The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1915-06-10

Because Raymond used to come ev-
| cry day or two" answered her aunt
| simply
! Roberta's smile remained, but her
eyes were grave and wistfuL
"And Raymond, my old playmate, he
is well?" she asked at last.
yes, dear, and he has become such
a popular physician in Mossrock. He
has very wide practice and has even
been called to Wentworth for consulta-
ton on difficult cases. Now that his
mother is dead Raymond lives all alone
in the big house."
Roberta closed her eyes and visioned
the old Dwight homestead, a great red
brick mansion slowly decaying for lack
of repair
| Raymond was living alone-Ray-
mond, her old playmate who had listen
ed entranced to her singing and who
had called her ''Miss Bobolink"
Raymond, who was such home low
er, such a fine, clean hearted boy and
man, now came home to the silent old
house, empty now of his adoring
mother. H. -.-
Raymond needs wife," remarked
Aunt Dora placidly.
'Of course" agreed Roberta. Il
suppose there are plenty Of girls her
voice trailed away. ~.
| 'Plenty who would take him if they
could went on Aunt Dora. "But Ro-
berta, let me hear you sing. What is
| that bobolink song have read so much
| about?"
''That is one Of my big SONGS" said
Roberts, moving to the piano. II am
due to practice it this morning-so
| 1iSten!' ,.
The piano hummed soft accompani-
ment; then the rich, golden notes Of
Roberta's voice filed the room with
the melody Of bobolink's full throated
| song . -
Outside the door young man paus-
ed, with nod Of dismissal to the boy
who was showing him the way to Ro-
berta's suit.
Raymond Dwight leaned against the
door Intel and listened
When the flood Of glorious song had
ceased Raymond knocked.
A smartly dressed maid ushered him
into the parlor. +
Inside, he paused uncertainty. Was
this gloriously beautiful creature in the
| soft silken morning frock the brown
little country lass with whom he had
! played in her pink gingham sunbonnet
days? .--..ssss.
! Raymond, am so glad to see your
cried Roberta In her friendly way, Civ
ing him both her hands.
He had come, inwardly hoping that
Roberta had tired Of the public life;
that she might be ready to trade the
smiles and applause Of thousands for
| the smiles of her husband-but he
laughed at himself for dreamer Of
vain dreams.
Roberta was so blooming, so happy,
so thoroughly contented that he dis
missed his thoughts and devoted him
self to listening to her story Of the
past three years.
"You nicknamed me Miss Bobo-.
link" she ended, land now my best
number is the bobolink song. Let us
| speak Of you, Raymond-you are q
grave NJ. D. now. Tell me about it."
While Raymond told the simple, IN
eventful tale of his days Roberta lis
tened, reading between the lines Of his
hard working life among the suffering,
his long drives in storm and sleet and
shriveling heat, of hot nights spent in
the novels Of the poor and his return to
/ q hnIJSo nf Inv,
and understanding.
That night Raymond accompanied
Aunt Dora to the theater where Ro-
berta sang.
They sat entranced, those two who
tloved her, and when it was over-the
lights, the music, the applause. the
flowers-Raymond understood that his
old playmate, Bobs-Miss Bobolink-
could never give up this glorious career
to become the wife Of a country doctor
The next morning he went back to
Mossrock and to his sick and the poor
who needed him.
The months passed. Roberta's New
York engagement ended, and she began
tour which was to end in May
Aunt Dora came back to Mossrock
and talked of little else than Roberta
Money was plentiful in the cottage, and
Dora and Aunt Dill told how Roberta
was planning to repair and enlarge the
old place.
May came and the orchards were
a-bloom, bobolinks sang in the mead
lows. Dr. Dwight, hearing them, WINGED
painfully and urged his horse beyond
the sound Of the bird song with it's
haunting melody.
One May day was drawing to its end.
In Aunt Dora's garden she was reading
letter from Roberta.
'She will be home tomorrow, Ann,
said the little lady TREMENDOUSLY '.Her
season ended last night
/ y4z.IA - 10y