The Bozeman courier., 1926-06-25

lied older brother. Yet how well Bobby /
knew his weaknesses!
Bobby shook his head. "On my way
now, He's waiting for me over at the lot" /
"I'u drive you over" said Elise, nod Il
ding at the uniformed japanese chauf- /
feur.
Elise had known Bobby Ross a long
time. Once in the early days, she had /
known him very well indeed. They had /
always been friends. In her mind now
she was debating rapidly. Bobby was q 4
funny kid, under all his fOOlishness.
We'll, great news" she said, lighting /
a cigaret from the electric torch. There's |
going to be an heir in the O'Brien family /
Yep, Marguerite is expecting a visit from
Then, carelessly, she remarked: "Have
you seen PeaEut2 ! had an idea you were
really more gone on Peanut than you let
anybody know, Bobby"
Her eyes rested on his face And when
she saw his forehead darken and his eyes
light she went on slowly with the tale she
had decided to tell.
When the car stopped at the studio
young man with set face and white lips
shot from it and dashed through the sacred
gate and into the boss, sacred office with
him.
when he came out, half an hour later,
Bobby Ross was scarlet instead Of white
and he had no job.
Peanut was trying to write a letter. I'll
was not easy. Mother would understand.
But there had been more than her share
Of suffering already: Her Ter, first born son
unknown grave. And now this-for her
"But she loves me-" said Peanut, fierce
/ ly to herself. "She loves me. I would
| understand, If It was my little baby. But
| GOd-bleSse don't let it be a grill"
For a sinner, Peanut had rather a fam
Il iliar way Of talking to God, like that.
] She had written, "Ma petite Mere" a
good many times and could get no farther
when the door opened.
Peanut was still an instant, the white,
drawn look Of her face blossoming into
Then she rushed to him. Bobby, my
friend, my friend" she cried, and she
stood on tiptOe to kiss him on both cheeks,
| shook his hands, both Of them, and gazed
! up into his face, laughing.
i Bobby, how splendid you loOkw she
cried throwing up her hands and letting
Il them nutter down like white butterflies
II on his shoulders. you are so nice and
brown and healthy. And yOu smell Of the
sun. You have had a good timer"
| Bobby sat down on the edge OF the bed.
ment was evident by the way he knocked
his unlighted cigaret against the back Of
4 his hand, over and over again. Peanut
retreated once more to the table.
"Im all right" he said, "but I had an
awful time finding you. You don't look so
good Peanut"
The drawn look had come back. There
was no mischief in Peanut now, and not
much sparkle
"Wen, maybe not quite so good" she
said, putting her head on one side with the
old familiar gesture, mot quite. But soon
IL shall be all right again. I go up-I
; 90 down. That is life. ! am glad yOa
come back"
Ped. This was part Of the punishment,
Peanut" said Bobby Ross, 81 think
you're the finest girl I ever knew"
] It was the last thing she had expected,
that, and she put her hands up over her
= heart. Don't you kid me, Bobby Ross, "
D she said, smiling at him. 81 know how
& you do always kidding me-"
"I'm not kidding you, said the tan
q young man, trying to sit easily on the
low bed. ct mean It. o, don't say you're
2 perfect. Everybody makes mistakes. I've
Q even made 'em myself. The worst one
' made was not marrying you before Went
+ Peanut gasDed.
a "DO you think If we sneaked away now
: and got married we could make folks thinl
h we were hitched before I went?" asked
? Bobby Ross, very busy with new cigaret
Z tapping it on the back Of his hand anC
} making a great fuss over lighting 1t, anC
then Duffing enormous clouds Of smoke.
f Bobby EOss," Peanut sat looking al
: him, one hand creeping out gently a
i though she wanted to touch his shoes will
= the tips Of her fingers, ''yOu-WOuld dC
q "Do what?" said Bobby Ross Grossly
~ "YOu know I've always had an aWfu
N crush on you, Peanut. And God knows
4 you poor little frog you sure need some
body to look after you. Go get your dud
y and Wen hike down to Santa Ana or some
:, where"
. But before she went to get her blacl
m velvet tam and her little black coat, Pea
"a nut leaned down ana kissed the sheet o
\ Taper lying on the table.
70 That letter to ma petite mere" was no
20 going to be so hard to write after all.
IN Copyright 1925: by Adela st. JOhns)