Page 6 - 1918 VES Meteor

42 TuE :METEOR
"Very well, Johnny," she exclaimed, "I will give you a definite answer. I must admit that I do care for you a great deal, but I'll ne,·er marry a sissy, a slacker, and a co"·ard. \Vhenever you have prO\·en yourself a man, come back to me and I'll be waiting." Then suddenly changing she threw her arms around him and in a strangely tender voice cried:
"0 Johnny, Johnny, I do love you! Now, dear boy, go out and make a man of yourself. I know you have it in you, and I'll wait for you, dear. K ow, go," and slipping away from him she fled from the room.
Johnny sat as one stunned for a space of minutes, then sprang to his feet.
"By Jove, she's right. I'>e made a bally ass of myself. K ow, I'm going to make a man out of the ass."
Ringing for his bat and coat, Johnny descended the steps and out upon Fifth Avenue. Jumping into his car he headed for the neareat recruiting station. Walking up to the recruit- ing officer be said, "I want to enlist."
The officer recognized him and said, "I'm sorry, N 1 ! De Witte, but all the commissions have been filled."
"Commissions be banged," cried De Witte, "I'm enlisting as a private."
The officer slapped him on the back. "That's the way to talk. I wish there were more like yon."
De Witte was given a few hours to settle up his affairs and get ready to lea>e for the training camp. lie stopped at the first florist's and purchased a large btmch of forget-me-nots, which he sent to Peggie. Along with the flowers he enclosed a short note. It read:
"DEAREST PEGGIE:
"These little flowers are simply a reminder not to forget me until I have become the man you want me to be. I have