Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-02-20
The Saving
OF BObbie.
By KATHLEEN O'BRIEN.
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.

night. and now that Sunday dinner
was over the fortunate guests were
bewailing the fact that the morning
sun would see them all back In town
again.
Robert Livingston, however, was not
so sure that his visit had been alto.
gether n successful one. He was dcs.
perately In love with IIulda Roberts.
This was no secret. for Robert had
been guilty of relating his infatuation
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 othe; &:
The one cloud on his horizon, and
this II cloud which the brightest sun
shine could not blot out. was Carlton
Carruthers. There lie was even now.
when the precious moments were so
few. dangling over the side of the
piano Mt which Hulda was playing
softly.
Carlton Carruthcrs 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
telpiece and surveyed the scene. Evl.
IDENTITY Il plan had occurred TO him, for
he suddenly walked over TO the piano.
"Hulda. don't you think 1t would be
fine stunt to go for 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 Il stroll
In the snow clad in a decollete gown
and paper soled slippcrs?"
"Well. to be frank" admitted Living.
ston. II was thinking only of you"
"0f me:" 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.
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 90 to the II.
brary for an hour. What say youi"
Gentlemen. Gentlemen" cried HUI
da. How do you know that | could
stand either of you for one whole
hour?"
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 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-clothcs
and servants.
IIulda felt something brush by her
skirts and, leaning over. saw her IA
vorite Angora cat purring Mt her side.
Tenerly she picked the animal up In
her arms.
"Bobby. dear" she cooed to 1t.
did | understand you aright?" ex-
claimed Livingston.
II was speaking to the cat" reprov-
ed Hulda Ills name Is Robinson
Crusoe, but we call him Bobbie for
short"
"You will forgive me. Hulda. won't
your" apologiZed Livingston as he
nervously pulled ut his perfectly fitted
collar. "sut you must remember that
my name IL Bobbic And. Hulda." he
continued "a he leaned 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 IL nothing to me-"
~ was not thinking OF carruthcrs
meant could you ever care as much
for me rs for Robinson Crusoe? Do
you think
II think we are sitting too near the
fire and that II 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 thought that cats never slept
at night?" inquired Livingston. trying
to hide his chagrin.
''Thosc are only street cats" In.
formed Hulda. please take Bobbie
and give him to the maid won't you:
And you need not hurry back" she
added Before Livingston could rcmon-
strate the huge gray bah of fur was
thrust into his arms.
Hulda then curled up again I'm the
corner of the settle. To her the house
party was dire failure. That persist.
ent Robert Livingston had again pro-
Dosed. and here WAS she eating her