Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1916-04-13

mother, gravely, "is to liven up little
and take an interest in things. That's
what papa was sayin' this morning,
after we got your telegram; and that's
What'Il stimulate your appetite, too
He was talkin' over his plans for
you
"Plans?" Bibbs, turning on his side,
shielded his eyes from the light with
his hand, so that he might see her bet
ter. 'What-" He paused. what
plans is he making for me, mother?"
She turned away, going back to the
window to draw down the shade.
"Well, you better talk it over with
him." she said, with perceptible nerv-
BUSINESS. He better tell you himself.
l don't feel as If I had any call, eX-
actly, to go into it; and you better get
to sleep now, anyway" She came and
stood by the bedside once more. But
you must remember Bibbs, whatever
papa does is for the best He loves his
children and wants to do what's right
by all of 'em-and you'll always find
he's right in the end
He made a little gesture of assent,
which seemed to content her; and she
rustled to the door, turning to speak
again after she had opened it. you
get good nap, now, SO as to be all
rested up for tonight"
''YOu-yOu mean-he-" Bibbs STAN
mered, having begun to speak too
quickly Checking himself. he drew a
long breath, then asked, quietly, Does
father expect me to come downstairs
this EVENING""
"Well, I think he does" she an
swered. 'YOu see, it's the house
warming,' as he calls it, and he said he
thinks all Our children ought to be
around us, as we'll as the old friends
and other folks. It's just what he
thinks you need-to take an interest
and liven UP. You don't feel too bad
to come down, do you?"
"Mother?"
"Well?"
"Take a good look at me-" he said.
ooh, see herev' she cried with
brusk cheerfulness. you're not SO
bad off as you think you are, Bibbs.
You're on the mend, and it won't do
you any harm to please your"
1T isn't that" he interrupted. Hon
estly, I'm only afraid it might spoil
somebody's appetite Edith"
''I told you the child was too sensi-
tive" she interrupted, in turn. you're
a plenty good-lookin' enough young
man for anybody. You look like you
been through long spell and begun to
get well, and that's all there is to it,"
"Al right I'll come to the party.
II the rest Of you can stand it, camp
''Itll do you good" she returned,
rustling into the hall. "Now take a
nap, and I'll send one O. the help to
wake you in time for you to get
dressed up before dinner. You go to
sleep right away, now, Bibbs"
He woke refreshed, stretched him
self gingerly-as one might have care
against too quick or too long a pull
upon a frayed elastic-and, getting to
his feet went blinking to the window
and touched the shade so that it flew
up, letting in pale sunset.
He looked out into the lemon-colored
light and smiled wanly at the next
house, as Ediths grandiose phrase
came to mind, 1.-The old Vertrees cOun-
try mansion" 1t stood III a broad
lawn which was separated from the
Sheridans' by a young hedge; and it
was big, square, plain old box of a
house with giant salt-cellar atop for
a cupola. Paint had been spared for a
long time, and no one could have put
a name to the color of it, but in spite Of
that the place had no look of being
out at heel, and the sward was as
neatly trimmed as the Sheridans' own.
Directly opposite the window the
Vertrees' lawn had been graded so as