Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-06-08
The Turmoil
BOOTH HARRINGTON
(oopyright igi5, By Harper . Brothersl

were III Diack, ana MIS-. Snerluan crleu
q little. now and then. but no other
external difference was to be seen.
Bibbs went for his drive, and his
mother went with him, as she some
times did when the weather was pleas
ant. Altogether, the usualness of
things was rather startling to Bibbs
During the drive Mrs. Sheridan
talked fragmentarily of Jim's child
hood. But you wouldn't remember
that" she said, after narrating an cpl
sode. 'You were too little. He was
always good boy, just like that. And
he'd save whatever papa gave him.
and put 1t In the bank. l reckon it'll
just about kill your father to put some
body in his place as president of the
Realty company. Bibbs. | know he
can't move Roscoe over; he told me
last week he'd already put as much on
Roscoe as any one man could handle
and not go crazy. oh, it's pity"
She stopped to wipe her eyes. ITS a
pity you didn't run more with Jim.
Bibbs, and kind o. pick up his ways.
Think what it'd meant to papa now,
You never did run with either Roscoe
or Jim any, even before you got sick.
OF course you were younger; but 1t
always did seem queer-and you three
bein' brothers like that. I don't be-
lleve ever saw you and Jim sit down
together for good talk In my life."
Mother. I've been away so long"
Blbbs returned, gently. "And since
came home L He was busy, you see,
and / hadn't much to say about the
things that interested him. because |
don't know much about them"
SITS pity! Oh, it's pityw she
moaned. "And you'll have to learn to
know about 'em now, Bibbs.
haven't said much to you, because
felt 1t was all between your father and
you, but I honestly do believe it will
just kill him If he has to have any
more trouble on top of all this! You
mustn't let him, Bibbs-you mustn't!
You don't know how he's grieved over
you, and now he can't stand any more
he just can't! Whatever he says for
you to do, you do 1t, Bibbs, you do it!
want you to promise me you will"
81 would il l could" he said, sor-
rowfully.
"No, no! Why can't your she
cried, clutching his arm. "He wants
you to go back to the machine shop
and all on earth he asks is for you to
go back In cheerful spirit. so 1t won't
hurt you! That's all he asks. Look,
Bibbs. we're gettin' back near home.
but before we get there want you to
promise me that you'll do what he
asks you to. Promise mev
In her earnestness she cleared away
her black veil that she might see him
better, and 1t blew out on the smoky
wind. He readjusted it for her before
he spoke.
'I'll go back in as cheerful a spirit
as l can, mother" he said.
"Therer' she exclaimed, satisfied.
'That's good boy! That's all / want
ed you to say"
Don't give me any credit" he said,
ruefully. There isn't anything else
for me to do"
"No, don't begin talkin' that wayr'
"No, no." he soothed her. "We'll
have to begin to make the spirit a
cheerful one. We may" They were
turning into their own driveway as he
spoke, and he glanced at the old house
next door. Mary vertrees was visible
In the twilight, standing upon the front
steps, bareheaded, the door open be-
hind her. She bowed gravely.
1--WE may'-whatT" asked Mrs.
Sheridan, with slight Impotence.
what Is 1t motherf"
"Of all the queer boys!" she cried.
"You always were. Always! You
haven't forgot what you just promised
me, have your
"No," he answered, as the car
stopped. ''No, the spirit will be as
cheerful as the flesh will let it, mother
1t won't do to behave like
His voice was low, and In her move
ment to descend from the car she
failed to hear his final words.
Behave like who, Bibbs?"
Nothing"
But she was fretful In her grief
you said 1t wouldn't do to behave like
somebody. Behave like whoY
at was just nonsense" he explained.
turning to go in. San obscure person
I don't think much of lately"
Behave like who?" she repeated,
and upon his yielding to her petulant
insistence, she made up her mind that
the only thing to do was to tell DIR.
Quincy about 1t.
Like Bildad the shuhite~ was what
Bibbs said.
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CHAPTER XIII.