The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-08-25
The House That
Bobby Built
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By MARY LINsAY

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limited-and Miss Grey. In extending
the Invitation. had thought Of Bobby,
and Of the express.
She had gone with him down to the
river. They sat on the rocks far out
In the stream, and talked Of the will
lows. and Of their greenness above the
water: of the mills picturesqueness.
Suddenly Miss Grey leaned back and
studied him attentively. The.clear cut
cleanly shaven 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.
us 1t woman, Bobby" she asked. !,
"Yes," said Bobby.
us her picture in your watch7" she
questioned.
mo-" he answered promptly, ats in
my heart"
'.Bobby" Miss Grey put out her
white hand-it was like sudden, wist-
full appeal. Il 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 it
would come some day. Since his eight
eenth birthday-he was now twenty-five
when he had formed the habit of fling
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 it 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 bravely.
sIt's to be in June. Surprised?"
For she had moved slightly. 1--WE are
going to keep house in a cottage, with
\ white-pillared .porch-lots of porch.
The diningroom is furnished in Flem-
lsh oak-the figures In the chair-backs
make faces at you-it's very somber
and beautiful there. The cabinet
you'd call a dear-it was. But then,
you see. my wife will need it for the
presents"
His wifel Dear Heaven, Bobby's
wifel
There's couch and lots of pill
lows in the den; the furniture is ma
h0gany there. You see," he added
grayely,"I am trying to please her."
Miss Grey turned on him in white
and speechless 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 white-and the breeze.
the strong, Joyous. night wind from
the sea. fiutters her gown and streams
the curtain out into the room-it floats
like bridal veil In the darkness-and
go to her silently, and put my arms
about her. She doesn't say, Don't,'
, or You forget yourself, sirr She's ST.
lent, too."
ut is late" Miss Grey spoke coldly.
You'll miss your train" Sne rose as
she spoke. The sun was gone, and the
warmth from the sunny river They
walked back to the house in silence. At
the steps Bobby stepped and kissed her
brow.
you always said you would be glad,
Jeanie; but you have been good to lis
ten SO patiently. Now I must run for
my train"
He was gone. .f
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 O
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 a little while she went to the
window, and stood there looking out.
The curtain streamed out again like
a white sail; then, homeward bound,
wrapped itself about the silent figure.
The room was very silent.
"Bobby" she cried. for a stronger
clasp was about her.
* missed my train," said Bobby
the shameless.
He held her from him. 1t was dark,