The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-09-16

Ills 4CllCA 9OO HAOlC NY IVY
He ext tended the letter to her solemnly.
In his left hand. and she took it gently
from him. at was in his mail. after
he was hurt. You knew he never got
it, 1 expect"
"Yes.'' she said. in a low voice.
He sighed. I'm glad he didn't
Not" he added. quickly-'not but what
you did just right to send it. You did.
You couldn't acted any other way
when it came right down to it. There
amt any blame comm to yOu-you
were abOvebOard all through"
Mary said, THANK you" almost in
a whisper, and with her head bowed
low.
You'll have to excuse me for readin'
it. / had to take charge of all his
mail and everything: didn't know
the handwritin', and l read it all-once
I got started"
I'm glad you did"
''WelT'-he leaned forward as If
to rise-"I guess that's about all.
just thought you ought to have it"
'"Thank you for bringing it,
He looked at her hopefully, as if
he thought and wished that she might
have something more to say. But she
seemed not to be aware of this glance
and sat with her eyes fixed sorrowfulIy
upon the floor.
swell. l expect l better be gettin'
back to the Office" he said. rising des-
perately. 81 told told my partner
I'd be back at two O'Clock. and guess
he'll think I'm a poor business man
ff io fabn hoIlirH I Of
to walk the chalk mighty straight
line these days-with that fellow keep
in' tabs on men'
Mary rose with him. eve always
heard you were the hard driver"
He guffawed derisively. me? I'm
nothin' to that partner O. mine. You
couldn't guess to save your life how
ne keeps after me to hold up my end
% the job. l shouldn't be surprised
he'd give me the grand bounce some
day, and run the whole circus himself.
You know how he is-once he goes at
a thing
NO she smiled ''1 didn't know
you had partner. I'd always heard
He laughed, looking away from her.
tits just my way O. speakin' O. that
boy o. mine. Bibbs."
He stood then, expectant staring out
into the hall with an air of careless
geniality He felt that she certainly
must say at least, How is Bibbs?" but
she said nothing at ALL though he wait
ed until the silence became embarrass
ing.
well. / guess 1 better be gettin'
down there" he said, at last HE
might worry
"Goodby-and thank you" said Mary
For what?''
For the letter."
"Oh, y he said. blankly. you're
welcome. Goodby."
Mary put out her hand. "Goodby.
You'll have to excuse my left hand.
he said. Il had little accident to tbs
other one"
She gave plying cry as she saw
''Oh. poor Mr.. Sheridan
''Nothin' at all! Dictate everythin.
nowadays. anyhow" He laughe.
jovialIy did anybody tell you how
it happened?"
81 heard you hurt your hand. bu
no-not just how
ut was this way" he began, ant
both. as if unconsciously. sat dow
again. You may not know it, but
used to worry a good deal about tn
youngest o. my bOys-the one tina
used to come to see you sometimes
after Jim-that is, l mean Bibbs. He
the one spoke of as my partner: an
the truth is that's what it's just abou
goin' to amount to. one O. these days
If his health holds out Well, sou re
member. I expect, / had him on
machine over at a plant o. mine; an
sometimes I'd kind O. sneak in Their
and see how he was gettin' alone
Take a doctor with me sometimes. be
cause Bibbs never was so robust, yo
might say. Ole Doc Gurney-I CUES
maybe you know him? Tall. thin man
acts sleepy"
Yes
We'll. one day I an ole Doe GU
ney, we were in there, and / under
took to show Bibbs how to run hi
machine. He told me to look out, bU
] wouldn't listen. and didn't loo
out-and that's how | got my han
hurt. tryin' to show Bibbs to do som,
thing he knew how to do and l didn'
Made me so mad just wouldn't eve
admit TO myself it was hurt-and ;
by and by. ole Doc Quincy had to tai
kind o. radical measures with me. He
right good doctor, too. Don't 20
think so. Miss Vertrees?"
"Yes."
"Yes, he is sor' Sheridan now ha
the air of a rambling talker and gosst
with ali day on his hands. Take nj
an Kibhs' case. I was talkin' ab0l