The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-08-26
EDITH LAMHORN
CHAPTER XVI.

Bibbs, convinced that the mere
glimpse of him, just then, would prove
nothing less than insufferable for his
father, was about to make his escape
into the goId-and-brocade room when
he heard Sheridan vociferously de-
handing his presence.
''Ten him to come in here! He's out
there. 1 heard George just let him in.
Now you'll seer And tear-stained
Mrs. Sheridan, looking out into the
hall. beckoned to her son.
Bfbbs went as far as the doorway
Quincy sat winding a strip Of white
cotton, his black bag open upon a
chair near by; and Sheridan was strid-
ing up and down, his hand so heavily
wrapped in fresh bandages that he
seemed to be wearing a small boxing
glove. His eyes were bloodshot; his
forehead was heavily believed; one
side OF his collar had broken loose.
and there were blood stains upon his
right cuff.
There's our little sunshineT' he
cried, as Bibbs appeared. There's the
hope O. the family-my lifelong pride
and joy! I want"
IO0A A-elAO IL SAAAS1f SHAA1
Quincy, sharply.
Sheridan turned upon him, uttering
a sound like a howl. For Gods sake,
sing another tuner he cried. You
said you came as a doctor but stay
as friend and in that capacity you
undertake to sit up and criticize me"
''Oh. talk sense said the doctor.
and yawned Intentionally. What do
you want BibbS TO say?"
'eYou were sittin' up there tellin' me
1 got ystericaF-'hysterica oh Lordi
You sat up there and told me 1 got
'hystericaP over nothin', You sat up
there tellin' me l didn't have as heavy
burdens as many another man you
knew. 1 just want you to hear this.
Now Hsten!" He swung toward the
quiet figure waiting in the doorway.
''Bibbs' will you come down town with
you with two vice-presidencies, a di-
rectorship, stock and salaries? l ask
you"
mo, father" said Bibbs. gently.
Sheridan looked at Quincy and then
faced his son once more.
"And I'd like the doctor to hear:
What IL you do if l decide you're too
high-priced a workin- man either to
live in my house Or work in my shop?''
Find other work. said Bibbs.
There! You hear him for yourseIfr.
Sheridan cried. "You hear what
Keep your hand IN that sling Yes,
hear him."
Sheridan leaned over Quincy and
shouted. in a voice that cracked and
broke. piping into falsetto: He thinks
! of bein' a plumber He wants to be a
plumber so he can thinkr'
He fell back step, wiping his fore
head with the back of his left hand
'.ThereI That's my son! That's the
only son got now! That's my chance
to live" he cried. with a bitterness
that seemed to leave ashes in his
throat. That's my one chance 20
live-that thing you see in the door
way yonderP'
Doctor Quincy thoughtfuIly regard
ed the bandage strip he had been
winding. and tossed it into the open
bag. whats the matter with giving
Bibbs a chance to Iive?'' he said. cool
Iy. ST would If 1 were you You've
/ ldu lHO l1Gl went 4nlO D0GAACSS.
Sheridan's mouth moved grotesqueIy
before he could speak. Joe Quincy"
he said, when he could command him
self so far, "are you accusin' me of
the responsibility for the death Of my
son JamesT
ST accuse you OF nothing" said the
doctor. ''But just once Ia like to have
/ it out with you on the question Of
Bfbbs-and while he's here, too" he
/ got up, walked tc the FIRE, and stood
warming his hands behind his back
and smiling. Look here, old fellow,
let's be reasonable" he said you
were bound Bibbs should 90 to the
shop again. and he did go and he's
made good there. Now. see: Isn'i
that enough Can't you let hia On
now5 Re wants to sTrftes aad how d
you kneW Eaas he ceuidn't do & e yos