The Elk Mountain pilot., 1916-11-09


astonished.
Nothing" he returned, smiling.
She frowned. "Did you want some
thing?" she asked.
Nothing in the world. Father and
mother have gone upstairs; I sha'n't
be going up for several hours, and
there didn't seem to be anybody left
for me to chat with except you and
Mr.. Lamhorn."
"'Chat with'w she echoed, incredu-
lousiy
Il can talk about almost anything"
said Bibbs with an air of genial polite
ness. 'It doesn't matter to me. I
don't know much about business-if
that's what you happened to be talking
about. But you aren't in business, are
you, Mr.. Lamhorn?"
Not now" returned Lamhorn,
shortly.
"Fm not. either" said Bibbs. at
was getting cloudier than usual. I no.
ticed, just before dark, and there was
wind from the southwest. Rain to-
morrow, I shouldn't be surprised"
He seemed to feel that he had begun
conversation the support of which
had now become the pleasurable duty
of other parties; and he sat expectant-
ly. looking first at his sister, then at
Lamhorn, as IL implying that 1t was
their turn to speak. Edith returned
his gaze with a mixture of astonish-
ment and increasing anger, while Mr.
Lamhorn was obviously disturbed,
though Bibbs had been as considerate
as possible in presenting the weather
as topic. Bibbs had perceived that
Lamhorn had nothing in his mind at
any time except ''personallties"-he
could talk about people and he could
make love. Bibbs, wishing to be cour-
teous, offered the weather.
Lamhorn refused it, and concluded
from Bibbs' luxurious attitude in the
| leather chair that this half-crazy broth
er was permanent fixture for the
rest OF the evening. There was no rea-
son to hope that he would move, and
Lamhorn found himself in danger of
| looking silly.
II was just going" he said, rising.
"Oh nor Edith cried, sharply.
"Yes. Good night! l think L"
'SToo bad" said Bibbs, genially,
walking to the door with the visitor,
while Edith stood staring as the two
disappeared in the hall. She heard
Blbbs Offering to help" Lamhorn with
his overcoat and the latter rather curt
ly declining assistance, these episodes
OF departure being followed by the
closing of the outer door. She ran into
the hall.
whats the matter with you?" she
cried, furiously. 'What do you mean?
How did you dare come In here when
you knew"
Her voice broke; she made n gesture
Of rage and despair, and ran up the
stairs, sobbing. She fed to her moth
er's room, and when Bibbs came up, a
few minutes later Mrs. Sheridan met
him at his door.
"Oh, Bibbs," she said, shaking her
head woefully, you'd oughtn't to dis
tress your sister? She says you drove
that young man out of the house. You'd
ought to been more considerate."
Bibbs smiled family, noting that
Edlth's door was open, with Edith's
naive shadow motionless across Its
threshold. Yes" he said. He doesn't
appear to be much OF mans man.
He ran at just glimpse OF one"
Edith's shadow moved; her voice
came quavering: "You call yourself
oneT"
mo, no." he answered. Il said Just
glimpse OF one didn't claim"
But her door slammed angrily; and he
turned to his mother.
There" he said, signing. That's
almost the first time in my life 1 ever
tried to be man of action, mother,
and succeeded perfectly in what
tried to do. AS consequence l feel
like horse THEIR
You hurt her feelin's," she groaned
You must "a gone at 1t too rough,
Blbbs"
He looked upon her wanly. That's
my trouble, mother" he murmured.
I'm plain, blunt fellow. l have
rough ways, and I'm a rough man"
For once she perceived some mean
ing in his queerness. Hush your nom
sense! she said, good turedly, the
astral OF troubled smile appearing.
You go to bed"
He kissed her and obeyed.
Edith gave him cold greeting the
next morning at the breakfast table.
You mustn't do that under mis-
apprehension" he warned her, when
they were alone in the dining room.
"Do what under what?" she asked.
Speak to me. came into the
smoking room last night 'on purpose"
he told her, grayely. Il have preju-
dice against that young man"
She laughed. II guess you think it
means u great deal who you have
prejudices against!' In mockery she
adopted the manner OF one who i'm
plores. "Bibbs. for PHYS sake promise