The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-06
The EVENING STORY
The saving Of Bobbie.
By Kathleen OBrien.)


night, and now that Sunday dinner was
over, the fortunate guests We're bewail-
ing 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 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
SO why not to others?
The one cloud on his horizon, and
this 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
tel-piece and surveyed the scene. EVIL
IDENTIFY a plan had occurred to him. Tor
he suddenly walked over to the piano.
"Hulda, don't you think it would be
fine stunt to go for a short walk after
that heavy dinner?': he suggested, alb
solutely ignoring Carruthers.
Hardly, in this forgery" Hulda
laughed in reply.
what have you against Miss Rob-
erts, old MANI" interrupted Carruthers.
that you should invite her for a stroll
in the snow, clad in a decollete gown
and paper-soled slippers?"
'fWell. to be frank admitted Living
ston 81 was thinking only of you"
"Of me-" echoed Carruthers.
Eyes; you see, wanted to speak TO
Hulda for a 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.
Livingston" said Carruthers. 'I'll
make a bargain with you. I'll go up in
hour. then I'll come back and claim
Miss Roberts, and you to go to the
library for an hour. What say you?"
Gentlemen! Gentlemen cried Hull
da. Glow do you know that I 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
other members of the party had set
tied down into peaceful groups.
Most of the men had congragated
in Mr.. Roberts study and were in a
heated debate over politics, while the
women were seated costly about the
drawing room talking over the same
things that women always do discuss
when the men are not about-clothes
and servants.
HuIda felt something brush by her
skirts, and leaning over saw her IA
vorite Angora cat purring at her side.
Tenderly she picked the animal up in
her arms.
f'Bobby dear" she cooed to it.
Ibid I understand you aright?'' ex-
claimed Livingston.
ST 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't
you,'' apologized Livingston as he
nervousIy pulled at his perfectly fitted
collar, "but you must remember that
my name is 'Bobbie.' And, Hulda," he
continued, as he leaned a little closer
to her do you think you could ever
come to think of me as 'Bobbie
1ear'?"
.'why, Mr.. livingston" began
Hulda.
"Could you ever care as much for
fsYou have no right to drag Mr.. Car
ruthers into this interrupted Hulda-
He is, nothing to me-"
81 was not thinking of Carruthers
meant could you ever care as much |
Tor me as for Robinson Crusoe? Do |
you think-?"
ct think we are sitting too near
he fire and that it is high time that |
Bobbie was in bed like all other de- |
the Angora into her arms
md rose from the settle
''But 1 thought that cats never slept |
at night?" inquired Livingston. try
ing 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 re-
nonstrate the huge gray ball of fur
was thurSt into his arms.
Hulda then curled up again in the
corner of the settle. To her the house
1arty was a dire failure. That per-
;istent Robert Livingston had again
proposed. and here was she eating her /
heart out for Carlton Carruthers. who
would rather smoke cigar than talk
@ her Just then Carruthers ap-
1eared 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
lave made it disagreeable for him!
lie asked as he seated himself at the
,ther end of the bench
For an hour or more Carruthers
md Hulda talked in low tone. and
we're utterly oblivious that other IN
labitants lived on the globe. The
Whole world seemed theirs and the
hought of others even existing would
lave marred the picture.
Suddenly the door leading to the
Jack of the house was thrust open
md the maid servants came dashing
through in wild disorder, one after
he other, yelling "F'ire-Save me
Iurder." etc The butler appeared on {
he scene immediately after them and
nade straight for Mr.. Roberts.
In moment all was confusion.
Irs. Roberts tried to calm the women I
uests while most of the men made
ash for the kitchen. Carruthers s
esitated as he felt Hulda grasp his {
rm tightly.
He looked down into the blue eyes
nd the rosy lips which had just made :