Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1909-03-03
The Saving
OF BObbie.
By KATHLEEN O'BRIEN.
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.

The Roberts house party had been |
voted n success. 1t began On 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
so sure that his visit had been alto
gether Il successful enc. 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 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. Evi-
IDENTITY Il plan had occurred to him. for
ne suddenly walked over to the piano.
"Hulda, don't you think it would lie
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 a stroll
in the snow clad in a decollete gown
and paper soied slippers?"
"WeI. to be frank" admitted Living
ston. Il was thinking only of you"
"Of me?" echoed Carruthers.
"Yes. You see, l wanted to speak to
Hulda for moment, and | knew you
detested the cold, so l suggested going
out of doors to get rid of you"
He was irresistible. and all three OF
them laughed.
Livingston" said Carruthers, "Pll
make a bargain with you. I'll go VI
in the library and smoke for just one
hour. then I'll come back and claim
Miss Roberts, and you to go to the ii
brary for an hour What say your
Gentlemen! Gentlemen cried HUI
da. How do you know that l 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 wen
into the great hall and curled up on al
old settle before the open fire. TIL
other members of the party had settle'
down into peaceful groups
Most of the men had cOngregated il
Mr.. Roberts study and were in a heat
ed debate over politics, while the VIC
men were seated cozily about tn
drawing room talking over the sam
things that women always do discus
when the men are not about-clothe
and servants.
Hulda felt something brush by he
skirts and, leaning over, saw her fl
vorite Angora cat purring at her sid,
Tenerly she picked the animal up
her arms
Bobby. dear" she cooed to It,
Did l understand you aright?" e,
claimed Livingston.
81 was speaking to the cat" repro
ed Hulda. His name is RObinsC
CrusOe. but we call him Robbie f,
- short"
- You will forgive me. Hulda. woT
r yOu?" apologized Livingston as
nervously pulled at his perfectly fittc
collar. But you must remember tn
II my name is Bobbie. And, Hulda."
continued as he leaned a little clos
h to her, do you think you could ev
\ come to think of me as Bobbie dear?
4 "Why, Mr.. Livingston beg;
Hulda.
4 "Could you ever care as much +
me as for
''You have no right to drag Mr.. CT
ruthers into this" interrupted HulC
= "He is nothing to me-"
81 was not thinking of Carruthe
n | meant could you ever care as mu
- LUZ me as lot hODluSOu OFuSOe!
- you think"-
& 81 think we are sitting too near I
IL fire and that it is high time that b
IL bic was in bed like all other decC
III cats" answered Hulda as she ga
I cred the Angora into her arms a
/. rose from the settle
4 "But l thought that cats never 81,
e at nightT" inquired Livingston. tryi
~ to hide his chagrin.
HI "ThOse are only street CATS"
III formed Hulda please take Bob
and give him to the maid, won't "
~ And you need not hurry back"
aS added. Before Livingston could rem
y strate the huge gray ball of fur v
~ thrust into his arms.
Hulda then curled up again in
y corner of the settle. To her the hor
party was a dire failure. That pers
IT. ent Robert Livingston had again I