The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-02-16
The Saving
Of Bobbie.
by KATHLEEN o'BRIEN.
Copyrighted, laoa by Associated
Literary Press,

hewailing the fact that the morning
sun would see them all back in tow
again.
Robert Livingston, however. was no
so sure that his visit had been alto
gether a successful one. He was des
perately In love with Hulda Roberts.
This was no secret. for Robert had
been guilty Of relating his infatuatlor
to every one who would listen to the
narrowing tale for the past four years
The story was interesting to Robert
80 why not TO othersG
The one cloud on his horizon, and
this cloud which the brightest sun,
shine cotad not blot out. was Carlton
Carruthers, There he was even now,
when the precious moments were 50
few, dangling over the side OF the
piano at which Hulda was playing
softly.
Carlton Carruthers was likewise In
love with Hulda, but he had never
mentioned the fact to any one as yet.
not even TO Hulda herself.
Livingston leaned against the man
telpieee and surveyed the scene. Evi,
IDENTIFY plan had occurred to him. for
he suddenly walked over to the plano.
"Hulda. don't you think 1t would be
fine stunt to go for a short walk
after that heavy dlnnerY' he suggest
ed, absolutely ignoring Carruthers.
Hardly In this toggery," Hulda
laughed In reply,
What have You against Miss Rob
erts, old many interrupted Carruthers,
shat you should invite her for a stroll
In the snow clad in decollete gown
and paper soled sllppersg"
'Well, to be frank" admitted Living
ston. Il was thinking only OF you"
"0f meY echoed Carruthers.
"Yes. You see, wanted to speak to
Hulda for moment and knew you
detested the cold. so suggested going
out Of doors to get rid OF you"
He was Irresistible. and all three OF
them laughed.
Livingston" said Carruthers, "rll
make bargain with you. I'll go up
in the library and smoke for just one
hour. then I'll come back and claim
Miss Roberts, and you to go TO the Il.
brary for an hour. What say your
Gentlemen! Gentlemen" cried Hui.
da. How do you know that / could
stand either Of you for one whole
hourl"
But Carruthers was gone, and there
was nothing for her to do but stay
with Livingston. Together they went
into the great hall and curled up on an
old settle before the open fire. The
other members Of the party had settled
down into peaceful groups
Most Of the men had congregated in
Mr.. Roberts study and were In a heat
ed debate over politics, while the wo.
men were seated cozIly about the
drawing room talking over the same
things that women always do discuss
when the men are not about-clothes
and servants.
Hulda felt something brush by her
skirts and, leaning over, saw her IA
vorite Angora cat purring at her side
Tenerly che picked the scimal up In
her arms.
Bobby, dear" she cooed to 1t.
'Did / understand you arIghtT ex-
claimed Livingston.
II was speaking to the cat" reprov-
ed Hulda. "His name is Robinson
Crusoe, but we call him Bobbie for
short" -
"You viii forgive me, Hulda, won't
you" apologized Livingston as he
nervously pulled at his perfectly fitted
collar. "But you must remember that
my name is Bobbie. And, Hulda," he
as he leaned a little closer
to her. do you think you could ever
come to think Of me as Bobbie dear?"
why Mr. Livingston"- began
Hulda.
"Could you ever care as much for
me as for
"You have no right to drag Mr.. Car.
ruthers into this" interrupted Hulda.
"He Is nothing to me-"
II was not thinking Of Carruthers.
| meant could you ever care as much
for me as for Robinson Crusoe? Do
you think
II think we are sitting too near the
fire and that 1t is high time that Bob
bic was in bed like all other decent
cats" answered Hulda as she gath
cred the Angora into her arms and
rose from the settle.
"But I thought that cats never slept
ut night% inquired Livingston, trying
to hide his chagrln.
"Tllose are only street cats" In.
formed Hulda. "Please take Bobbie
and give him to the maid, won't your
And you need not hurry back" she
added. Before Livingston could remon-
gtrate the huge gray BAH Of fur was
thrust into his arms.
Hulda then curled up again in the
corner Of the settle. TO her the house
party was a dire failure. That persist.
ent Robert Livingston had again pro-
posed, and here was she eating her
heart out for Carlton Carruthers, who
would rather smoke cigar than talk
to her. Just then Carruthers appeared
on the stairs.
"Ah. there you are~ he cried as he
discovered her alone $50 Livingston
deserted you before the hour was up.