The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1915-05-28
0FRTRUDF MORRISON

7 FAD it been for the corona
Rk%-S ton of king. not more
NfShH care could the two have
LE I'M bestowed on the seiec.
VA MI ton of that suit. Ripton
W$ the easy-going, he OF the
bling gait. untidy
linen, green socks and dingy brown tie
suddenly critical, corrective, veri
table connoisseur.
Something nobby," suggested the
well-meaning Shelby. selecting from
his samples a pronounced plaid and
forgetting that what well became his
old good.natured, tubby style might
set differently on his elderly friend
Something less ostentatious." Rip
ton would insist Nothing bizarre
nor rococo." Shelby guessed the new
words from the rejection Of his sam
pies.
Gray. exactly to match"
"Of course. now. it's your funeral.
Shelby would acquiesce in cheerful
regret Ripton consented to hand
kerchief bordered with color.
Shelby began that day. he started
leisurely up the hill to find Ripton. II
was spring-real spring -
"Whew!" he painted. droppins
heavily into chair that commented
on his 200 pounds What you go'
there. Bill?"
Warm for APRIL" agreed Ripton
hastily showing into his pocket g
square white envelope. His dropping
shy defenselessness suggested failure
and glasses stood on the table.
Takes the ginger-out of man
to climb a hill-summer weather.
winter clothes"
Billy" he finally continued, teeter
ing back his chair. how about thai
letter you chucked when you saw me
coming? Looks aristocratic, some
how. Society editor short O ma
terial?"
The older man flushed and smiled
sheepishly under the raillery
They're not inviting me now" lr
the rebound of the admission he drew
himself up into semblance of mill
tary dignity. Young man." he sale
sternly. time was when danced with
the belle of them ALL"
Shelby nodded briefly.
And a more slender waist. or &
trimmer foot" he stopped under the
others curious gaze. Shelby. we're
1850 - ,,o hooonca MO col
cut to be-or because we want to be
The weak. loose mouth. the hant
shaking in its effort to steady news
paper turned Shelby away in pity
Striking out at randon in kindly alb
sence of his former chaff. he coaxed
What is the letter. Billy? Can't
help?"
mo. It's-nothing. Just q little
fun the boys are planning.
"Well?'
81 mean-the boys-my boys. Com
pany b."
"You-in commando"
Yes" Years concentrated theil
bitterness in that word. He handed
over the letter.
Now. do you know. they never tole
| me that"
And you never guessed? Oh.
know I've pretty veil concealed It
Even my walks mellowed now" The
crunch of tn paper his hand &C
cented his cracking mirthlessness.
1t reused Shelby to sudden deter
mination. See here. you're going.
Going! Gofng-where?"
Why. to this here Memorial weei
reunion they've asked you for
"l-I'm--" his eyes wandered ove
mis- Aimsy, faded clothes. I'm no
1T
You bet you're going" slapped
down Shelby. Don't you want tt
go?"
He had selected and rejected hal
dozen suits before he got Ripton',
reply. They would be-nly own kline
--once more"
His glance wandered to the glasse'
and bottles. They don't know. EacI
slime I've pleaded illness or business
shouldn't want them to know. D'yo,
S'pose | could?"
Their eyes met doubtfully. II
would be week" Shelby was les!
| jubilant. But see here. Bill."| sum
moning all his own buoyancy and en-
thusiasm, you can, and you must .lant
you shall"
| Ripton caught UP the air Of unsuc
cess that had partially slipped from
him. "A weeks a long time-for me
A thought loosed again the drab dra
perry. Shelby. dispose" lowering hi
voice, shed be there? She married
| one of the boys."