The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1918-01-03
DETESTABLE IMAGE
BY MILDRED WHITE

girls are all raVing over these old
images, and the china is as rare as it
is quaint"
/ am afraid my thanks lacked en-
thuSiasm, as l took the leering Hindu
god into my hands, for she added
coldly ut is also supposed to bring
true love-" and Miriam smiled enig-
matically, ''the image can never be
parted from its owner"
1t did not seem to me, as looked
into the squirting features, that this
was a thing much to be desired, but
1t was gratifying to possess such a
priceless bit of china, its stamp was
undoubtedly genuine. From my dress
ing table each morning the image
leered an awakening greeting, and ut
night when the last light had been eX-
tinguished, the Wilderness of the squat
ty figure shone out in the darkness,
and l was uncomfortably aware of
that diabolical smile as / passed into
a troubled dream. The thing was ac-
tually getting on my nerves, its pres
ence seemed so all-pervadlng. With
contempt for my own weakness, L
locked it in an unused cabinet, from
which it was later drawn forth by my
mother.
"Why, Nell" she reproved "you are
hiding away valuable piece of bric-a-
brac; if you do not care for it in your
room, will place it upon the plano
How many beautiful symphonies
that wretched thing interrupted, to my
embarrassment, no one may know, but
happily, for a time at least, became
so busy that the provoking image lost
its power to annoy. Our sorority girls
had formed a habit of meeting each
month, to brush up their knowledge
upon forgotten college Subjects. 1t
was interesting, for the boys were
asked in to be judges at the contests"
as we called them, and prizes were
given the successful. These prizes
were donated by the girls in alphabet
ical order, and we tried to make them
as unique as we could. l was study
ing up to beat Miriam Smith at the
latest contest, and-I did it.
The rooms with their chattering Oc-
cupants swan dizzily before my eyes
when Billy Bronson gave out the
judges decision.
"Creditably won," he shouted, "by
Miss Nell Wentworth"
Then all at once 1t came upon me, |
why, in my excitement had l over
looked this public moment. 1t had
been my turn to donate the prize, and
in stress of constant study the pur-
chase had been forgotten. 1t was only !
when slipping into my coat to leave !
for the contest that l remembered. |
Then, like a flash of inspiration, came |
the thought of the Hindu god. Quaint
and costly, the appropriate thing.
There was satisfaction in the
thought, as l tied my card about the
things neck, that / should never more |
be troubled by that grinning face,
And here, now, in presence Of Miriam
whose gift it had been, Billy Bronson |
was holding out to me that fiendish
invincible face.
Miriam looked, then laughed. "COn-
gratulations," she remarked, 1.-THE cat
came back"
l left the sorority crowd at the great |
gateway, ostensibly to board q car at
the corner, but my purpose was differ
ent. Safely away upon the stone walk,
l intended to let that detestable image
slip carelessly to its fate. China will
break, no matter how ancient, and
the time of the Hindu god had come.
The street lamps were lighted when
looked about furtlvely, and-let so.
There was an encouraging crash as l
hurried on.
Madame" cried a deep voice, "al-
low me-" A young man was bending
over the pavement, and as l hesitated,
he raised a handsome, regretful face.
II am sorry" he said, "the statue
seems to be broken In two, still it
might be mended"
"Oh no." I gasped, then the humor
of it all came over me, and buried
my face in my muff, in silent laugh
ter. at doesn't matter" / added,
blinking at him.
He was evidently mlstaking the
laughter tears In my eyes, his own
were so sympathetic. 81 am very
sorry" he repeated and stood staring
after me as l turned the corner. /
was so glad to be rid of the thing that
/ went about singing and ] couldn't
forget tbo piaa yo,,nr MANS bind ovoo
And the very next night when | was
singing a love song he came to our
front door. The young mans name
was John Curtis, son of John Curtis,
of the curio store, and
young John had taken that smashed
Image of mine to his fathers store,
and had 1t all nicely mended. Then
he brought 1t to my address, which he
found upon the card tied about the
heather gods neck. And was so cold l.
in my appreciation, that had to make
up for 1t by inviting him in, and being
You will remember that the image
was supposed to bring true love to its
owner. Well, IL the love of John Cur
lis for me Is not true then never was
true love in the world. AS he says:
surely It was the little old chap
who brought us together" and for
that reason he is determined never TO
part from tn Hindu god. But In
Johns home and mine the smile Of
he image above our hearth fire will
beam with the light of our reflected
happiness. Fl