The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-07-05
BOBBY
By JANE GORDON
20. 1879. we.tern Newspaper union.)

taken name her parents. had given her,
for gayety of any kind was rarely
In the girls life.
Hers the constant problem Of
making ends meet in the struggle for
existence. But in her happy heart,
for 1t was happy heart, Gay carried
secret-the secret of great am
bition for which no sacrifice could be
too much. In order to bring about
this desired achievement Gay taught
In small town school.
Every week Gay put aside part of
her salary toward the trip abroad.
which should, some day, lead to the
road Of fame.
In the morning when she climbed
the crooked hill to the schoolhouse
Bobby would follow. He liked to
hide behind the bushes to jump out
at her surprisingly. And when Gay
returned in the afternoon-he seemed
to know the hour of her coming and
wait in the narrow hallway to greet
her. But when the bell of the white
church tolled in the valley Gay could
not trust her pet to follow on to the
house of worship. Bobby was piously
inclined or he had not forgotten a
soft-cushioned seat whereon he had
mapped, after seeking his adored one.
Certain 1t was that though the black
cat might be sent on his homeward
way each morning, he could not be
forced back on the Sabbath. So Gay
locked him for safe keeping in the
sunny room.
butcher. boarded against the cats
coming choice bits of meat; the mill
liner kept for him saucer of cream.
When Gay at her piano practiced
those sonatas which were one day to
prove her talent. Bobby would jump
up to walk boldly across the white
keys. And when his mistress would
ruthlesly push him aside, that was
the beginning of game.
On a certain morning she arose
early to tint the old white organdie
delicate pink, in preparation for the
event of the evening. 1t was through
his friendship for the school princi-
pal that the great musician was COM
ing to Lindenville to give recital in
the church. Gay had confded, in an
ticipation. her future ambition to the
school principal that again he might
use his influence in persuading this
friend Of his college days to pass
judgment on her possible musical
promise.
The principal, sharing her secret,
Intended to ask Grant Sinclair to
give the young teacher hearing. A
grand piano had been placed on the
church platform. Gay went, in joyous
auditorium
Grant, pausing in his opening intro
duction, looked over the house for his
inspiration. 1t was his custom to seek
out a sympathetic listener. and in
manner play to that person. Tonight
his gaze fell upon Gays uplifted rapt
face. He smiled as he turned back to
the piano. Grant Sinclair began to
play a spring song.
He had forgotten himself in the
rendering, his audience listening
breathlessly, then, rudely, it came to
himrlow, unmistakable laughter. The
unaccountable thing continued.
Unconsciously, in his hurt indigna-
ton, he looked down at the girl. The
blue eyes of Gay were wide with hor-
ror. Everyone knew Bobby and
everyone must smile. She had for
| gotten that he would follow to church,
and now she knew what was going
to happen. The black cat, walking
leisurely about the platform, would
soon spring to the piano keys-which
is exactly what Bobby did. The spring
song was rudely broken. And when
the affronted musician attempted to
push the cat from before him, Bobby.
with all the enjoyment of his favorite
game, was swiftly back across the
keys.
with breathless rush, Gay was
upon the platform, the cat in her
arms
"Sorry-sorry-" she murmured
confusedly, and hurried out through
| the church door.
Later, at the home of the school
principal, Grant Sinclair was called to
the telephone. Gay, in the telephone
booth of the corner drug store, re-
peated her abject regret. The mu-
sician's voice came back. cheerfully
reassuring. you are to give me a
hearing in the church tomorrow at
three" he told his troubled listener.
Your principal has been telling me
about you"
And when, the next day, Gay went
difldently toward him down the
church aisle. the man whose skill was
known and heralded. came forward
to meet her. And when she had
played for him he was kind. For he
knew that though Gay could play, the
master-touch would never be hers. So,
to her, Grant Sinclair said:
go on, as you are doing. Teach
your school, play when you will.
will send you music, and will step
from time to time, when I am near,
to mark your progress"
And It was not many months after