The Penn's Grove record., 1920-06-18
THANKS TO BOBBY
BY MILDRED WHITE.

Bobby sat in a corner by the fire, and
yawned. He was bored by the conver.
sation of his grown-ups; even bed was
preferable to this. Then, suddenly, he
turned al interested, enquiring face
toward his parents. Aunt NeIl's 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
Sell 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 num-
bled that Nell could "go to the dick
ems"
Bobby knew that all this signifed 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:
II don't know what will become of
your sister; she is so u~nconcerned
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, | 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!
Mother" piped up Bobby, when
are you going away over night?"
Next week, DEAR" his mother re-
piled.
"Can Aunt Nell stay with me them"
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 l have a party? Not a big
one just a 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 viii 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.
"TI wear my new suit to the party
tomorrow" he answered, land you
weaA your blue dress"
Aunt Nell laughed.
81 want you to-" he insisted. you've
got to play games with US, and every
thing" "a
"A1l tight lover" she agreed, and as
Nell spoke her pet name for the boy,
a sad light came into her eyes.
Bobby went cheerfully about his
preparations for the party and when
the eagerly awaited hour arrived in
stalled himself at. the front door as
reception committee.
y Aunt Nell was masterfully ordered
to start the games" s~
, The p~ensiveness which had made
her an unsatisfactory companion van
ished as she joined hands with the
rollicking party ring, while an uncom-
fcrtable little boy skirted around the
outside waiting to drop his handker-
chief behind the one he loved the
best"
Aunt Nell being automatically
chosen caught the embarrassed boy
and soon again the ring was swinging.
Bobby, his door duty accomplished,
eagerly joined the others.
$50 choose your east, go choose
your west, go choose the very n that
you love best" the children sang.
Aunt Nell glanced merrily around,
again saw the handkerchief at her
feet. Then her eyes widened. Startled,
perplexed, she hesitated.
1t was Jack Tolfrees who stood be-
hind her. Jack, who had dropped the
challenge to the one he loved the
best"
His appealing glance at the girl
proved the seriousness-to him-of the
game.
Then after a breathless instant Nell
played her part. She ran after him
out of the room, up the stairs, while
Bobby took charge of the ring and led.
it wildly n
1t was Jack, however, who caught
Nell possessively in his arms at the
resting place of the stairs.