Palatka daily news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1919-1994, 1922-07-28
,BOBBYS GIRL
BY MALCOLM BROWN

tdE1GIG5G5C5GScSESG 9G1C1C77C33-e
Copyright. 1924. Western Newspaper Union
THE little fashionably dressed wom-.
an with the lorgnette looked hopeless
iy at the long line of push-buttons and
ietterboxes on either side of the door
before she found the name. At last,
with q little reckless gesture, she
pressed the button. The hall door
clicked, and she began the long tramp
upstairs. When one calls at an apart
ment house one always finds the per-
son sought for on the top floor.
At the head of the fifth flight door
clicked open. Mrs. Van Leyden found
herself looking into the face of
young, dark-haired woman.
Miss Farrell?' she asked.
"Come in," replied the other short
~. She led her into gaudily fur
nished room, in the middle of which,
upon a hard, straight, velvet-covered
chair. sat fat woman in middle life,
evidently Miss Farrelrs mother, for,
except for the added years and EN-
bonpoint, the features were almost
identical. Mrs. Van Leyden looked at
the daughter and at the mother and
shuddere6 involuntarily.
Mamma !" said Miss Farrell.
"Oh, all right" said the stout wom-
an, and, taking the paper which she
had been reading, withdrew into an
inner room.
"What can l do for you, Mrs"
''Van Leyden," said the visitor.
A light of understanding came into
Miss FarrelrS eyes.
mot Bobby Van Leyden's mother?'
she asked, apparently much amused.
Robert Van Leyden is my son."
answered the other. quietly.
''Then guess l know what you've
come for" retorted Miss Farrell. "Sit
down, won't you? Well, stand II you
prefer. You have heard that BObby's
mashed on me and want to stop II
: before it gets to the wedding bells
Well, don't trouble about that"
81 have no fear Of that" said the
visitor.
"SOme people" said Miss Farrell
"think that if a woman ls on the
stage she doesn't amount to much
And that's where they guess wrong
Why, If my Joe even heard Of Bob
by's notes he'd wiring his neck"
''You are engaged thenT inquired
the visitor, more gently.
"To the best man in the world" an
Swered Miss Farrell, twirllng a soil
taire upon her finger. "And for Joe''
sake-and perhaps for Bobby's girl
, though she'd be we'll rid of him, IL
my opinion-I'll de- what l can"
That's good of you.'
: ~Will your husband take you Il
the Imperial tomorrow night at clever
II you ask him7' Inquired the actress
'Of course he would. But what ar
you going to do?'
Fix Master Bobby. viii you b
thereY'
81 WILL" answered Mrs. Van Ley
den.
1t was In a frenzy of fear and agi
thLlOH IlluL mis-, dh 1ICJuCu lOOh llC
place opposite her husband at the In
perlal supper table the next evening
Suddenly she started. Bobby wa
coming In!
But was this Bobby, who took
seat at the supper table-this in
maculately attired young man VIII
sat down at the farthest table, hal
hidden under the palmsr And thl
hang-dog look in his eyes-she ha
never seen that before. And tn
! woman with him!
h A stout, middle-aged woman q
+ fortyGye or so, with a huge red ha
:. from which depended five pink o.
trich plumes, a yellow evening gov
! trimmed with violet bows, a pair c
/ short, black gloves. a vapid smilt
/ and-an umbrella!
It was Miss Farrell's mother.
And suddenly she understood.
"Say, Madge, I don't know whs
your game was, but it was the dulles
evening l ever spent" cOmplaine
Mrs. Farrell as she got home, wear
and cross. at one o'clock. II foOle
. that young fellow all right-anybod
could fool him. He thought l WI
you all along. But what's, the game
. ooh, just part of the weeks wor
{ ma" answered her daughter wearil
Intelligent Help.