Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-09-07

Bibbs' room, that neat apartment for
transients to which the 'lamidal"
George had shown him upon his return,
still bore the appearance Of temporary
quarters, possibly because Bibbs had
no clear conception OF himself as a
permanent incumbent. However, he
had set upon the mantelpiece the two
photographs that he owned; one, a
group" twenty years old-his father
and mother, with Jim and Roscoe as
boys-and the other cabinet" Of
Edith at sixteen. And upon a table
were the books he had taken from his
trunk: Sartor Resartus, Vtrginfbus
Puerisque, Huckleberry Finn, and Aft
erwhiles. There were some other books
In the trunk-a large one, which re-
mained unremoved at the foot of the
bed, adding to the general impression
OF transiency. It contained nearly all
the possessions as well as the secret
life Of Bibbs Sheridan, and Bibbs sat
beside 1t, the day after his interview
with his father, raking over a small
collection of manuscripts in the top
tray. Some Of these he glanced through
obviously, finding little comfort In
them; but one made him smile. Then
he shook his head ruefully indeed, and
ruefully began to read it. 1t was writ
ten on paper stamped Hood SAM
tarium," and 1t bore the title, Leisure"
:. For a profession adapted solely to
he of thinking /
would choose that of An invalid; his
money is time and he may spend it on
Olympus. :. The world must be on the
other side Of the wall. and the wall must
be thick and SO high that he cannot
hear the roaring OF the furnace fires and
the screaming Of the whistles. Peace
Having read so far as the word
'peace," Bibbs suffered an interruption
interesting as a coincidence Of con-
trast. High voices sounded in the hall
lust outside his door: and it became
evident that woman's quarrel was In
progress, the parties to 1t having begun
1t in Edith's room, and continuing it
vehemently as they came out into the
hall.
Eyes, you better go homer Bihbs
heard his sister vociferating, shrilly.
"You better go home and keep your
mind little more on your husband"
"Edie, Ediev he heard his mother
demonstrating, as peacemaker.
you see herer This was Sibyl, and
her voice was both acrid and trem-
ulous Don't you talk to me that
way! I came here to tell ifother Sherf
dan what I'd heard, and to let her tell
Father Sheridan If she thought she
ought to, and I did 1t for your own
good"
Eyes, you didr' And Edith's gliding
laughter footed loudly. Eyes, you did!
You didn't have any other reason! Oh
no! You don't want to break 1t up be-
tween Bobby Lamhorn and me be-
cause"
'Edie, Edie! Now, noww
"Oh, hush up, mamma! I'd like to
know IL no oughtn't to come here, what
about his not going to her house.
How"
"Ive explained that to Mother Sheri-
dan" Sibyl's voice indicated that she
was descending the stairs. Married
people are not the same. Some things
that should be shielded from young
girl"
This seemed to have no very sooth-
ing effect upon Edith. Shielded from
a young girr!' she shrilled. ''You seem
pretty willing to be the shield! You
look out Roscoe doesn't notice what
kind of a shield you are!
SibyPs answer was inaudtble, but
Mrs Sheridan's durried attempts at
pacifcation were renewed.
"Oh, hush up, mamma, and let me
sloneI II you dare tell papa"