Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-06-15
CHAPTER xIv--continued.

'No," he returned, gravely. "I'm
not thinking at all; I'm only making
vocal sounds. seem to be the sub
ject of what little meaning they pos
sess, and I'd like to change II, but
don't know how to manage it."
"YOu needn't change the subject on
my account, Mr.. Sheridan" she said.
mot even If you really talked about
yourself" She turned her face toward
him as she spoke, and Bibbs caught
his breath; he was pathetically amazed
by the look she gave him. 1t was
glowing look, warmly friendly and uli-
Outstanding, and, what almost shocked
him. it was an eagerly interested look.
Bibbs was not accustomed to anything
like that.
T-you-I-I'm--" he stammered,
and the faint color in his cheeks grew
almost vivid.
She was still looking at him, and
she saw the strange radiance that
came into his face. There was some
thing about him, too, that explained
how "queer" many people might think
him; but he did not seem 'queer" to
Mary vertrees; he seemed the most
quantity natural person she had ever
met.
He waited, and became coherent.
"You say something now" he said. II
don't even belong In the chorus, and
here l am, trying to sing the funny
mans solo! You"
mo" she interrupted. "I'd rather
play your accompaniment"
"I'll stop and listen to it, then"
Perhaps" she began, but after
pausing thoughtfully she made GEES
ture with her muff, indicating large
brick church which they were ap-
preaching. "Do you see that church,
Mr.. Sheridan?' 94s
II suppose could" he answered in
simple truthfulness, looking at her.
"But don't want to. l have feel
ing It's where. you're going, and where
I'll be sent back" Nh
She shook her head In CHEEKY mega
ton. mot unless you want to be.
Would you like to come with meT
f'Why-why-yes," he said. "Any-
wherew And again 1t was apparent
that he spoke In simple truthfulness.
Then come-if you care for organ
music. The organist is an old friend
of mine. and sometimes he plays for
me. He's dear old man. That's he.
waiting in the doorway. He looks
like Beethoven, doesn't he? I think he
knows that, perhaps, and enjoys it
little. l hope So"
"Yes," said Bibbs, as they reached
the church steps. II think Beethoven
would like 1t, too. 1t must be pleasant
to look like other people,"
II haven't kept your" Mary said to
the organist. 'This Is Mr. Sheridan,
Doctor Kraft. He has come to listen
with me-"
The organist looked bluntly sur
prised. .'Iss that SOP he exclaimed.
''He ISIS musician himself, of course"
NO." said Bibbs, as the three en-
tered the church together. I'll played
,the-I tried to play" Fortunately he
checked himself; he had been about to
offer the information that he had failed
to master the jews harp in his boy
hood. ''No, Pm not musician" he
contented himself with saying.
"Whati" Doctor Kraft's surprise In
creased. young man, you are fortu-
snate! play for Miss vertrees; she
comes always alone. You are the first.
You are the first one everp'
They had reached the head of the
central aisle, and as the organist fin
ished speaking ;Bibbs stopped short
turning to look at Mary vertrees in a
.dazed way that was not of her perceiv-
ing; for. though she stopped as he did
her gaze followed the organist, who
was walking away from them toward
the front Of the church, shaking his
white Beethovian name roguishly.
"It's false pretenses on my part"
Bibbs said. you mean to be kind to
the sick. but I'm not an invalid any
more. I'm so well I'm going back to
work in a few days. I'd better leave
before he begins to play, hadn't ~
mo" said Mary, beginning to walk
forward. "Not unless you don't like
great music"