The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-01-13
THE cOURTSH/P OF BUBBLES.
A Poetical Interlude i'm the Life of One De-
voted to His Profession.

From the German.

Bubbles. When they had returned to
the hotel and Bubbles was on the way
to his room he met Crane.
IL have gone and done it," said Bub-
bles.
All, I congratulate you, my dear
boy" replied Crane. And you will let
me dine with you every Sunday later,
will you not?"
"She has made one condition | must
Immediately give up my position on
the newspaper. | am to look for some
thing quieter on a magazine, or what
ever suits me. She says | need not
hurry, as we are independent"
Splendid! And you agreed?"
Yes, that | did. What was to do?"
Soon the three returned to the city.
Bubbles resigned his position, to the
disappointment of his employer.
However" said the business man
aged Of the Steam Whistle, IF you ever
alter your decision you will be welcom-
ed by us. Hope you Will enjoy your
honeymoon"
So they parted.
Dora was radiant. She became ar
dent. When she embraced Bubbles he
gasped for air.
"Oh, l love you better every day,
Bobby, DEAR" said Dora one Sunday af-
ternoon, when they were sitting on the
sofa.
And Bubbles asked himself anxiously
what would become of him If that were
only the beginning of her love. Would
he not burn to ashes?
Just as the ardent Dora prepared for
another embrace the sharp gong Of the
fire engine sounded in the street. Bub-
bles pricked up his ears.
Fire." he cried, tearing himself
away from Dora, rushing to the window
and looking out. ut seems to be the
hotel opposite. must go. Will return
soon."
With that he gave Dora a hasty kiss
and stormed down the stairs. Being
engaged to an ex-reporter has its draw
backs" sighed Dora. 1T is always
cropping out somewhere"
After two hours Bubbles was back. 1t
had been splendid, this fire-eight per-
sons burned, $4,000 damage. One could
see how he had enjoyed 1t. Dora hoped
he would soon give this up, but 1t did
not happen soon.
On lovely afternoon late In the
summer they were sitting happily in
the little casino in the park. A sudden
clatter Of horses hoofs sounded on the
driveway. Then the signal whistle of a
policeman.
In a moment two fiery steeds har-
messed to an elegant carriage tore past.
The coachman on the box was as pale
as death. In the carriage sat two fine
ladies clutching the sides in sheer
fright. A mounted policeman followed.
There is an accident; excuse me for
FIVE minutes, my dear"
And Bubbles hailed a hanson, sprang
in and pursued the runaway. A full
hour poor Dora was obliged to sit and
wait, her love for Bobby abating by de-
grees. At last he came, beaming.
"All in pieces!" he cried, out OF
breath. Ran into a loaded van. One
dead, three badly wounded. Policeman
fell from his horse, skull smashed.
Great!"
He seated himself and related all the
details. Dora reproached him.
"Oh, dear child" he laughed, that is
born In me. 1t is as If q hare ran past
an old hunter. l will Improve with
time"
One evening they were on their way
to the theatre. All at once the cry was
heard: stop thief! Stop thief" and
man shot past as quick as an arrow,
pursued by policemen and others.
Here is your ticket. will como
soon," said Bubbles.
He pressed it into her hand, and like
one possessed, yelling stop thief!"
rushed off before Dora realized what
! had occurred.
THAT is too crazy" said she to her.
self.
In the entrance she waited, but as
no Bobby appeared she betook herself
angrily to her seat. Only at the begin
ming of the last act did he arrive.
Forgive me-" he whispered, as he
let himself sink into the cushioned
seat. Wonderful story. Great diamond
robbery. The fellow"
"S-st!" sounded from those near by,
as they scowled at Bubbles.
Broke in through the cellar.
| Three necklaces every"
"S-st! S-st!"
$1,000 worth. Tell you later I"
Dora nudged him and he was silent.
After the performance. when they were
In a restaurant. she gave him q sound
scolding. He promised to do better.
But that wos no easy matter to bring
about. He was indeed hopeless.
Dora lost all pleasure in her engage
ment She always feared that fire
alarm or an ambulance might destroy
kiss or an embrace and cause Bub-
bles TO Zee. Every day she grew more