The Ordway new era., 1916-11-17
y, VII. c.;pe n. and ne e1haled .

bath was manifest, as always. 10 'nt
length Of his coat and the closeness OF
his Saturday might shave: ana his eA'
preston, to match this religious poml'
was more than Sabbatical. but the
most dlsmaying OF his demonstration
was his keeping his hand In ms sinH
Sibyl advanced TO the middle OF tn"
room and halted there. not looking u
him, but down ut her nun. In which, u
| could be seen her hands were nervous
ly moving. Roscoe went to chair III
another part OF the room. Ihere was
n deadly silence.
But Sibyl found a shaky voice. after
nm interval OF gulpinG. though she was
unable to lift her eyes. and the OAR
king lids continued to veil them. She
spoke hurriedly. like an unGifted chi'
rcciting something committed TO mem
ory. but her sincerity was none th'
less evident for that.
"Father Sheridan. you and mother
Sheridan have always been so kind I"
me. and | would hate to have you think
| don't appreciate 1t. from the way
acted. I've come to tell you | an
sorry for the way did that night, aLd
to say know as well as anybody the
way | behaved. and 1t Will lever nap
pen again. because It's been pretty
hard lesson: and when we come back,
some day. | hope you'll see that you've
got daughter-in-Iaw you never nee'
to be ashamed OF again. | want to ask
you to excuse me for the way ! dld.
and | can say haven't any feelings
toward Edith now. but only wish heT
happiness and good In her new lie. l
thank you for all your kindness to me.
and | know ! made poor return FOR
il. but II you can overlook the way
behaved | know | would feel good
deal happier-and ! know Roscoe
would. too. | wish to promise not to
be as foolish In the future, and III"
same error would never occur again To
make us all so unhappy. If you can b"
charitable enough to excuse 1t this
time"
He looked steadily Mt her without
replying. and she stood before him.
never lifting her eyes: motionIess.
save where the moving fur proved the
agitation of her hands within the nun.
"All right" he said. at last.
She looked up then with vast relief.
though there was revelation OF heavy
tears when the eyellds lifted.
'Thank you." she said. There's
something else-about something dif-
ferent-I want to say to you, but
want mother Sheridan TO hear 1t, too"
"She's upstairs In her room." said
Sheridan. Roscoe"
Slbyl interrupted. She had Just seen
Bibbs pass through the hall and begin
to ascend the stairs: and in flash she
perceived the chance for
precisely the effect she wanted.
mo. let me CO." she said. II want
TO speak to her a minute first. any
way"
And she went AWAY quickly. gaining
the top of the stairs in time TO see
Bibbs enter his room and close the
door. Slbyl knew that BIbbs, in his
room. had overheard her quarrel with
Edith In the hall outside: for bitter
Edith, thinking the more to shame her
had subsequently informed her Of the
SIbyl had Just remem-
bered this. and with the recollection
there had flashed the thought-out OF
her own experience-that people are
often much more deeply impressed by
words they overhear than by words
directly addressed to them. SlbyI in
tended to make 1t impossible for Bibbs
not to overhear. She did not hesitate
her heart was not with the old sore,
and she believed wholly In the justice
Of her cause and in the truth Of what
she was going to say. Fate was vIr
tuous at times; it had delivered into
her hands the girl who had affronted
her.
Mrs. Sheridan was in her own room
The approach of Sibyl and Roscoe had
driven her from the library. for she
had miscalculated her husbands mood.
and she felt that II he used his injured
hand as mark Of emphasis again. in
her presence. she would las she though,
or III have a fit right there" She
heard Sibyrs step. and pretended to be
putting a touch to her hair before a
mirror.
u was just coming down." she said
as the door opened.
Yes. he wants you to-" said Sibyl
ITS all right. mother Sheridan. He's
forgiven me-"
Mrs. Sheridan shifted instantly:
tears appeared. She kissed her daugh
ter-in-law's cheek: then. In silence, re-
garded the mirror afresh. wiped her
eyes, and applied powder.
And hope Edith will be happy"
sibyl added. melting more applications
of Mrs. Sheridan's handkerchief and
powder.
Yes. yes" murmured the good WON
an. We mustn't make the worst of
things"
We'll, there was something e,se 7