The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1922-10-12
BOBBYS "GIRL"
BY MALCOLM BROWN

Copyright, 1922 Western Newspaper Union.
The little, fashionably dressed wom-
an with the lorgnette looked hopeless
ly at the long line of push-buttons and
letter-boxes on either side of the door
before she found the name. At last,
with a 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
ly. 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 Farrells mother, for,
except for the added years and en-
bonpoint, the features were almost
identical. Mrs. Van Leyden looked at
shuddered involuntarily.
Mamma !" said Miss Farrell.
"Oh, all right" said the stout WON
an, and taking the paper which she
had been reading, withdrew into an
inner room.
what can do for you, Mrs."
"Van Leyden," said the visitor.
1ipbt of dina m mo int
Miss FarrelPs eyes.
mot Bobby Van Leyden's mother?"
she asked, apparently much amused
Robert Van Leyden is my son."
answered the other quietly.
"Then I guess l know what you've
come for" retorted Miss Farrell. "Sit
down, won't you? Well, stand If you
prefer. You have heard that Bobbys
mashed on me AMI want to stop 1t
before it gets to the wedding bells?
Well, don't trouble about that"
II have no fear of that" said the
visitor.
"Some people," said Miss Farrell,
think that if a woman Is 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 then?" inquired
the visitor, more gently
ITO the best man In the world" an
swered Miss Farrell, twirling a soil
taire upon her finger. "And for Joe's
sake-and perhaps for Bobby's girl
though she'd be well rid of him, In
my opinion-Tll do what l can"
THAT'S good of YOU"
"Will your husband take you to
the Imperial tomorrow night at eleven |
If you ask him?" inquired the actress.
"Of course he would. But what are
you going to do?'
Fix Master Bobby. viii you be
there"
81 WILL" answered Mrs. Van Ley
den.
1t was In frenzy of fear and agi- |
tatlon that Mrs Van Leyden took her |
place opposite her husband at the I'm |
perial supper table the next evening. |
Suddenly she started. Bobby was
coming in
But was this Bobby, who took a
seat at the supper tahe-this i'm
maculately attired young man who
sat down at the farthest table, half |
hidden under the palms? And this
hang-dog look in his eyes--she had
never seen that before. And the
woman with him!
A stout middle-aged woman of
forty-fve or so, with huge red hat
from which depended five pink os-
trich plumes, yellow evening gown
trimmed with violet bows, pair Of
short, black gloves a vapid smile,
and-an umbrella
1t was Miss Farrell's mother.
And suddenly she understood
SAY, Madge, l don't know what
your game was. but 1t was the dullest
evening ever spent" complained
Mrs. Farrell as she got home, weary
and cross, at one o'clock. 81 fooled
that young fellow all rlght-anybody
could fool him. lie thought | was
YOU all along. But what's the gamer
"Oh, just part of the weeks work,
ma," answered her daughter wearily.