Evening star., 1933-12-10

to throw them very far, she splashed Stella
Davis who loudly proclaimed her plight. Anna
bel made up her mind that Rosemary would
have last turn at roasting her hot dogs and
bacon.
\A/HEN Rosemary's turn came. however, she
refused it. Leaning against tree, her
lone banana and sandwich long since consumed
she had watched while Annabel and the sister
Violets hero.cally endured smoke in the face
and burnt fingers
Come, Rosemary" called Annabel.
Rosemary hesitated momentarily.
II don't like hot dogs and bacon" she
said shortly.
Very we'll" Annabel was still coolly pleas
ant. We'll divide them among the rest then"
Now for the new names for the club" said
Annabel brightly. "I know you've thought Of
some awfully good ones. Who's going to. be the
first to tell me?"
There was an eager showing of hands. Anna
bel nodded in the direction of Stella Davis.
The Always Ready Club" gasped S:ella
breathlessly Because we're always ready for
everything
Very goodi" commended Annabel
1T took you three days to think of thati"
scoffed Rosemary Jenkins. Sounds like
1ashlight my brothers got on his bike
What of it!' Tears were in Stea's eyes.
I'm sure a club could have similar name"
Annabel was soothing. What is yours, Pris-
cilla?" Patiently she ignored Rosemary jenkins.
'The True Blue Club" said Priscilla proudly.
There was murmur of approval and ad-
miration from the sister Violets, interrupted
by the contemptuous voice of the renegade
Rosemary.
Then we'd be known as the T. BIS and
people would think we had consumption. Ugh
don't think much Of that!"
So it with the rest of the suggestions
The names of the Ten Pins (because there were
ten in the club, the Willing Workers, the
Sunshine Girls, the Four Leaf Clovers and
others, all met with Rosemary jenkins ridicule
If she coulon't think of any especially biting
rejoinder she held her nose and contented her
self with devastatingly scornful, "Phooey."
"AH right, tell us what you've thought of.
Smarty!" challenged Barbara Mooney
Annabel bit her lips. She had had no in
tention of calling upon Rosemary 1t was too
late now. Rosemarys small freckled face shone
and her brown eyes cleaned wickedy.
1--we thought of several dandy ones" she
said briskly. But the one like best is the
Red Hot Babies. We're the Red Hot Babies
and Anniebel, mean, Miss Forrest. is our Red
Hot Mamma"
The seven faithful gasped and looked at
Annabel the two straddlers giggled and hid
their faces in their hands.
I'm afraid Rosemary doesn't understand our
club and its purpose" said Annabel icily. I'm
afraid she doesn't really belong. Rosemary
I'll have to ask you to go so far back that you
can't hear us and can't disturb this very i'm
portant meeting.
. OSEMARY went, but her manner was far
~ from crestfallen. There was even hint
OF desperation as she flung herself down on the
ground.
'Rosemary's gone" suddenly cried Mary
Louise Bartlett> "Rosemarys gone
Annabel explored the many little interlacing
paths near their camping grounds. Repeatedly
she called but received no answer. Her fear
mounted.
A few minutes later she heard voices and
was filled with hope. A family party and
probably Rosemary would have joined IT,
But no, it was group Of little boys about 10
years of age, seated in semi-circle around
tall. dark young man in gray slacks and
soft gray shirt. Even in her anxiety Annabel
noticed that he was especially good looking.
He had thick, rumpled brown hair, brown eyes
and clear broad face that was tanned even
in the Spring. He had been looking thoroughly
bored, but when he saw her his eyes lighted
and he rose briskly to his feet When he
stood up she noted with approval that he was
tall, much taller than Earl Woodsum.
Have you seen little grip" she asked
breathlessly. "A little girl about 10 years old?"
Have we seen little girl, fellows?" the
young man inquired Of his followers, and, not
ing their open-mouthed stares stated. mo,
we haven't"
"Oh, dear" exclaimed Annabel, IT don't
know what to do You see. we're back there,
a group of us, and she-she wandered away.
I've hunted and huntedT
Don't worry" The young man. seeing her
visible distress, spoke soothingly. Wen find
her. You fellows, now," he fixed the little boys
with look Of prodigious sternness. "stay right
here and behave yourselves. No rough housing
and If anybody gets cut up with those knives
they'll be thrown in the pond The knives
mean. Three of 'em brought along new knives
today" he explained to Annabel as he walked
beside her out Of the clearing along the path,
mice and sharp and agreeably shaped like
daggers."