The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1915-05-27
Ole 81
SPIRIT
.1S9 tOl
GERTRUDE MORRISON

sS the easy-going, he OF the
shambling 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 we'll 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. 1t
was spring-real spring.
"Whew!" he painted, dropping
heavily into a chair that commented
on his 200 pounds. What you got
there. Bill?"
Warm for April" agreed Ripton,
hastily showing into his pocket a
square white envelope. His dropping
shy defenselessness suggested failure
and glasses stood on the table.
Takes the ginger-out Of man
to climb a Midsummer weather.
winter clothes"
Billy" he finally continued, teeter
ing back his chair, how about that
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" In
the rebound of the admission he drew
himself up into semblance of mill
tary dignity. Young man." he said
sternly, time was when l danced with
the belle of them all"
Shelby nodded briefly.
And a more slender waist, or a
trimmer foot" he stopped under the
others curious gaze. shelby, we're
none of us-derelic;s-be we SET
out to be-or because we want to be.
The weak, loose mouth, the hand
shaking in its effort to steady news
paper turned Shelby away in pity
Striking out at random, in kindly alb
sence of his former chaff, he coaxed:
What is the letter, Billy? Can't
help"
No. It's-nothing. Just a little
fun the boys are planning.
"Well?'
Il mean-the boys-my boys. Com.
pany b."
"You-in commando"
bitterness in that word. He handed
over the letter.
Now, do you know. they never told
me that"
And you never guessed? Oh,
know I've pretty we'll concealed 1t.
Even my walks mellowed now" The
crunch Of tho paper in his hand &C
cented his cracking mirthlessness.
1t reused Shelby to sudden deter
mination. See here, you're going
Going! Going-where?"
Why, to this here Memorial week
reunion they've asked you for
"I-I'm-" his eyes wandered over
his flimsy, faded clothes. Pm not
fit"
You bet you're going" slapped
down Shelby. Don't you want to
go?"
He had selected and rejected halt
dozen suits before he got Ripton's
reply. They would be-my own kind
once more"
His glance wandered to the glasses
and bottles. They don't know. Each
time I've pleaded illness or business.
shouldn't want them to know. D'you
s'pose l could?"
Their eyes met doubtfully. 1T
would be week." Shelby was less
jubilant. But see here, Bill" sum-
moning all his own buoyancy and en-
thusiasm, you can. and you must, and
you shall"
Ripton caught up the air of unsuc.
cess that had partially slipped from
him. "A weeks long time-for me-"
A thought loosed again the drab dra.
perry. shelby, dispose lowering his
voice, shed be there? She married
Dpo IF tho hpva -