The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1916-08-17

nor that other which SO fmminentiy
threatened him held place In the con
seriousness Of Bibbs Sheridan when he
came C more to the presence OF
Mary. All was right In his world as
he sat with her, reading Maurice Mae,
terlinck's "Alladine and Palomides.'
And while the zinc eater held out Ia
bring him such golden nights as these
all the kings horses and all the kings
men might not serve to break the
spell.
Bibbs read slowly, but in a reason,
able manner, as If he were talking
and Mary, looking at him steadily
from beneath her curved fingers, ap'
peared to discover no fault. 1t had
grown 70 he her habit to look at him
whenever there was an opportunity
1t may be said, in truth. that while
they were together, and 1t was light,
she looked at him all the time.
When he came to the end of "Alla.
dine and Palomides" they were silent
a little while, considering together
then he turned back the pages and
said:
There's something I want to read
over. This:
You would think I threw a window
open on the dawn She has a sou
that can be seen around her-that takes
you In its arms like an ailing child and
without saying anything TO you consoles
dor | nE1 ei il ali. dc not ! tn know MeI how uf Il
can all be, but my knees bend in spite OF
me when / speak of it. -.
He stopped and looked at her.
you boy" said Mary, not very
clearly.
"Oh, yes" he returned. But it's
true-especially my knees"
You boyr' she murmured again,
blushing charmingly. you might read
another line over. The first time l
ever saw you. Bibbs, you were look.
Ing into a mirror. Do 1t again. But
you needn't read it can give it to
you: A little Greek slave that came
from the heart OF A~rcadyr"
"I! I'm one of the hands at the
Pump works-and going to stay one,
unless I have to decide to study
plumbing"
"No." She shook her head. "You
love and want what's beautiful and
delicate and serene; it's really art that
you want in your life, and have always
wanted. You seemed to me, from the
first, the most wistful person l had
ever known, and that's what you were
wistful for"
Bibbs looked doubtful and more
wistful than ever; but after a moment
or two the matter seemed to clarity
itself to him. why, no." he said; 81
wanted something else more than that
| wanted you"
"And here / am" she laughed, com.
pletely understanding. 81 think we're
like those two In 1.-THE Cloister and
the Hearth" I'm just the rough Bur.
gundian crossbow man, Denys, who
followed that gentle Gerard and told
everybody that the devil was dead"
He isn't, though" said Bibbs, as
hoarse little bell In the next room be.
gan a series of snappings which
proved to be ten, upon count. "He
gets into the clock whenever I'm with
you" And, signing deeply, he rose
to go. '
You're always very prompt about
leaving me-"
There's one little time in the twenty
four hours when I'm not happy. It's
now, when l have to say good night
But now's the bad time-and I mus
go through 1t, and so-good night
And he added with a pungent yehe
hence OF which he was little aware
~ hate itv'
do your" she said. rising to 60 tc
the door with him. But he stood mo
~tionless, gazing at her wonderingly.
MARY! Your eyes are So" He
stopped.
YES" But she looked quickly away
81 don't know" he said. 81 thought
just then"
What did you think?"
~ don't know-it seemed to me tina,
there vas something l ought to under.
standard didn't"
She laughed and met his wondering
gaze again frankly. my eyes are
pleased" she said. SIN glad that you
miss me a little after you CO."
"But tomorrow's coming faster than
other days, IL you'll let it." he said.
She inclined her head. Eyes. III
let it'r!'
"Going to church." said Bibbs. "It Is
going TO church when l 60 with your
She went to the front door with him
she always went that far. They had
formed a little code OF le~ave-taking,
by habit. neither of them ever speak
ing Of 1t; but 1t was always the same.
She always stood in the doorway until
he reached the sidewalk, and there he
always turned and looked back, and
she waved her hand to him. Then he
went on, halfway to the new house,
and looked back again. and Mary was
not In the doorway. but the door was
open and the light shone. 1t was as
II she meant to tell him that she would
never shut him out; he could always
see that friendly light of the open
doorway--as II It were open for him ia
come back, II he would. He could zee
1t until a wing of the new house came
between. when he went up the path