Smyrna times., 1920-01-28
THANKS TO BOBBY
BY MILDRED WHITE.

turned an Interested, enqulTlnS ldSO
toward his parents. Aunt Nells name |
had been mentioned, and Bobby was
very fond of Aunt Nell.
They were discussing her quarrel
with Jack Tolfrees. Bobby knew about |
the quarrel, for when he had asked |
Nell why Jack didn't drive them about |
any more, Nell explained lOftily that |
it was because she "didn't care to have |
him." And when Bobby asked Jack, |
why it was that Aunt Nell didn't care |
to have him." Jack had rudely mum |
bled that Nell could "go to the dick
ems"
Bobby knew that all this signified a
quarrel. 1t was the way that Fred Will
liams and he had felt toward each
other. His mother at this time was
saying to BObby's father:
"I don't know what will become of
your sister; she is so uncOncerned
about pleasing the men. Poor Jack
couldn't help being jealous, and when
he found fault with Nell for going
about with that new man, she promptly
gave Jack to understand that he had
nothing to do with her. If he hasn't,
after all his devoted attention, who
has, 1 wonder"
mo one evidently" BObby's father
answered, laughingly.
"But Nell really cares for him at the
bottom of her stubborn heart, Bob
by's mother insisted, land as for Jack,
he admitted to me that she's the only
girl in the world for him. However,
he has pride and determination enough
not to go back to her until she makes
the first advance, So"
$50" BObby's father finished sar-
castically. "He has a fine chance!"
4 Mother" piped up Bobby, "when
are you going away over night"
"Next week, DEAR" his mother re-
piled.
"Can Aunt Nell stay with me then"
81 have already asked her to-" his
mother smilingly told him.
When the automobile had carried his
parents away for their visit, Bobby
went a little lOnesOmely to his pretty
and unusually subdued young aunt.
Nell" he asked, "while mother is
gone, can't have a party? Not a big
one; just few boys and girls in to
play games, and cake an sa'witches :
mebbe just mebbe-ice cream?"
"Why, yes" Nell agreed. Il think
that would be all right; only do not
ask any one to the house, whom moth
er has not had here before. Six or
eight will be enough, dear. When do
| you want to invite them?
"This afternoon" Bobby answered
promptly, and set jOyously out upon
his errand.
/ When he returned his face still bore
its happy look of anticipation.
''Tll wear my new suit to the party
tomorrow" he answered, land you
wear your blue dress"
Aunt Nell laughed.
81 want you to-" he insisted. you've
got to play games with us, and every
thing"
"All right lover" she agreed, and as
Nell spoke her pet name for the boy,
a sad light came into her eyes.
Bobby went cheerfully about rs
preparations for the party and when
the eagerly awaited hour arrived in
stalled himself at the front door as
reception committee
Aunt Nell was masterfully ordered
to "start the games"
The pensiveness which had made
her an unsatisfactory companion van
ished as she joined hands with the
rOllicking party ring, while an uncom
Portable little boy skirted around the
outside waiting to drop his handker
chief behind the one he 'IOved the
best"
Aunt Nell being diplomatically
chosen caught the embarrassed bo!
and soon again the ring was swinging
Bobby, his door duty accomplished
eagerly Joined the others.
go choose your east, go chOos
your west, go choose the very one tina
you love best" the children sang.
Aunt Nell glanced merrily around
again saw the handkerchief at he
feet Then her eyes widened. Startled
perplexed, she hesitated.
1t was Jack TOlfrees who stood be
hind her, Jack, who had dropped tn
challenge to the one he slowed tn
best"
His appealing glance at the gil
proved the seriOusness-tO him-of tn
game.
Then after a breathless instant Ne
played her part. She ran after hir
out of the room, up the stairs, Will
Bobby took charge of the ring and lie
: it wildly on.
1t was Jack, however, who caugf
Nell pOssessively in his arms at tn
resting place of the stairs.
Darling girl" he said, "it was lik
you to have Bobby invite me to tn
party. Your own pretty way Of ent
ing my misery"
Nell gasped.
But I didn't tell Bobby to invit
yOu," she denied 81 did not even kno,
that you would be here"
Aho cfrfnlyon ohonOo 90 -, Ia-.o-