Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-09-28

ftnually upon her husband, was that
OF person engaged in prayer. Edith
was pale and intent. Roscoe looked
Ill; sibyl looked Ill, and Sheridan
looked both Ill and explosive. Bibbs
had more color than any Of these, and
there was a strange brightness, Ike a
Light, upon his face. It was curious
to see anything so happy In the tense
gloom Of that household.
Edith ate little. She never once
looked at Sibyl, though Sibyl now and
then gave her quick glance, heavily
charged, and then looked away. Ros-
coe ate nothing. He did not once look
at his father, though his father gazed
heavily at him most Of the time. And
between Edith and Sibyl, and between
Roscoe and his father, some bitter
wireless communication seemed con-
ttnually TO be taking place throughout
the long silences prevailing during this
enltvening ceremony of Sabbath refec-
ton.
Didn't you go TO cnurcn this MORN
ing, BibbsY' his mother asked, In the
EFFORT to break up one OF those CHASTITY
intervals.
II think So" he answered, as from
q roseate trance.
"You think so! Don't you know?"
"Oh, yes. Yes, / went to church,
what was the sermon aboutY'
What, motherP'
Cant you hear meY she cried. ST
asked you what the sermon was
about"
He reused himself "I think 1t was
about" He frowned, seeming to con-
centrate his will to recollect. 81 think
it was about something In the Bible"
White jacket George was glad of an
opportunity to leave the room and lean
upon Mist JacksOn's shoulder in the
pantry. He don't know they was
any suhmonw he concluded, having
narrated the dining-room dialogue.
''Alf he know is he was with at lady
lives mex d3'w George was right.
did you go to church all by your
self, BibbsT Sibyl asked
NO." be answered. "No, didn't go
alone"
an upward twist, as OF hooking In
quiry, and followed 1t by another, ex-
pressiye OF hilarious comprehension.
"Oh!"
Bibbs looked at her studiously, but
she spoke no further. And that com
pleted the conversation at the lugu-
bEtOus feast.
Coffee came finally, was disposed
OF quickly, and the party dispersed to
other parts OF the house. Blbbs fol
lowed his father and Roscoe into the
library, but was not well received.
You go and listen to the phono-
graph with the women-folks," Sheri-
dan commanded.
Bibbs retreated. Sometimes you do
seen to be a hard sort OF manw he
said.
However, he went obediently into
the gilt-and- brocade room to which his
mother and his sister and his sister
in-law had helplessly withdrawn, ac-
cording to their Sabbatical custom
Mrs. Sheridan was looking over q col
LecTIon or records consisting eYciu-
sively OF Caruso and ragtime. She
selected one OF the latter, remarking
that she thought 1t right pretty" and
followed 1t with one OF the former and
the same remark.
as the second reached its conclusion,
George appeared In the broad door
way, but he did not speak Instead,
he favored Edith with a benevolent
smile, and she Immediately left the
room, George disappearing after her
in the hall with an air of successful
diplomacy. He made 1t perfectly clear
that Edith had given him secret in
structions and that 1t had been his
pride and pleasure to fulfill them to
the letter.
Sibyl stifTened In her chair; her lips
parted, and she watched with curious
eyes the vanishing back of the white
Jacket
What's thatT' she asked, In a low
voice. but sharply.
Here's another right pretty record"
said Mrs. Sheridan, affecting-with
patent nervousness-not to hear And
she Embossed the music.
SibYl bit her lip and began to tap
her chin with the brooch After little
while she turned TO Bibbs, who reposed
at half length In a gold chair, with his
eyea closed.
Where did Edith goF' she asked,
CAUTIOUSLY.
Edith he repeated, opening his
eyes blankly. ''Is she gonef'
Sibyl got up and stood in the door
way. She leaned against the casing
still tapping her chin with the brooch
Her eyes were dilating; she was sud
denly Mt high tension, and her express
sion had become one OF sharp excite
ment. She listened intently.
When the record was spun out she
could hear Sheridan rumbling In the
library, during the ensuing silence
and Roscoe's voice, Querulous and
husky: 81 won't say anything at all.
L tell you, you might just as well let
me- alone!'
But there were other sounds: a rus
ting and murmur, whispering, low,
protesting eadenees in male voice.
And as Mrs. Sheridan started another
record, q sudden, vital resolve leaped
like dre In the eyes OF Sibyl. She
walked down the hall and straight into
the smoking room.
Lamhorn and Edith both sprang to