The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1916-10-20
CHAPTER xxx.

woman, placid or face; a black-c,ad.
thin young man, whose expression was
one Of habitual anxiety. habitlal wan-
ness and habitual eaGerness. lie pro-
PEELED 4 perambulator %containin. the
third-and all three were newly
cleaned Sundayied. and made at to
dine with the wife's relatives.
How'd you like for tie to be that
young fella, namIna?" the husband
whispered. Hes one Of the sons and
there amt but two left now"
The wife stared curiously at Ribbs.
well. l don't know" she returned.
"H1 looks to ME like he had his own
troubles
\ expect he has. like anybody else
said the young husband. but l guess
We could stand a good deal II we had
his money"
We'll. maybe, II you keep on the
way you been. baby II be as we'll fixed
as the Sheridans. You can't tell" She
glanced back at Bibbs. who had turned
north. He walks kind Of slow and
stopped over. like"
so much money in his pockets 1t
makes him sag. l guess" said the
young husband. with bitter admira-
ton.
Mary, happening to glance from a
window, saw Bibbs coming. and abe
started. clasping her hands together
in a sudden earn. She met him at
the door.
"Bibbs!" she cried. What 10 the
matter? saw something was terribly
wrong when l. You look" She
paused, and be came In, not lifting hts
eyes to hers. Always when he crossed
that threshold he had come with his
head up and his wistful gaze seeking
hers. "Ah. poor boy she said, with q
gesture OF understanding and pity. ~
know what 1t is"
He followed her is4s the room where
they always sat, and sank into a chair.
You needn't tell me-" she said.
They've made you give up. Your IA
TIERS won-you're going to do what
he wants. You've given up"
Still without looking at her, he In
clined his head In affirmation.
She gave q little cry OF compassion.
and came and sat near him. "Bibbs."
though It's selfish. l can be glad you
came straight to ne. It's more to me
than wen II you'd come because you
were happy" She did not speak again
for q little while: then she said:
"Bibbs-dear-could you tell me about
It? DO you want TOT"
Still be did not look up. but in 4
voice. shaken and husky. he asked her
a question SO .rotesque that 1T first she
thought she had misunderstood his
words.
Mary" he said, could you marry
me?"
What did you say. Blbbs?' she
asked. quietly.
His tone and attitude did not change.
will you marry me?"
Both her hands leaped to her cheeks
-sho grew red and then white. She
rose slowly and moved backward from
him. staring at him. at first incred-
ulously. then with IN intense perplex-
ity more aud more luminous In her
wide eyes: It was like q spoken qucs-
ton. The room Oiled with strange
mesa In the long silonce-the two wero
so strange 20 each other. At last she
said:
What made you say thatr'
He did not answer.
"Bibbs, look ut me-" Her voice was
loud and clear. What made you say
that7 Look at mel"
He could not look 1T her. and he
could not speak.
What was it that made your" she
said. Il want you to tell me-"
She went closer to him, her eyes
ever brighter and wider with that in
tensity of wonder. you've given up
to your father" she said, slowly,
'and then you come to ask me-" She
broke of. 'Bibhs. do you want me to
marry your"
YES" he said. just audibly.
"No!" she cried. You do not. Then
what made you ask me? What is 1t
that's ~hAppenedY'
Nothing"
wait" she said. "L.et me think. |
It's something that happened since our
walk this morning-yes, since you left |
at Something happened
that" She stopped abruptly. with a
tremulous murmur OF amazement and
dawning comprehension. She remem-
bered that Sibyl had gone to the new
house.
Bibbs swallowed painfully and con
trived to say. II do do want you to
marry ME. if-if-you could"
She looked ut him. and slowly shook
her head. "Bibbs, do you" Her
voice was as unsteady as his-little
more than a whisper. do you think
I'm-in love with your"
mo" he said.
Somewhere in the still air OF the
there was a whispered word: Ii
did not seem to come from Mnry's
parted lips. but he was aware OF It.
"Why?"
i've had nothing but Dreams"
Rihha said dnc0lafnlc Nh,% <hov