The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1921-03-10
The House That
Bobby Built
By MARY LINSAY


/
matter of six hours on the sestiDuled
limited-and Miss Grey, in extending
the Invitation, had thought of BoDDy,
and OF the express.
She had gone with him down to the
river. They sat on the rocks far out
In the scream, and talked OF the viii
lows, and of their greenness above the
water: of the mills picturesuueness.
Suddenly Miss Grey leaned back and
studied him attentively. The clear cut.
Clearly shayen face, the handsome
head with It's wavy hair, the laugh that
rang pleasantly On her ear, all these
had not changed, but he was not quite
! the same.
rs 1t a woman, Bobby" she asked.
"Yes," said Bobby.
as her picture In your watchY' she
questioned.
NO" he answered promptly, tits In
my heart"
Bobby Miss Grey put out her
white hand-It was like sudden, visit
full appeal. II hope you will be happy"
Expect to be-" said Bobby. In the
silence that followed he looked up
stream and whistled cheerfully.
OF course she had known that 1t
would come some day. Since his eight
zenith birthday-he was now twenty-five
when he had formed the habit Of ding
ing his tempestuous heart at her feet,
In season and out, she had advised
this step; but somehow she had not
expected him to be SO cheerful about 1t
A shadow, feeting like the flying
wing Of some bird far overhead,
crossed her face. Dear Bobby-she
would be lonely without him.
Perhaps, If 1t had not been for the
stupid accident Of years. she might
have loved Bobby as he demanded, In
stead Of In maternal, protective
way; but her milestones outnumbered
Bobby's. and no amount Of arithmetic
would set 1t right.
"Jeanie"-there wasn't anybody else
In her world who called Eugenia Grey
"Jeanie"-don't you want me to tell
you about it?'
"Yes," said Miss Grey. lying braveiy.
Its to be in June. SurprisedT
For she had moved slightly. I'VE are
going to keep house In a cottage, with
white-pillared porch-l0ts of porch.
The dining-room is furnished In Flem-
ish oak--the figures In the chair-bncks
make faces at yOu-it's very somber
Gal aah
you'd call dear-it was. But then,
you see, my wife will need it for the
presents"
His wifel Dear Heaven, Bobby's
wifsi
There's a couch and lots Of pill
lows In the den; the furniture Is ma
hogany there. You see." he added
grayely, Il am trying to please her."
Miss Grey turned on him In white
and speeches. Indignation.
"Jeanie dear"-the color had come
into his cheeks-''it's the twilight that
l think of, for us, there. And my
wife stands at the open window-tall
and slender and whlte-and the breeze.
the strong. joyous, night wind from
the sea, flutters her gown and streams
the curtain out into the room-it floats
like bridal veil In the darkness-and
l 90 to her silently, and put my arms
about her. She doesn't say, Don't,
or You forget yourself, sir! She's ST.
lent, too"
ut is late" Miss Grey spoke coldly.
you'll miss your train" She rose as
she spoke. The sun was gone, and the
warmth from the sunny river. They
walked back to the house In silence. Al
the steps Bobby stopped and kissed her
brow.
you always said you would be glad,
Jeanie; but you have been good to lis
ten SO patiently. Now must run for
my train"
He was gone.
She took out her handkerchief and
vigorously rubbed her brow. The
touch of the cool. brotherly kiss stung
In the library she lay quite still
among the cushions piled on the
couch. She had asked for quiet, and
the library without lights. Dusk crept
stealthily into the room, and suddenly
the curtain at the wide open window,
moved by passing wind. blew out like
the curtains In the sea cottage. A
fierce. barbaric hatred for the woman
who was to live there with Bobby pos.
sessed her. The arithmetic Of hearts
cannot be counted by years: and for q
foolish question Of arithmetic she had
lost Bobby.
Arithmetic be-" She sat up,
dashed the tears from her cheeks, and
searched wildly for what she wanted
"Be-be hangedl" she sobbed. There
are only two--two measly little years
between U.S."
After little while she went to the
window, and stood there looking out.
The curtain streamed out again like
white sail; then, homeward bound,
wrapped itself about the silent figure.
The room was very silent.
Bobby" she cried, for stronger
clasp was about her.
II missed my train" said pobhv