Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1930-03-01


Bob Phillips was an old friend
Fer years my husband had been a
Pullman Porter on the New York
Central We had lived for the first
four wears of our marriage IN Albany.
~Then a new run had forced us TO
move to New York. Now, don't like
big cities; I prefer the wider spaces
of the countryside, but wife must
stick to her husband.
Bob Phillips came that afternoon.
/ had expected just some ordinary
chap but this tall, brown, stately and
handsome man, probably in his mid
die thirties greatly impressed me.
He was smartly but not flashily
dressed. He had deep, burning eyes,
high forehead. firm chin, a gliding
tread and strong handclaSp. He
struck me as being a little over-polite
as he held my hand over-long and
doomed the conventional greeting
with a heavy voice. put him down
as nice fellow despite a little touch
of foreboding
well. well, we'll This certainly Is
q rare treat, Jack" Toared Bob at
dinner that evening Never thought
I'd ever see you again or put my
feet under your table. BY golly, old
chap, il certainly is a treat. Certainly
is Member when we used to play
ball down the block and break old
Widow Smiths windows? Saaaay! did
MT we have peck o. fun when we
were kids?"
Jack agreed He was happy as a
child and was glad I had MADE no
objection to Bob'S coming. After all,
the new roomer appeared to be a
gentleman and one with plenty OF
money. It is good to have such
friends.
Next morning Jack left on his run
to Chicago. Don't stea. my wife,
Bob" he called back jokingly as he
went out Of the apartment. Bob
laughed good naturedly. THAT boys a
hot sketch" he exclaimed. smiled
weakly not liking such testing.
1t was nice to have someone OF
culture and intellect to talk to while
Jack was away. learned from Bob
in our many talks during the first
week of his STAY with us that he had
travelled extensively In Europe ana
South America. He discussed learn
edly and easily subjects of which ]
knew next to nothing. 1t was quite
an education to be in his company.
And vet I was glad when Jack
would come off his run. couldn't
get over an uneasy feeling about be-
ing in the house with Bob. He ap-
peared q perfect gentleman but he
was altogether too perfect to be true.
I seemed to detect menacing note
under his suavity; dangerous hre,
at times, in his searching eyes. After
g whole month had passed, however,
nv uneasiness gradually diSSipated.
Still wondered why Bob didn't work
and yet managed to have money.
"Say, Marie" asked Jack one night
at the dinner table when Bob had
stepped out to the corner for some
cigarettes, "any time you want to go
to any of these movies or dances and
I'm not at home, you can 60 with
Bob. No use sitting home fer want
of an escort. Bob is regular fellow
and the soul of discretion. I won't
mind it at all. I'll be glad to have you
do it. You're too young to be sitting
at home like an old woman"
I didn't like the idea too much.
Y,u see I was little scared OF Bob
Phillips. I couldn't explain why and
I didn't even let Jack know how l
felt for fear he'd think me a fool.
ia raCner go out VIII you. my ueA
I said, but If there's anything
especially want to see while you're
out of town, I'll have Mr.. Phillips
take me-"
Bob Philips took me to the Junior
Society ball at the Renaissance Ca
sine. 1t was a formal affair. We were
both In evening clothes and I'll say
we made fine looking couple. Bob's
clothes seemed to be moulded around
his slender. muscular form. He danced
divinely, except for holding me lit
tie too closely, and gave me every
attention. Women looked at me with
envy. couldn't help but feel the
woman's natural pride. And yet was
careful not to be too natural with
this man with the hypnotic eyes.
am so passionate and romantic. that /
find it prudent to watch myself.
We became more friendly after
that. Bob would laugh and joke about
his different sweethearts in various
parts of the world. unconsciously
became impressed with his manliness
and good fellowship. I dropped some