CEHBates_JanFeb1919_033c

the Orient with her chum early in March.
I guess I'll be pretty lonely then. Her
friend, Dr Allen, will be back any
week now. You never really can tell
when they are started definitely for this
side. Poor man! He is so blue in
his letters and can't wait to get back.
That is the feeling Mr Ed Bates has
at times way off there in "Deutschland."

When do you intend to come
back? I guess that is a pretty silly
thing to ask. I picked up the Cal to-day
in the Library and there saw that
you had won the "Croix de Guerre."
Congratualtions! My, that certainly is
perfectly wonderful and you should be
mighty, mighty happy and proud.
We all realize what a soldier must
do to get that little cross which
means so very much. You are one lucky
man to have seen the War and to
have been able to do your bit. Ruth
just called up and said there was a
big article about you in the Alameda paper.
Now, see to what prominence you have
risen, Mr. Bates?

Well, I shall have to get to the
books now and get all my lessons
like a dutiful Coed. Hope this [underlined]
letter doesn't go astray and reaches
you before you make your farewell
departure from Europe.

Sincerely,
Marie