don't know where the!
nearest service station is. have just,
come to Clarkvile and this is my first
visit to your lovely lake"
He handed her a neat business card
which raod "NVilIiam # Green Sunpr-
intendent Big Chief Oil company"
The lady looked up quickly.
"You don't happen tc be Billy Green
from Stoneham, do you?' she inquired
eagerly.
"The very same" laughed Billy, "but
you have the advantage of me-"
"Of course" she responded. "The
secretary of the Big Chief Oil COM
pany happens to be a brother of mine,
and knowing that | was summering
here, he wrote and asked me to invite
you out to the cottage. as you would
doubtless be lonely in Clarkville. He
thought you might like to meet my
daughter Barbara and her friends.
Sally Eldred is here with her ukulele.
She and Barbara have Just been for
a swim. Do come in and meet them,
as l assure You any friend of my
brothers is always welcome
Two minutes later Billy found him
self being formally introduced to Bar
bara Matthews and Sally Eldred.
Sally still had the ukulele under her