The Democratic advocate., 1909-02-12
THE UNTOLD
HALF.
By ARTHUR BoLToNwoOD.
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.


port. There was no particular stir
along the water front that biting, fog
gy morning in December when the
Admiral Dart came wheeling up the
harbor, swung into her berth at the
Yellow Star docks with the aid of a
couple of tugs-for the tide was run
ming strongly-shot out her gangplank
and disembarked the four passengers
she carried.
She also dlsembarked 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 brlskly
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 a bit-for his
clothes were painfully thin and shah
by--and then climbed over the raii
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, grlnned once more,
shivercd again and made his way to
the street.
solitary hanson was drawn up to
the curb, waiting for a chance fare.
Bobby stepped over TO It. The cabby
surveyed him scowllngly, but Bobby.
quite oblivious apparently. to the dubi.
Gus glnnces cast in'his direction. climb
ed calmly in.
He gave an address on a certain con
servative 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
seem and Incompatible as Il may be
with my present appearance. What's
the rowf Afraid won't be good for
the fare2 Here you GO"
He passed UP the handful OF silver
through the trap. "Now then, drive
on" he commanded.
The whiplash sang through the air:
the shnmbllng 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 un-
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
statuesque butler, whose dignity stood
out obtrusively all over him. He look
ed at the figure on the s,oop and closed
the door halfway.
"Wellf" he said, and the manner IN
which he said It plainly bade the Wis I
itOr begone.
as Miss WGdswOrth ln2" 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
IA 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 is home, and,
what Is more, am sure she VIII be /
glad to receive me. If you don't be- |
ileve II. Just tell her, IL you will, that
the general manager Of the ColonR In |
tercoast railway would like n word |
with her. I'd advise you 10 do as |
say"
The butler hesitated but second /
longer. The man on the stoop was
looking at him with post disconcert-
Ing determination in his bearing. The /
butler, unwilling, It IS true. opened the
door.
"Step In, sir" said he. Iii will see"
A fire cracked cheerfully IN q big
fireplace at one end Of the warm, dark
hall Bobby drew chair close to Il
and sitting down, held out his stiff.
oned fingers to the grateful blaze.
Up the wide stairs creaked the but
Ter with as much haste as his ubIqul.
tous dignity allowed. Voices sounded
above. There was little gasp, a cry,
the swish Of skirts. the patter of light
footsteps hurryiDg down the stairs.
Bobby arose from his chair Just as
Mary Wadsworth, more radiant, more
beautiful, than ever, came running to-
ward him.
"BobbyF' she cried, both her. hands
held out to him. Bobby, IL can't be-
lieve that 1t is really you and that you
are back! I'm glad--oh, so glad can't
tell you properlyF
Bobby had stifrened. His face wns
very grave.
MARY please sit down for a mo-
cnent," said he. II shan't keep you
long. Just a word Of explanation, and
perhaps even that is not needed" he
added, with lugubrious glance at his
tattered raiment. ~ must apologize
Tor coming here this way, but stokine
ON fruit steamer raises the very
deuce with ones appearance"
She was about to say something, but
he held out his hand.