The Hope pioneer., 1918-12-26
CUPID vs.. CENSOR.
BY MISS MlNNA RICHMOND.

Emily stanton la0 hurried Abruptly
away from the Knitting Circle. Twas
to her dearest pal, Helen Croal, that
she hastened for sympathy.
"Truly. Helen, I'll not stand being
prompted by lot of romantic James
I've finished with the club"
"Oh, EN-, how can you?" pacified the
less radical Helen. "Don't cut loose
from jolly bunch of girls without a
fully sensible excuse"
Excuse? But have every reason
to do so. No self-respecting human
can stand for this continual rehearsal
of Phil Aliens virtues and suggestions
rs to the part should play in the
farewell affair they plan to inflict upor
the cottage till the festivities are at
an end"
"Yeu'll do no such thing" scored
Helen. "The girls are right and you
are right in your own way, En-. They
all think worlds of yourself and Phil
and, knowing how worth while Phil
is, they think it's decided pity that
you don't reciprocate his attentions y
"Well, as matchmaking agency
they are hopeless failure. When is
this scheduled soiree due to be worked
out?"
"Next week, fancy, for Phil is soon
to be ordered South. You'll surely at
tend, won't you, Emp
I'D like to be 'non-plus' at the par.
ty, but 'twould be terribly conspicu.
GUS, l suppose"
The much heralded event was an
unqualified success. The old bunch all
met to give the khaki-clad youth a
rousing send-off. Emily, too, attended
but seemed to be less her own cheer.
fully impersonal self.
Determined to disappoint the match.
makers, Emily had studiously avoided
the guest of honor, except to allow
him two dances at the conclusion of
which the soldier asked for and re.
ceived her promise to write the home
news frequently.
"Tell you what, Em," said Phil. "a
letter from home changes the outlook
on everything. In the same way the
promise of the only little girl to await
your return makes the fight one well
worth fighting. Changed your mind
any in that regard?"
"Phil, this is all war-hysteria on youl
part. Everyone seems to think it's a
necessary part of the war program.
can't be convinced that this signing
up while the spirit of patriotism moves
you is for the best interests of the
parties concerned. Your war expe.
rience will make bigger, more won.
derful man Of you. You'll come back
with changed ideals. For me, there'll
never be any other, admit; but in
sist that you wait to see If I, as your
ideal today, will be that Of your ideal
tomorrow"
"a lot of bunk, Elm. You're dyed
in.the-wool idealist. Be practical, do
when you know that the happiness of
both Of us is at stake.'
Argument proved futile. Phil had to
resign himself with the promise of
having a regular correspondent. Un.
Gle Sans carriers did their share. AL.
ways good pals, with much in common
their letters were Of bulky proper
tions. The feeling of eager expectancy
Of mail deliveries was mutual one
Emily's missives were CHEEKY and
impersonally breezy. Phil's tended to
wax warmer, and contained numerous
illusions to the invincible bachelor
maid. Mention was made of acquain
tances made in the social life of the
camp; maids from neighboring towns
etc. Always was their cordial spirit
emphasized and the point made that
they did not radiate any of the frigid
atmospherical chills of certain north
ern miss. All of which Emily read
with an air of amused tolerance.
The day came, however, when this
which Emily had termed silly senti
ment,sity, was negative quantity
The letters were interesting and
breezy, but as impersonal as her own
Emily was surprise to herself
Who'd ever expect that she would miss
the old letters so? A youthfully con
ceited remark of younger brother as
to "men being scarce dainty these
days" reminded her that Phil probably
had met many admirers.
Even the remark that her letters
"truly put the sure in pleasure" and
similar comments, failed to convince
Emily Of Phil's interest. Every letter
seemed strangely more frigid than the
last, till Emily decided that they were
the products of a camp refrigerator
Strange, she thought, that as Phi
grew Indifferent she became proper
tionately interested. She was heart
less and unpatriotic in the extreme
she reasoned. Never, however, would
she Pretend to complain, for she hat
been wholly to blame herself.
But every cloud has a silver lining
and when this particularly dark clout
of EmiIy's turned inside out It shool
from its folds an unassuming little let
ter with a consoling secret wordet
thusly:
R-NR