The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-07-06
CHAPTER VII Continued.

"BibbsI', Edith's voice was angry,
and her color deepened suddenly as
she came into the room, preceded by
scent OF violets much more powerful
than that warranted by the actual
bunch of them upon the lapel Of her
coat.
Bibbs did not turn his head, but
wagged II solemnly, seeming depressed
by the poem. "Pretty young, isn't itT'
he said. "There must have been some
thing about your looks that got the
prize, Edith; l can't believe the poem
did It,"
She glanced hurrledly over her shoul-
der and spoke sharply, but In a low
voice: 81 don't think it's very nice of
you TO bring 1t up at all. Bibbs. didn't
want them to frame II, and l wish to
goodness papa'd quit talking about 1t;
but here, that night, after the dinner,
didn't he go and read it aloud to the
whole crowd of 'eml thought I'd die
OF shamew
Bibbs looked grieved. "The poem
isn't that bad, Edith. You see. you
were only seventeen when you wrote
It."
"Oh, hush upw she snapped. II wish
1t had burnt my fingers the first time
/ touched it. Then l might have had
sense enough to leave 1t where 1t was
had no business to take 1t, and I've
been ashamed"
NO, no." he said, comfortingly. at
was the very most tiattering thing ever
happened TO me. 1t was almost my
last fight before went to the machine
shop, and it's pleasant to think some
body liked 1t enough to-"
"But don't like itr she exclaimed.
81 don't even understand it-and papa
made so much fuss over its getting the
prize. just hate It! The truth is
never dreamed 1t d get the prize"
"You have to live 1t down, Edith.
Perhaps abroad and under another
name you might find"
"Oh, hush up! I'll hire someone to
steal 1t and burn 1t the first chance I
get" She turned away petulantly,
moving to the door. I'D like to think
could hope to hear the last Of 1t be-
fore dle'
Edith he called, as she went into
the hall.
whats the matterT
II want to ask you: Do really look
better, or have you just got used to
meT
"What on earth do you mean?" she
said, coming back as far as the thresh-
old
"When | first came you couldn't look
at me-" Bibbs explained, In his imper.
sonal way. But I've noticed you look
at me lately. l wondered IL I'd"
"It's because you look so much bet
ter" she told him, cheerfully. "Thi.
month you've been here's done you nc
end of good. Anybody could look al
you now, Bibbs, and not-not get"
"SickP'
"Well--almost thatr' she laughed
"And you're getting better colol
every day, Bibbs; you really are
You're really getting along splendidly.'
"I-I'm afraid So" he said, ruefully
"Afraid so! Well, II you aren't the
queerest! l suppose you mean fatbel
might send you back to the machln,
shop IL yop get well enough. ! hear(
him say something about II the night o.
the" The Jingle Of distant bell in
terrupted her, aud she glanced at he
watch. Bobby Lamhorn! I'm goini
to motor him out to look at place II
the country. Afternoon. Bibbs!"
When she had gone, Bibbs moonet
pessimistically from shelf to shelf, hi
eye wandering among the titles OF tn
books. The library consisted almos
entirely OF handsome uniform ed
tIons." They made an effective deco
ration for the room. all these big. ex
pensive books, with glossy bindin
here and there twinkling a reflection o
the flames that cracked IN tho splendi
sthi< frspiaos,