Judge — January 18, 1919 — page 14: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

a —. along the wall at dances or ducking outside. And if a girl smiled at you! Why, you seemed tochokeon something None but the brave deserve the fair. Remember that! And you're brave enough as an original proposition.” “But you left a girl in New York, Tom. Engaged, I understood. Miss Jones.” “Yes. We've been cc responding. You were as strong for her yourself, I re- member, as a bashful man could be.” Drave by Lave Caurmeas “But never had a chance Old Mrs. F h with you! Yet you and I yu are friends.” *And always shall be, I hope. little speed on with the sex.” Two pretty French girls passed at the moment. Bill paid no attention, but Tom turned, responsive to glances from both, and waved a hand. “Shall we run along with them?” he asked Bill “Not for me,” was the reply Tom, do you think it right to Miss Jones 3 ® “Oh, that’s all right. I’m seriously for Mary. A little gayety here doesn’t count. I’ve written her about some of it. “And she doesn’t object?” “Well, she kicked a little, but in my later letters I have avoided the girl—the other girl—subject. I'm going to marry Mary Jones if I get back.” And you'll settle down then, I know. She’s worth it. I'm sorry, old man, that you've ever... “Oh, can that stuff! Come I know where we can get ar ping dinner without investir the premises.” And they went their way, talking over experiences at the front. And then they separated, ‘Tom to go back beyond No Ma Land and Bill, who after all was reconciled to home-going, to make preparation. Beforeleaving Paris he bought a tiny wrist- watch just because it took his fancy. It was no soldier’s trinket A soldier on leave with money in his pocket is pecuniary cousin to a sailor in like circumstances. Naturally, the first thing Bill did on leave in New York was to go home. Here he had such happine: is given and received but once in the lifetime of a man fortunate enough to figure at the world’s greatest moment. Walking the next day, Bill met Mary Jones. He was em- barrassed, but his eyes shone. rf pul pullets appe You ought to get a “As between friends, irt around here--when Drown by Jous Hein, Jn. you at the front?" “When Twas w from my pocket.” “What was the worst thi nded, three shillings were lost “Why—of all thing she said, taking not only the hand he extended, but also the one clumsily hanging. “How delighted I am to see you, Bill! ‘I've read about your bravery—and your decoration—and wanted to write congratulations!” And she touched the token of his heroism daintily, with a pretty finger. “Did you Bill stam- mered over the simple words, and bronzed as his face was it took a deeper color. For thy scandalous the way these further comment he was ic! tongue-tied. “IT was afraid to write. You are such a hero!” Mary blushed. “I wonder if you ever saw Tom Over There?” “Once. Met him in Paris, just before I sailed.” “Of course he was enjoying himself. What a flirt he Is he?” Bill's eyes were innocent, but they still glowed. Mary wasa picture. “I only saw him an hour orso. We had dinner.” “You know he is, Bill. But I’ve broken my engage- ment with him. Isn't ita funny thing? My letter was mailed a week ago, and today one came from him saying he would marry a French girl if I didn’t mind!” Bill looked in wonderment. “Gee!” he managed to say. Then he straightened as though at a command And his eyes were brighter, if possible. “I wonder what you it fo! “Had a sort of presentiment, I suppose. But something else helped.” “What was that?” “Well, I saw a motion picture taken in one of those French towns. It showed the good feel- ing, you know, between the people and the American soldiers. Tom was in it. Oh, I knew him all right! And he had each arm over the shoulder of a pretty French girl.” “And you don’t really care— much?” “T don’t care at all! I just got engaged to Tom foolishly. Do you remember that ball at the Lyceum?” “Y-e-s!” guilty “Well, I was miffed at that ball, and became engaged to Tom I really liked another fellow much better. But he so awfully bashful!” : The way Mary smiled, and the way she looked at him, made Bill as regardless of consequences as he was the day he won his cita- tion Over There. Bill actually looked g that happened to comicbooks.com