The Glenwood post., 1923-01-18
"MR. BOB"
BY GEORGIA F. HARRIS

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, II met a 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, boyl" she exclaimed,
her pretty face showing her bewilder-
ment, tell mother everything that
happened"
Bobbie had now regained his
breath. II was pickin' daisies over in
Jenkins field, and when l 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 1 told him my dad amt
been round here for ever so long"
"What did he say when he gave you
the money!" interrupted Mrs. Merwin,
as she nervously fingered the large
roll of bills.
"He just told me to give 1t 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-.
velope right home to you"
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 Merwln, 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 meditated.
Suddenly, with an apprehensive
shiver, she snatched up the evening
paper and searched for a little Item
which, earlier in the evening, had re-
ceived but a glance. Yes, there 1t
was-"Whiteton general store robbed
of $1,000. Robert Smith, clerk In
the store, very cleverly made away
with. 81, 900"
A strange stern look crept into Let
ty Merwin's eyes. When last she had
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
room.
"Robert Merwin!" burst from Let
ty's trembling lips.
81 couldn't go away, Lefty" muir
INJURED the man brokenl,. II tried to.
but somehow, 1 couldn't. 1 don't ex-
pect your forgiveness" he went on,
as she didn't speak, land I know I
shouldn't come but ! met little Bob
bic and" he stopped, for his wife
had hastily picked up the money and
was silently offering 1t to him.
81 was afraid you'd feel that way
yet | hoped"
you thought I'd take this money!"
said Lefty.
~ hoped, that is. until-"h paused,
for Lefty was holding before him the
newspaper and was pointing to the
robbery item with an accusing finger
docs that mean anything to your"
she asked quietly-too quietly.
The man read the item without be-
traying the slightest emotion. 'T guess
l deserve that-perhaps more" he re-
piled in low voice. He took a bank
book out of his pocket and opened 1t
to page which showed that $1,000
had been withdrawn a few days be-
fore. The book also showed regular
weekly deposits for over two years.
He then took bunch of pay envelopes
from another pocket.
81 guess these will tell the story"
he said slowly, because the envelopes
check up with the bank book de-
posits.'
An ashamed blush redeemed Letty's
cheeks as she read "Ridgeton Nation
al Bank" on the book and noticed
single dollar in the balance column.
"Why didn't you come to me your
self?" she faltered after an awkward
pause.
81 had been looking forward to 1t
to reach the thousand mark. l was
nearly home when l met Bobbie and
learned from him how things are,
Funny-the prattllng of little young
ster can really mean great deal
sometimes"
What did Bobby tell your Letty's
voice had suspicious tremor in It.
HE just repeated the gossip that is
probably around the village. Evident,
ly he heard some of them say that his
dad, who had been away for a long
time, would be 'sneaking back now
that his mother was successful in
business The man turned toward
the door.
"The old gossips," cried Lefty In
dignantly. II didn't know-Bobbie
didn't tell me all. They don't know
or understand"
Understand What7n Tho man