Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-03-06
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
bcwaiing 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
Ecthcr Il successful one. He was dcS-
pcratcly 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.
The story was Interesting to Robert,
50 why not to others?
The one cloud on his horizon, and
this cloud which the brightest sun
shine could not blot out, was Carlton
CarruthcrS. There he was even now,
when the precious moments were so
few, dangling over the side of the
piano at which IIulda was playing
softly.
Carlton Carruthers was likewise In
love with Uulda, but he had never
mentioned the fact to any one as yet
not even to Iiulda herself.
Livingston leaned against the man
telpiecc and surveyed the scene. Evi-
IDENTITY plan had occurred to him, for
he suddenly walked over to the piano.
"IIulda. don't you think it would be
a fine 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 decollete gown
and paper solCd slippers?'
"Wcll. to be frank" admitted Living
ston. Il was thinking only of you"
"Of me-" echoed Carruthers.
"Yes. You see. | wanted to speak to
Hulda for a moment and | knew you
detestCd the cold, so | suggested going
out of doors to get rid Of you"
He was irresistible. and all three of
them laughed.
"LivingSton." said Carruthcrs, "I'll
make Il bargain with you. III 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 H.
brary for an hour. What say you?
"Gentlemcn! Gentlemen" cried HUI
da "IIow do You know that | could
stand either of You for one whole
hour
But CarruthcrS was gone. and there
was nothing for her to do but stay
with Livingston. Together they went
into the great hall and curlcd 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 congregatcd in
Mr. Roberts study and were in heat
ed debate over politics, while the wO-
men We're 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.
IIulda felt something brush by her
skirts and, leaning over, saw her ia
vorite Angora cat purring at her side
Tenerly she picked the animal up in
her arms.
Bobby, dear" she cooed to it.
Did l understand you aright?" ex-
claimed Livingston.
Il was speaking to the cat" reprov-
ed Hulda. His name is Robinson
Crusoc, but we call him Robbie for
short"
You will forgive me. Hulda. won't
you?" apoloEiZed Livingston as he
nervously pulled at his perfectly fitted
collar. but you must remember that
my name is Bobbic. And, IIulda," 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. Livingston"- began
Hulda
Gould 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'-
NlIllIN VIZ 'lIc HltllIlS lbO near lue
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 l thought that cats never slept
ut nlght?" inquired Livingston, trying
to hide his Chagrin.
'Those 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 remon-
strate the huge gray ball of fur was
thrust into his arms.
IIulda 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.
Pretty hard. My, my, but you must
have made 1t disagreeable for him!
May sit upon the vacant throne?" he
asked as he seated himself Mt the
other end of the bench.
For an hour or more Carruthers and
JuIJo In a Inyu topo ond vyara