The Taney County republican., 1916-11-09

Don't Be Surprised" He SAID.
the handwritin', and read it all--once
| got started
I'm glad you did"
"Wer-he leaned forward as Z
to rise-"I guess that's about all, |
just thought you ought to have it,"
THANK you for bringing it."
He looked Mt her hopefully. as II
he thought and wished that she might
have something more to say. But she
seemed not to be aware Of this glance,
and sat with her eyes fixed sOrrowfuIlv
upon the floor.
"Wcl, expect better be gettin'
back to the office" he said, rising des-
peratcly. Il told--l told my partner
III he back at two o'clock and guess
he'll think I'm a poor business man
If he catches I'VE hrhind time. got
to walk thr r'H = mighty straight
line these days w.a that fellow keep
In tabs on mel"
Mary rose with him. 1--WE always
heard you were the hard driver"
He guffawed derisvcly. ME? I'm
nothin to that partner o. mine. You
couldn't guess to save your life how
he keeps after me to hold up my end
o the job. | shouldn't be surprised
he'd give me the grand bounce some
day, aud run the whole circus himself.
You know how he s-OnCe he goes at
a thing"
NO" she smiled 81 didn't know
you had Il partner. IA always heard"
He laughed, looking away from her.
ITS Il my way O. speakin' O. that
boy o mine Bibbs."
He stood then, eXpcctant, staring out
into thc hall with an air of careless
GENIAL ty. He felt that she certainly
must ~ at least. How Is Rihbs?" but
she s.id nothing at all. though he wait
ed until the silence became embarrass
ing.
well, guess | better be gettin'
down there" he said at last. He
might worry"
"Goodhy and thank you, said Mary.
For whatT"
For the letter.
oh" he said, blankly. You're
welcome. GoOdby."
Mary put ont her hand. "Goodby."
"You'Il have 10 excuse my left hand"
he said Il had little accident to the
other one"
She gave a plying cry as she saw.
"Oh, poor Mr.. Sheridanw
"Nothin' at all! Dictate everything
nowadays. anyhow lie laughed
jovially. Did anybody tell you how
it happenedT"
81 heard you hurt your hand. but
no-not Just how"
1T was this way" he began. and
both. as II uncOnsciously. sat down
again. You may not know It. but
used to worry a good deal about the
youngest o. my bOys--the one that
used to come to see you sometimes.
after Jim-that Is. mean Bibbs. He's
the one spoke Of as my partner: and
the truth Is that's what it's just about
COin' TO amount to. one o these days
If bis health holds out. We'll, you re-
member, ! expect. had him on n
machine over at plant O. mine; and
sometimes I'd kind o sneak in there
and see how be was gettin' along
Take IoctOr with me sometimes. be-
cause Bibbs never was so robust, you
might say. Ole Doc Gurney-I guess
maybe you know him? Tall. thin man;
acts sleepy"
Yes"
"Wcll. one day an ole Doc Cur.
ncy. we were in there. and | under
took TO show Bibbs how to run his
machine. He told me to look out, but
wouldn't listen. and ! didn't look
out--and that's how | got nv hani
hurt. tryin' to show Bibhs to do some
thing he knew how to do and | didn't.
Made me so mad Just wouldn't even
admit TO myself ii was burt-and so.
by and by. ole Doc Gurney had to take
kind o. radical measures with me. He's
a right good doctor. too. Don't you
think so. Miss VortreesT
"Yes."
"Yps. he is so"' Sheridan now had
the air Of rambling talker and gossip
with all day on his hands. Take him
on Blbbs' case. was talkln' about
Eibbs' case with him this morning.