The Democratic advocate., 1909-02-05
The Saving
OF Bobbie.
BY KATHLEEN O'BRIHN.
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.
BY KATHLEEN O'BRIHN.

was over tne IOftunHtc guests were
bewailing the fact that the morning
sun would see them all back in town
again.
Robert Livingston, however, was net
so sure that his visit had been alto.
gether n 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
The story was Interesting TO Robert
80 why not to OF
The one cloud Oh 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 III
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. Eyi.
IDENTIFY a plan had occurred 10 him, for
he suddenly walked over TO the plano.
"Hulda, 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 Carruthcrs.
Hardly in this toggery," Hulda
laughed IN reply.
"What have you against Miss Rob
erts, old manT' interrupted Carruthcrs
"that you should invite her for stroll
in the snow clad In a decollete gown
and paper soled sllppersf"
"Well, to be frank" admitted Living
ston, ~ was thinking only of you"
"of mef" echoed Carruthers.
eyes. You see, wanted to speak TO
Hulda for n moment, and l 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 CarrutheFs, "IIl
make a 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 10 go to the u
brary for an hour. What say your"
"Gentlemenl Gentlemen" cried Hui.
da. How do you know that could
stand either Of you for one whole
hourT
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 congreguted ia
Mr.. Roberts study and were IN n 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.
Hulda felt something brush by her
skirts and, leaning over, saw her IA
vorite Angora cat purring at her side
ANhSi's hhc BiNANu Aitt AhihhAl w ~
her arms.
Bobby, dear" she cooed to II.
ibid | understand you nrlghtT" ex
claimed Livingston.
81 was speaking to the cat" reprov.
ed Hulda. His name Is Robinson
Crusoe, but we call him Bobbie for
short"
"You will forgive me, Hulda, won'r
your" apologlzed Livingston as he
neryously pulled at his perfectly fitted
collar. But you must remember that
my name is Bobble. And, Hulda," hf
continued as be leaned little closer
to her, "do you think you could ever
come to think Of me as Bobbie dearf''
"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 Hudn
HE Is nothing TO me-"
81 was not thinking Of Carruthers
meant could You ever care as much
for me as for Robinson Crusoe? Dc
you think"-
'I think we are sitting too near the
fire and thai 1t Is high time that Boil
bic was In bed like all other decen,
cats" answered Hulda as she gath
cred the Angora into her arms and
rose from the settle.
"But thought that cats never slept
at nightT' inquired Livingston. trying
to hide his chagrin.
"Those are only street cats,r IN
formed Huldd. "Please take Bebbic
and give him to the maid, won't you
And yoe need not hurry back" 81
added. Before Livingston could remoli
strate the huge gray ball of fur was
thrust into his arms.
Hulda then curied up again in lh
corner Of the settle, TO her the hous
party was a dire failure. That persls,
ent Robert Livingston had again pro.
posed, and here was she eating her
heart out for Carlton Carruthers, vii
would rather smoke cigar than tai
10 her. Just then Carruthers appearcf
on the stairs.
"Ah, there you arep he cried as l.,
discovered her alone. $50 Livingsto;
deserted you before the hour was up
Pretty hard. My, my, but you mus
have made It disagreeable for him
May | sit upon the vacant throneT' ht
asked as he seated himself at tho
other end OF the bench.
For an hour or more Carruthers and
Hulda talked In low tone ami were
utterly oblivious that other inhabIt-
ants lived on the globe, The whole
world seemed theirs, and the thought