The Press., 1909-08-18
The Saving
 Or Robbie. By KATHLEEN O'BRIEN. Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
 Literary Press.

The Roberts, house party had been voted q success. It began nn Friday 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 50 sure that his visit had been alto gether successful one. He was des- perately in love with Hulda 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. so why not to others?
 The one cloud on his horizon, and this a cloud which the brightest sun- shine could not blot out, was Carlton Carruthers. There he was even now, when the precious moments were so 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, telpiece and surveyed the scene. Xvi, dently plan had occurred to him, foF' he suddenly walked over to the piano.
 ''Hulda, don't you think it would be- a fine stunt to go for a short walk Rn ne,% ed, absolutely Ignoring Carruthers.
 Hardly in this toggery," Hulda laughed in reply.
 '"What have you against Miss Rob- erts, old manY' interrupted Carruthers, "that you should invite her for stroll in the snow clad in a decollete gown and paper soIed slippers?"
 ''Well, to be frank" admitted Living ston, ''I was thinking only of you"
 "Of meY echoed Carruthers.
 ''Yes. You see, wanted to speak to Hulda for a moment, and knew you detested the cold, so I suggested going out of doors to get rid of you.'
 He was irresistible, and all three of them laughed.
 Livingston" said Carruthers, "PH 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 li- brary for an hour. What say you"
 "Gentlemen! Gentlemen" cried Hull 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 congregateG iH Mir. 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 fa- vorite Angora cat purring at her side. Tenerly she picked the animal up in her arms.
 Bobby, dear" she cooed to it.
 Did understand you arightw ex- claimed Livingston. ....
 'I was speaking to the cat," reprov ed Hulda. His name is Robinson Crusoe, but we call him Robbie for short"
 "You will 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 Robbie. And, Hulda," he continued as he leaned little closer to her, do you think you could ever come to think of me as Robbie dear?"
 "Why, MT. Livingston"- began Hulda:
 Gould you ever care as much for me as for"-
 'FYou have no right to drag MT. Car ruthers into this" interrupted Hulda. "He is nothing to me-"
 ''I was not thinking of Carruthers. I meant could you ever care as much for me as for Robinson Crusoe? Do you think"-
 "I think we are sitting too near the fire and that it 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 chagFin.
 "Those are only street cats," in- formed Hulda. Please take Robbie and give him to the maid, won't you? And you need not hurry back" she added. Before Livingston coultR1emon- strate the huge gray ball of fur was thrust into his arms.
 Hulda then curled up again in the corner of the settle. To her the house party was dire failure. Chat 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 arev' he cried as he discovered her alone. "SO Livingston deserted you before the hour was up. Pretty hard. My. my. but you must have made it disagreeabIe for him! May sit upon the vacant throneY' he asked as he seated himself at the other end of the bench.
 For an hour or more Carruthers and Hulda talked in low tone and were utterly oblivious that other inhablt. ants lived on the globe. The whole world seemed theirs, and the thought of others even existing would have marred the picture.
 Suddenly the door leading to the back of the house was thrust open, and the maidservants came dashing through in wild disorder, one after the other, yelling: "Fire! Save mel Mur- dery' etc. The butler appeared on the scene immediately after them and a.. C.,