Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1909-10-07


port. There was no particular stir
along the water front that biting, fog
81 morning In December when the
Admiral Dart came wheeling up the
harbor. swung into her berth at tho
Yellow Star docks with the aid Of
couple Of tugs-for the tide was run
ming strongly-shot out her gangplank
and disembarked the four passengers
she carried.
She also disembarked Bobby Shack
lett. But Bobby Shacklett did not
come to the wharf by way Of the
gangplank. While the fussy little
donkey engines in the sheds were
putting valiantly and swinging briskly
out Of the Admiral Darts hold the
many punches of green bananas Bob
by Shacklett, very thin, very pale and
very much unwashed, came up from
the stoke room, took long breath of
the misty air, shivered bit-for his
clothes were painfully thin and shah
by-and then climbed over the rail
and dropped unostentatiously to the
wharf
A couple Of carriages bearing the
steamers late passengers whisked
past him. Three rumbling drays went
humping past, one of the drivers
shouting impolitely to Bobby to get to
somewhere out of the way.
Bobby grinned. 1t was not a pleas
ant grin. He was thinking of his
Homecoming as he had planned it and
as 1t had actually turned out, and
comparisons. which are always odious
things, were particularly so in this
case.
He thrust his hand into the pocket
Of his ragged trousers, drew out few
pieces Of silver, grinned once more,
shivered again and made his way to
the street
A solitary hanson was drawn up to
the curb, waiting for a chance fare.
Bobby stepped over to it, The cabby
surveyed him scowlingly, but Bobby,
quite obllvious apparently to the dubi-
Gus glances cast in his direction, climb
ed calmly in.
He gave an address on a certain con-
sentative street uptown. The driver
stared at him. Bobby smiled.
Don't blame me, old chap" he said.
noting the others hesitation. But I
want to go there, strange as it may
caapo opd fpoop,ro tibla oS a. mo w 10
with my present appearance. What's
the row? Afraid won't be good for
the fare? Here you CO."
He passed up the handful of silver
through the trap. 'Now, then, drive
on" he commanded.
The whiplash sang through the air;
the stumbling horse lurched into a
trot; the hanson rocked, and away
they went through the dingy, noisy
streets.
They drew up finally before an i'm
posing house on the conservative up
town street. Bobby climbed from the
hanson, and while the latter turned
and went Gathering away he shut his
teeth grimly and mounted the brown
stone steps with light Of determine
ton in his eyes.
In response to his vigorous tug at
the bell the door was opened by a
statuesQue butler, whose dignity stood
out obtrusively all over him. He look
ed at the figure on the stoop and closed
the door halfway.
"Wellr,. he said, and the manner in
which he said 1t plainly babe the WIS.,
itor begone.
els Miss wadsworth int" said Bob
by quietly.
Hi think not, sir. In fact, Hi am
very sure she isn't" the butler replied.
A look came into Bobby's gray eyes
"a look that had made better men
than the butler quail many times be-
fore now.
II rather think you are mistaken"
said he. ''T'm sure she il home. and,
what Is more, am sure she will b
glad to receive me. II you don't be-
lievs 1t, Just tell her, II you will. that
the general manager Of the Colona In
tercoast railway would like q word
with her. I'd advise you to do as /
say"
The butler hesitated but a second
longer. The man on the stoop was
looking at him with a most discomfort
ing determination In his bearing. The
butler, unwilling, 1t is true, opened the
door.
"Step ir, sir" said he. "Hi will see."
A fire cracked cheerfully in big
fireplace at one end of the warm, dark
hall. Bobby drew chair close to 1t
and, sitting down, held out his stiff
ened fingers to the grateful blaze.
Up the wide stairs creaked the but
Ter with as much haste as his ubiqui-
tous dignity allowed. Voices sounded
above. There was little gasp, a cry,
the swish Of skirts, the patter of light
footsteps marrying down the stairs.
Bobby arose from his chair just as
Mary Wadsworth, more radiant, more
beautiful, than ever. came running to
ward him.
"Bobbs" she cried, both her hands
held out to him. Bobby, II can't be-
Iieve that It is really you and that you
are back! I'm glad-oh, so glad l can't
tell you property
Rohhv had stiffened His face was