The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-06-22

I haven't had scarcely even time TO
write more than just line to ask how
you were gettin' along, but told Edith
to write, the weeks l couldn't, and
asked Jim, too, and they both said
they would, so | suppose you've kept
up pretty we'll on the home news"
"oh, yes"
"What l think you need" said the
mother, gravefy, sis to llven 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'll stimulate your appetite, too
He was talkin' over his plans for
YOU"
"Plans?" Bibbs, turning OF 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.
don't feel as IL 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 o little gesture Of assent
which seemed to content her; and she
rustled to the door, turning to speak
again after she had opened 1t. "Yor
get a good nap, now, so as to be al
rested up for tonight"
"You-you mean-he-" Bibbs STAN
mered, having begur TO speak toe
quickly. Checking himself, he drew {
, long breath, then asked, quietly, docs
father expect me to come dowDstalrI
this eveningf"
, "well, l think he does" she an
swered. "You see, it's the hous,
, warming as he calls 1t, and he said b,
thinks all our children ought to b,
! around US, as we'll as the old friend
and other folks. It's Just what h
thinks you need-to take an interes
and liven up. You don't feel too bal
> to come down, do your
{ "MotherT
: "well?"
"Take a good look at me-" he said
s "Oh, see herev' she cried wit
!, brusk cheerfulness. you're not 8
bad OF as you think you are, Bibb'
You're on the mend. and 1t won't d
you any harm to please your"
at isn't that" he interrupted. "Hor
estly, I'm only afraid 1t might spo
somebody's appetite. Edith"
81 told you the child was too sens
tve," she interrupted, in turn. "You'r
a plenty good-lookin' enough youn
man for anybody! You look like 20
been through long spell and begun
get well, and that's all there is to 1t.
"All right. I'll come to the part.
II the rest Of you can stand It, can!
"It'll do you good" she returned
rustling into the hall. "Now take
nap, and I'll send one o. the help
wake you in time for you to 81
dressed up before dinner. You go
sleep right away, now, Bibbs"
He woke refreshed, stretched hin
self gingerly-as one might have a cal
against too quick or too long a pu
upon a frayed elastic-and, getting
his feet, went blinking to the windo'
and touched the shade so that it fie
up, letting In pale sunset.
He looked out into the lemon-colore
light and smiled wanly at the nel
| house, as Edith's grandlose phras
Il came to mind, 'the old Vertrees coul
i try mansion" 1t stood in a broa
i lawn which was separated from Il
4 Sherldans' by young hedge; and
4 was a big, square, plain old box Of
| house with a giant salt-cellar atop II
cupola. Paint had been spared for
N long time, and no one could have pl
name to the color of 1t, but in spite
that the place had no look OF belI
u out at heel, and the sward was
neatly trimmed as the Sheridans' ow
le Directly opposite the window Il
Vertrees' lawn had been graded so
lg to make little knoll upon which stoC
* small rustic summer house."
IT was almost on a level with Blbbs wi
re dow and not thirty feet away. Pro
ably the sumner house" was pleasa
At and pretty in summer. But now
of the thin light 1t was desolate, the col
N of dust, and hung with haggard vim
which had lost their leaves.
N Bibbs looked at 1t with grave syr
pathy, probably feeling some kinsh
IN with anything so dismantled; then
turned to a cheval glass beside Il