Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-02-19
The Saving
OF BObbie.
BY KATHLEEN o'BRIEN.
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.


was over the fortunate guests wer,
bewailing the fact that the morninl
sun would see them all back In towr
ngain.
Robert Livingston, however, was no,
so sure that his visit had been alto
gether a successful one. He was des
pernteiy In love with Hulda Roberts.
This was no secret. for Robert had
been guilty OF relating his infatuatior
to every one who would listen to the
narrowing tale for the past four years
The story was interesting to Robert
so why not to Others?
The one cloud on his horizon. md
this cloud which the brightest sun
shine could not blot out. was Carlton
Carruthers. There be was even now
when the precious moments were Sc
Few. dangling over the side of the
plano at which Hulda was playing
softly.
Carlton Carruthers was likewise I'm
love with Hulda, but he had never
mentioned the fact to any one as vet
not even to Hulda herself.
Livingston leaned against the man.
telpiece and surveyed the scene. Evi
IDENTIFY plan had occurred to him. for
be suddenly walked over to the plano.
"Hulda. don't you think II would be
a nne stunt to go for a short walk
after that heavy dinner?' he suggest.
ed. absolutely ignoring Carruthers.
Hardly In this toggery," Hulda
laughed In reply.
what have you against Miss Rob.
erts. old man?' interrupted Carruthers
that you should invite her for stroll
In the snow clad in a decolletc gown
and paper soled slippersY"
well. to be frank" admitted Living
ston. 81 was thinking only OF you"
"Of meY' echoed Carruthers.
YES. You see. wanted to speak to
Hulda for moment. and I 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. .rn
make bargain with you. I'll go W
In the library and smoke for Just one
hour. then I'll come back and claim
Miss Roberts. and you TO go to the H.
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
horr?"
But Carruthers was gone. and there
was nothing for her TO do but stny
with Livingston Together they went
into the great hall and curIed up on nm
old settle before the open fire. The
other members OF the party had settled
down into peaceful groups
Most OF the mon had congregated IN
Mr.. Roberts study and were In 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 NJ her side.
Teneriy she picked the animal up IN
her arms.
Bobby. dear" she cooed to IT,
Did 1 understand you aright7" CT.
claimed Livingston.
Il was speaking to the cat" reprov-
ed Hulda. His name is Robinson
Crusoe, but we call him Bobbie for
short
You Will forgive me, HuIda. won't
your apologized Livingston as he
nervously pulled at his perfectly fitted
collar. But you must remember that
my name is Bobbie. And. Hulda." he
continued as he leaned a little closer
to her. do you think you could ever
come to think OF me as Bobbie dear?"
why. Mr.. Livingstop-- 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-"
Il was not thinking OF Carruthers.
I meant could you ever care as much
for me as for Robinson Crusoef Do
you think
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 Huida as she gath.
cred the Angora into her arms and
rose from the settle.
But thought that cats never silent
at nightT inquired Livingston. trying
to hide his chagrfn.
Those 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.
strats the huge gray bali OF fur was
thrust into his ayms.
Huida then curied up again In the
corner OF the settle. To her the house
party was 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 a cigar than talk
to her. Just then Carruthers appeared |
on the stairs.
"Ah, there you arer' he cried as he |
discovered her alone. $50 Livingston
deserted you before the hour was up.
Pretty hard. My. my. bot you must
nave made II disagreeabies for him! /
May SIT upon the vacant throne p. he
asked as he seated himself at the
'ther end OF the bench
For nm hour OF more Carruthers and
aulda talked In q low tone and were
Utterly oblivious that other inhablt. /
lnts lived on the globe. The whole
world seemed theirs, and the thought
u others even existing would have
narred the picture.
Suddenly the door leading to the
Jack Of the house was thrast open.
nd the maidservsnts came dashing
trough In Wild disorder. one after the
ther. yelling: "Firei Save me! Muir
IerT etc. The butter appeared on the