The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-02-20
CUPID VS.. CENSOR
BY MISS MiNNA RICHMOND.


prompted by lot of romantic James.
I've finished with the club"
ooh, EN-, how can your" pacified the
less radical Helen. Don't cut loose
from a jolly bunch of girls without a
fully sensible excuse"
Excuse? But l have every reason
to do so. No self-respecting human
can stand for this continual rehearsal
of Phil Aliens virtues and suggestions
as to the part l should play in the
farewell affair they plan to intllct upon
him. I've a notion to duck down to
the cottage till the festivities are at
an end"
you'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 a decided pity that
you don't reciprocate his attentions"
'Well, as a matchmaking agency
they are a hopeless failure. When is
this scheduled soiree due to be worked
out?"
Next week, fancy, for Phil is soon
to be ordered South. You'n surely at
tend, won't you, Emu
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-olf. 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, EN-" 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 regardY
"Phil, this is all war-hysteria on your
part. Everyone seems to think it's n
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 a bigger, more won
derful man of you. You'll come back
with changed ideals. For me, therell
never be any other | admit; but ] in
sist that you wait to see If |, as your
ideal today, will be that Of your ideal
tomorrow"
"a lot Of bunk, En-. You're a dyed
in-the-wool ideallst. 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. Tn
Gle Sans caryiers did their share. Al
ways good pals with much in common
their letters We're of bulky proper
lions. The feeling Of eager expectancy
of mail deliveries was n mutual one
Emily's missives were CHEEKY and
lmpersonally breezy. Phll's tended to
wax warmer, and contained numerous
illusions to the invlncible 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 chlls Of a 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
mentality was 4 negative quantity
The letters were interesting anC
breezy but as imperSOnal rs her own
Emily was a surprise to herself
Who'd ever expect that She would mis-,
the old letters so? A youthfully con
ceited remark Of younger brother as
TO linen being a 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" ant
similar comments, failed 10 convince
Emily of Phil's interest. Every Letter
seemed strangely more frlgid than tho
last, till Emily decided that they were
the products Of Il camp refrigerator
Strange, she thought, that as Phi
grew Indifferent she became proper
tionately Interested She was heart
less and unpatrlotlc I'M the extreme
she reasoned. Never, however, woul'
she pretend TO complain, for she hat
been wholly 70 blame herself.
But every cloud has a silver lining
and when this particularly dark clout
of Emily's turned inside out It shool
from It's folds an unassuming little let
ter with consolIng secret wordet
thusly:
Little grille, over whom my heart
IN such whirl, greetings The kin'
fates have seen fit to supplant the eff
cient camp censor, known as Charlie
Stark. with "A good-natured western
benedict. Charlie as a pal at c0llpg
and camp is unoquul.d. plan 10 b.
home In week. BE prepared TO hea
about the struggles Of man torn be
tween q desire to be an ardent love
and the ambition to not appear as to-
loveslck a swain IN the eyes OF his pal
It's tuff grind. Anyway, I'm bet
TOR verhnl than written artist. A