The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1918-12-26
The Name of
Roberts
GA<D
BY LINCOLN RoTHBLUM
Copyright, 1918. by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)

|
Dear Sis-I know you will be as
disappointed as l am to learn that
Lieutenant Roberts will not approve
my furlough. He is commanding OH
Ger while the captain is in the hos
pltal, and says that If l were to go
home now it would leave the company
without mechanic, as there Is no one
else in the company qualified to do
such work. SO we will have to pocket
our disappointment and wait for a
more favorable opportunity. Love from
your brother. RALPH"
"Ralph is right" Mrs. Somners an
swered soothingly as she industrlously
continued to knit the wool which was
gradually and surprisingly assuming
the form of sweater "and If he Is
needed there It would be unpatriotic
to have him with us"
"But, mother, can't you understand
that | wanted him home for the mill
tary ball? 1t won't seem like n real
dance unless Ralph is with us. Oh,
just hate Lieutenant Roberts. It's an
| ugly old name, anyway"
Flush, child, you don't realize what
you are saying. But how will 1t be If
| speak to father and see If he won't
let you visit Ralph in camp? You
could make the trip alone
The happy suggestion brought a
| quick smile to the charming face which
seldom failed to reflect cheerfulness
you're n dear, dear mother, and if
| you can convince daddy TO let me go,
I'll give you exactly thirty-nine KISSES"
And as If making an advance deposit
on the proposed payment, Mrs. Som
mers received Il generous portion Of
the amount due.
And because daddy" was never
known to refuse his daughter any rea-
s0nable request which would contrib
| ute TO her happiness, 1t was but a
short week before the Overland Lin
| tied swiftly bore the excited girl to
the great cantonment, very proud Of
the responsibility of travelling unchap-
erOned; and her cup of happiness was
| quite filled to overlooking as Mechan-
ic Sommers. with chest inflated, placed
| on exhibition "my sister" before the
"fellers" standing with gaping mouths
at the unusual vision of loveliness
among their monotonous uniforms of
khaki.
And Madeleine loved to make the
daily trip from town to camp, despite
| ha rid thn ,.f.Ig
ETY., rambling, one-line car-the only
means of access to the camp. AT the
| "Y" there was always a crowd of
eager, manly boys waiting about the
| piano for the magic music she could
make with fingers and voice and other
| magic with her eyes. This night II was
the bugler's warming call Of tattoo"
which sent her scurrYing for the street
cars last trip back to town, ably es-
corted to the car line by an even
dozen khali-clad figures on each side.
Madeleine turned to wave a pleasant
goodnight from the platform, and as
| the conductor tangled the cord the
car moved rumblingly off Fare
please" came In the mechanical tone
Of habit.
Her pursel It was gonel No, she
remembered leaving It on top of the
piano at the Y. NJ. C. A. How would
she pay her fare? Would the conduc-
tor put her off? It was far to town
and the night was dark.
Pardon me, madam, but may ] as
sist you in your dnlcultyp And as
Madeleine looked up she found the
owner of the dulcet tones handing the
conductor the necessary coin and sa-
lutlng her with military precision.
"a first lieutenant and decidedly
good-looking," she thought az her eyes
took in collar insignia and the fea-
lures above. Aloud: "Thank you, sir;
am very grateful"
The officer bowed and moved up to-
ward the front of the car, When he
seated himself he found the young
lady beside him.
A blush of faint pink suffuscd her
cheeks. 81 would like to repay you,
If"
"Don't," he interrupted, holding up
his hand; 81 am glad to have been Of
assistance. Would you care to sit next
| TO the Window
Madeleine accepted the courtesy,
and because she did not know whether
or not she should speak, and If she
should. what to say, she ran her fingers
up and down the iron bars Of the open
ed window, hpmming the lifting tones
Of q popular air. She felt she really
ought to make some arrangement to
return the fare advanced"
81 should like TO repay you, if"
"Do you really want to repay me2"
he again interrupted, very excitedy, as
II against his better judgment. And
without giving her an opportunity to
answer: 1--WE mn invitation to n dance
tonight, and don't know a female soul
to ask. VIII you come with mep
Madeleine looked around the car
There were no other passengers, and
she laughed out loud. sure" she
gamely answered.
The ride had never seemed 50 short,
and both commented on the fact. II
was just moment before that the In
cldent had happened, aud here they
were already entering the spacious
foyer from which, In the adjoining
hall, they could see the dancing feet
keeping excellent rhythm with the SIX
ophonist, who was not always certain