Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-04-19
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
0naurishf 1o1k by Harper d Bcothen
CHAPTER XIV.

Mary was the picture Of d lady fius-
tered Bibbs had paused In his slow
stride, and there elapsed an instant be-
fore either spoke or moved-it was no
longer than that, and yet It suf1ced
for each to seem to say, by look and at
titude, "Why, it's your NA
Then they both spoke at once, each
hurriedly pronouncing the others
name as If about to deliver a mes
sage Of Importance. Then both came
\ to a stop simultaneously, but Bibbs
made heroic effort, and as they be-
i gan to walk on together he contrived
I to find his voice.. 'r. 3.
I-I-hate frozen fish myself"
ne said. II think three miles was too
long for you to put up with one"
Good graciousr' she cried, turning
N to him glowing face from which
restraint and embarrassment had sud-
denly fled. 'tMr. Sheridan, you're
{ lovely to put 1t that way. It was an
imposition for me to have made you
bring me home, and after I went into
the house decided I should have
y walked. Besides, 1t wasn't three miles
/ to the car line. I never thought Of itr'
No." said Bibbs, earnestly. II
didn't, either. might have said some
thing II I'd thought Of anything. I'm
talking now, though; must remember
h that. and not worry about it later. I
think I'm talking, though it doesn't
sound intelligent even, to me. I made
up my mind that If / ever met you
again I'd turn on my voice and keep it
going, no matter what it said. L"
She interrupted him with laughter,
and Mary vertrees' laugh was one
& which Bibbs' father had declared, after
the house-warming, "a cripple would
Y crawl five miles to hear" And at the
merry lifting Of 1t Bibbs' fathers son
took heart to forget some of his trepi-
4 dation. "I'll be any kind Of idiot" he
4 said, III you'll laugh at me some more.
It won't be difficult for me-.
She did; and Bibbs' cheeks showed q
little actual color. which Mary per-
ceived. They had passed the new house
without either Of them 3showing-or
possessing ANY consciousness that it
had been the destination OF one of
them.
"I'll keep on talking" Bibbs con-
tinued. .cheerfnlly, '.and you keep on,
iE-the world this afternoon. I'm max
{ ing noise, and that makes you make
music. Don't be bothered by my bleat-
ing out such things as that. I'm real
" frightened. I don't remember talk
ing as much as this more than once
or twice in my life I suppose 1t was
always in me to do it, though, the first
time met anyone who didn't know
me well enough not to listen"
Rat you're not really talking to
me. said Mary. You're just think
Ing aloud. - .. -. n
"No,n he returned, gravely. "I'm
not thinking at all; I'm only making
vocal sounds. I seem to be the sub
ject Of what little meaning they pos
sess, and I'd like to change it, but I
don't know how to manage it." 4
You needn't change the subject on
my account, MI Sheridan" she said.
s"Not even il you really talked about
yourself" She turned her face toward
him as she spoke, and Bibbs caught
his breath; he was pathetically amazed
N the look she gave him. 1t was q
glowing look, warmly friendly and nm
8 derstanding. and, what almost shocked
him, It was an eagerly interested look.
Bibbs was not accustomed to anything
like that. u - ~
you-I--I'm-" he stammered,
and the faint color in his cheeks grew
almost vivid. Ir.5' II.
She was still looking at him, and
( she saw the strange radiance, that