Show BLOWN IN BY DRAFT by JACK LAWTON copyright 1018 1918 western newspaper union private vance Dom donnette lette was a southern lad by birth As are many of our gallant young lads lie he was called into the service by the draft he entered a southern encampment in the latter part of march and in early may blay with many others was transferred to a camp farther north it was the of may ilay that vance was assigned the duty duly of a switchboard operator at tho the camp ills HIS hours at the switchboard were 6 a m to 12 m and 5 p in to 1 a in one bright tuesday morning while on his duty duly at the switchboard wondering how to spend the four hour relief that afternoon he at last decided to take a stroll through the village of riverside the village church the store and the central office were the important buildings one that tuesday found vance stroll strolling ipg the tha streets of a strange town several of tho the village lads were in the service so a lad in khaki was not art an uncommon occurrence 1 I dont see many lassies classies in this vicinity I 1 guess they are few and far between said vance arriving at the store ho he entered and bought a cigar then gayly passed on his way he had not gone tar far when he approached the central office glancing into the open windows and slacking his pace as he did so lie he saw the little operator at her post number please line busy did you get him riverside he heard the sweet little voice saying who Is the proud owner of that sweet voice how beautiful ghe was with that dark hair wish that I 1 might meet her said vance As he continued his stroll the operator was still in his mind ile ho walked on near nearly y a mile m ae then began his big journey homeward taking a slip of paper from his pocket he wrote vance donnette operator at local camp ring up on his return by the central office he walked more slowly than before just at the entrance to the office he be let the slip of paper drop out of his hand hope that she Is lucky enough to find nd it said he be A at t five emita dell the RIV operator was preparing to leave the office just as she opened the door to depart a slip of paper was wag blown in by the draft draught and dropped at her feet picking it up ahe he placed it in her ticket book and started on her way home wednesday morning as emita was recording her tickets she found the paper which she picked up the previous night unfolding it she read vance donnette operator at local camp ring up where did it come from who Is vance donnette guess ill ring him up shortly at eleven emita rang up the local camp Is this vance donnette yes was the reply this Is emita dell the riverside operator I 1 found your paper in the office it was blown in in by the draft draught so BO I 1 rang you up blown in by the draft draught and you found it 1 I too was blown in by thea draft thank heaven that you found it on emidas inquiry in regard to the origin of the paper vance related the tale of his stroll through riverside during their conversation emita invited him to call at the office on the day of his next relief the next nest tuesday afternoon vance vent meril to the central office As lie he neared the office instead of slackening he hastened his pace he was so anxious to meet emita entering the office emita greeted him with a handshake as though they lad had known each other tor for years that afternoon as he sat there talking to her the only thought in his mind was she is the most beautiful of all girls ile he was obliged to leave the office at three that lie he might not be late in reporting at the camp As usual at t five fire vance was going on duty and emita was coming coining oft off ashes a mon wonder derl i dark hair steel gray eyes cheeks as pink as roses and just about as tall as L I 1 ot of all the beauties she is it said he be ile he certainly Is a nice looking youth so gentlemanly in tits ills ways and so refined lit in his language she wils was sa saying ying the friendship between eralda and vance grew more intimate as the days passed by each visit helped to make their friendship more sincere finally dan cupid accompanied vance on his visits apparently dan cupid knows how to do his bit exceptionally well one tuesday afternoon instead of vance taking his trip to 10 emidas Emi Ei tas she went to the city with him the next nest morning when hen E ealta mita came to work she wore a sparl sparkling ding ring on her finger consequently ti y dan cupid had not failed to uen do 1 b his is bit early in october vance respected to J go over there one morning lie he called ealta tin on the phone say digs tie I 1 leave tomorrow for a ten day furlough before going over there im going homo home to see mother other rn are you ready to go as my bride yes tes ill be ready came the reply the nelc morning vance and emita loft left to finish the work commenced by y dan cupid A happy couple were private and mrs vance donnette ns as they took the lie train for the south As the train passed out of the tallon station vance whispered to emita arent you on glad that it was blown iu in by the draft drag draught ht 1 |