Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 290, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 December 1918 — The Name of Roberts [ARTICLE]

The Name of Roberts

By LINCOLN ROTHBLUM

[ home now iTwotild leave the company without a mechanic, as there is no one else in the company qualified to do such work. 5 So we will have to pocket our disappointment and wait for a more-favorable opportunity. Love from your brother. RALPH.*** h “Ralph Is right,” Mrs. Sommers anawered soothingly as she Industriously continued to knit the wool which was gradually and surprisingly assuming the form of a sweater, “and if-he is needed there it would be unpatriotic to have him with us." ♦•But, mother, can’t-you understand that I wanted him home for the military ball? It won’t seem like a real dance unless Ralph is with us. Oh. I just hate Lieutenant Roberts. It’s an ugly old name, anyway.” -“Hush, child, you- don’t realize what you are saying. But how will It be If I 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 a 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. Sommers received a generous portion of the amount due.. -And because “daddy” was never known to refuse'his daughter any rear sonable request which would contribute ~to her happiness, it wa< but a -short befdre the Overland Limited swiftly bore the excited girl to the great cantonment, very proud of the responsibility of traveling unchaperonefl ; and her cup of happiness was quite filled to overflowing as Mechanic Sommeas, 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 the tiresome, hard ride upon the rickety, 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 mtigic music she could make with fingers and voice and other magic with her eyes. This night it was the bugler’s warning call of ,f tattoo” which sent her scurrying for the street car’s last trip.back to town, ably escorted to the car line by an even dozen khakbclad figures on each side.

Madeleine turned to wave a pleasant good-night from the platform, and as the conductor jangled the cord the car moved rumblingly off. “Fare please,” came in the mechanical tone of habit Her purse I It was gone! No, she remembered leaving it on top of the piano at the Y. M. C. ~A. How would she pay her fare? Would the conductor put her off? It was far to town s nnd the night was dark. “Pardon me, madam, but may I assist you in your difficulty?”’ And as Madeleine looked up she found foe owner of the dulcet tones handing the conductor the necessary coin and sa-luting-her with military precision. "A first lleufepant and decidedly good-looking,” sficrthought as her eyes took in collar insignia anjVXhe features above. Aloud: “Thank youTsir; I am very grateful.” X; The officer bowed and moved up toward the front of the car. When he seated himself he found the yoftng lady beside him. ~ X■;A blush of faint pink suffused hi*r’ cheeks. “I would like to repay you,, if—” “Don’t,” he* interrupted, holding up his hand;-”! am glad to have been oft assistance. Would you care'~to-siknext\ to the Window IP 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 opened window, humming the lilting tones of a popular air. She felt she really ought to make some arrangement "to return the fare advanced.” “1 should tike* to repay you, if—” “Do you really want to repay me?” he again interrupted, very excitedly, as if against his better judgment And without giving her an opportunity to answer:’ "I’ve an invitation to a dance” tonight, and don’t know a demals soul to ask. Will you come with me?” • Madeleine looked around the car. There were no other passengers, and she laughed out loud. “Sure,” she gamely answered. ' The ride had never seemed so short, I and both commented on the fact It | was just a moment before that the inI cident had happened, and here they , ft ere already entering /the spacious

'‘The closing strain or v>ooo ivigiivr mission to see ner again. w-nsimy, ff-orn the church near bv sounded twice She flew into the waiting section of the revolving door The next morning she awoke with the premonition that something surprisingly pleasant would happen. And by way of preparedness, het wardrobe for the day was selected with' scrupulous care and. judgment. As she entered the dining room many an eye approvingly took id her eritire person, stopping to linger at the clear color of her cheeks and the happy twist of her Ups. The light breakfast finished she passed out opto the stone terrace, and It seemed a sort of accepted fact to 'And the lieutenant there. _ “I thought you might like to go motoring this morning,” he explained, “and perhaps after dinner you may care to visit the camp.”. Madeleine decided that daylight did not detract from the man’s personality. “Delightful," she answered; and a delightful ride it was. Out on the country road speed did not lessen his careful driving. Twelve o’clock, brought them to a hostelry in the valley, and to his other attributes Madeleine added the knowledge how ( to order an excellent dinner. On arrival at camp the lieutenant, now In his own element, became even more engaging, hut experienced disappointment that this most attractive girl should fall to find any interest In the life and surroundings which meant so much to him. But how was he to know that Instead of being a novel experience it had been her daily program for two weeks past? He racked his brain for an idea to arouse her lagging Interest. ‘TH have’my company drill with rifles,” he suggested, “you’ll like that." As they proceeded down the company street Madeleine recognized a familiar figure coming toward them. “Hello, sis,” Ralph called out, sliding his arm through hers as he saluted the officer. “Where-did you meet Lieutenant Roberts?”

“Lieutenant Roberts!” Madeleine exclaimed in a dazed manner. “Certainly not your Lieutenant Roberts?” “And don’t you like his Lieutenant Roberts ?’ the lieutenant smilingly and wonderingly asked. “When sis learned I couldn’t .come home on a furlofigh,” Ralph explained, “she wrote she hated even tne name of Roberts.” “Hush, Ralph?’ Madeleine whispered, holding up a warping finger against her pretty mouth. And then Ralph did a vpry unmllitary thing. \He saluted h|s superior* officer and deliberately winked. And although it is not on record, it is very possible that as he made an aboutface, he marched off with a big grin spread from ear to ear. “Do you think,” the lieutenant asked, as hi» eyes eloquently pleaded his cause, “that Mrs. Roberts sounds like a very bad name?”

Madeleine!# laugh gurgled from her throat for joy. “On the contrary,” she answered looking up archly at the straight figure, “I believe I shall find it very much to my liking.” The lieutenant glanced down the company street and saw his men standing rigidly at attention, their spotless rifles glistening In the noonday sun. “Sergeant A he called out, trying hard to conceaFtire happiness in his voice, “there’ll be no drill today. Dismiss the company.” s