Middletown transcript., 1922-11-18
"MR. BOB"
BY GEORGIA r. HARRIS

Little boobies eyes were popping
with excitement as he burst into the
living room, where his mother sat
reading the evening paper.
"See, mother" he cried, breathless-
ly, as he pulled large, brown enve-
lope from his blouse, Il met man
down the road, and he told me to give
you this for your business"
AS Mrs. Merwin tore open the en-.
velope, she gave quick start Of sur
prise. A large roll of bills lay before
her!
"Why, Bobbie, boy!" she exclaimed.
her pretty face showing her bewilder-
ment, tell mother everything that
happened"
Bobbie had now regained his
breath. 81 was plckin' daisies over In
jenkins field, and when was comm
home, | met Mr.. Bob"
Mrs. Merwin was silent for few
moments. Did he ask you about your
father?" she finally asked
"Yep, and l told him my dad amt
been round here for ever SO long"
w Hat ulu lie say WieH Ht gave Sou
the money!" interrupted Mrs. Merwin.
as she nervously fingered the large
roll of bills.
"He just told me to give it to you
for your business, then" Bobbie
hesitated, as if preparing for confes-
sion-"he kissed me-just like | was
girl-and told me to bring the EN-
,s,rI 10
Lefty Merwin took the money from
the drawer. She stared at the large
roll Of bills, as if searching for an
answer to the burning questions in
her brain.
Why had Bob Merwin. for surely 1t
was he. sent her this money? Mem
| cries of her fathers anger when he
had driven Robert from the house. of
her remorse because she had told her
| father of the quarrel with Robert, and
| of Roberts wrath as he swore never
| to look again at the wife who was
| ruled by an unreasonable father.
| loomed up with startling clearness, as
she medtated.
| Suddenly, with an apprehensive
| SILVER, SIt Slldttltu UP tiit
paper and searched for a little item
| which. earlier in the evening, had re-
ceived but glance. Yes, there 1t
| "Whiteton general store robbed
of $1,000. Robert Smith, a clerk in
the store, very cleverly made away
| with $1,000"
A strange, stern look crfpt into Let
| to-, luc hn Ia u
heard Of Robert he$had been working
| in Whiteton. Before she could put
| the money into the drawer the door
opened and man stepped into the
| ro0m.
"Rohert Merwin," burst from Let
ty'S trembling lips.
II couldn't go away, Lefty" mur'
INJURED the man brokenls. II tried to
hut somehow. couldn't. | don't ex
pect your forgiveness" he went on
as she didn't speak, land | know
shouldn't come: but met little Bob
j bic and" He stopped, for his wife
had hastily picked up the money anf
was silently offering 1t to him.
II was afraid you'd feel that way
! Sel 1 hbl'th
..You thought I'd take this moneyT
said Lefty.
Il hoped. that is. until" he paused
for Lefty was holding before him tn.
newspaper and was pointing to th'
robbery item with an accusing finger
Does that mean anything to your
she asked quetly-too quietly.
| b.. "a without hQ
traying the slightest emotion. II CUES
| deserve that-perhaps more" he re
piled in low voice. He took a banl
Look out of his pocket and opened /
to page which showed that 81 ,OO
had been Withdrawn few days be
fore. The book also showed regula
weekly deposits for over two years
He then took bunch of pay envelope
from another pocket.
Il guess these will tell the story,
he said slowly, because the envelope
check up with the bank book dt
rosits.'
An ashamed blush redeemed Lefty
cheeks as she read "Ridgeton Natior
al Bank" on the book and notice
|
"Why didn't you come To me YOU
self" she faltereI, after an awkwar
pause.
81 had been looking forward TO
for weeks, just waiting for my none
to reach the thousand mark. | Wa
nearly home when | met BOhhie an
learned from him how things ar
tb., af IittIa
ster can really mean great dei
sometimes"
II what did Bobby tell you?' Lefty
II voice had suspicious tremor in it
\! "Iir just repeated the GOSSIP, that
III probably around the village. Evder
Ill ly he heard some of them say that h
III dad. who had been away for n lor
III time, would be 'sneaking back no
III that his mother was successful
II business" The man turned towal
II the door.
H "The old gossips," cried Lefty i
II dignantly. I !idn't krow-Robh
II didn't tell me all. They don't kno
II or understand"
III understand what?" The ms
Ill caught his breath sharply.
Hi Understand that I've always be,
III waiting for you to come back to Be
III b:e-and me-" answered Lefty seft1
III Can you forgive meg' She point
Il. the newspaper item.
"Forgiye?' he repeated, hap
light breaking over his tired face.
Together they stole into the roc
iii | heyond where Ro,,, 10 with one chl