Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1918-11-28

Copyright. 1915 by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndlcate)
When Betty Wilson heard of Ger
man atrocities and the appalling cas-
ualties, she was shocked in a very per-
functory manner She felt as If such
things ought to horrify her. and ac-
cordingly would raise her hands, palms
outward, in on attitude of dlsmay, and
with a pretty shudder beg you to de-
sist II was awful, just awful. 1t took
her mothers unexpected message,
"Bobby's enlisted" to make the war
a vital thing TO her. For, although
Bobby himself never knew what place
he held in his sweetheart's affections
Betty had no doubts that Bobby ranked
ace high.
"B0bby's enlisted?' repeated Betty,
increduousIy. "In what branch?"
Mrs Wilson advanced toward her
daughter. Betty had not taken her
own brothers enlistment so to heart.
"In the cavalry" she answered. us
it not wonderful that he was accept
edo"
There was a moments silence and
then Betty was crying. "But, my
dear" Mrs Wilson comforted gently,
whatever is the matter? Are you not
proud to hear itT'
"Oh, yes, yes" came in a choked
voice, muffled in The folds Of hand
kerchief hiding eyes already sadly red.
but the cavalry is the most danger
Gus thing in the world. He can get
killed most any time"
A ring at the bell interrupted the
fearful grievance. As Mrs. Wilson
opened the door she whispered hasty
word to the broad shouldered visitor.
"Where's Betty2" he called out in a
husky voice as he entered the living
room and pretended not to see her.
Perhaps It was because of the whis-
pered warning that Bobby was not
totally unprepared for the onslaught,
for with a cry of "Oh, Bobby, oh, Bob
byw Betty flung the tiny daintiness
of her person into his arms.
1t required but short conference
between the two, contaminated by the
approval Of Mrs. Wilson, to decide the
trip to the leading jeweler in town.
And slightly longer conference placed
upon the rosy-tipped finger of Betty's
left hand the warning solitaire.
And Betty sent him away smiling.
She had always felt that if her moth
er had not been so foolishly prejudiced
she would have made an illustrious
actress. Here her heart was crying
and breaking, but her eyes were dry
and there was a smile on her lips.
And the train letter she had given him
was a happy, jolly letter, full If good
cheer, but she hoped he could see
where the tears had fallen on the
pages.
At the camp post Office it was not
long before the soldier detailed TO sort
the mail knew to what troop Robert
Denton" belonged without further ref
erence to the address, for letters and
parcels penued in "A very feminine
script, came with such regularity and
quantity that he often was compelled
TO remark to the fortunate lad. Il
wish you had to sort your own mail.
You get more'n the whole regiment
put together" AT which Bobby would
smile and, tucking a box o. candy un.
der one arm and box of smokes
under the other, would stride off read
ing "A whopper Of letter. as he loved
to dub the voluminous manuscripts
which Betty spent numberless hours
10 compose.
1t was the middle of July--a very
hot and dry July Formerly Betty
and early June as rule found her al
the seaside. Mrs. Wilson was non
pluSsed
where are you planning 10 go this
season." she asked Il thought Of
Nautou Hook, Maine. The breezes are
SO cool there"
Betty shook her head with a decided
negative perhaps you may be go.
ing to Nauton Hook Maine. But }
am going to El Paso, Texas.
Mrs. Wilson stared. Texas for VA
cation Texas in the SUMMER Was
her daughter in sober earnest? And
then she remembered-and remember
ing. she smiled. For close to III Pasc
was Fort Bliss And at Fort Bliss
well. mt Fort Bliss was Bobby.
As the hours flew by when the train
crossed the boundary line into Texas
Betty kept wondering if there were
any end to the Lone Star state, With
in short periods the scenery changed
with unbelievable rapidity. At early
morning She was travelling through o
mountainous regiou-huge, stately bills
rising maiestically from the ground
Noon saw vast stretches of arid desert
land with It's network of irrigation
canals and bitches Now it was 2
plateau uure}ieved save for the stub
bles of cactus plants and then a deer
ravine from which the water had VAN
sbed cons ago. Night OF the thirt
day brought the travellers To the city
Of III PaSo. picturesque because OF
its constant competition in arcutec
ture. language and population fol
American or Mexican supremacy
Hotel PoSo del Norte. Betty d.
rected the taxi driver, ard was very
proud that he understood her. Per