Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-04-28

Bibbs looked mp at her shyly. Il
want to say 1t, but--but I come to a
dead balk when try. T. 4 NJ
'.Go on. Say, II, whatever 1t is,"
she babe him. '.'You wouldn't know
how to say anything shouldn't like"
II doubt II you'd either like or dis
like what want to say" he returned.
moving uncomfortably In his chair and
looking at his feet he seemed to feel
awkward, thoroughly. sYou see, all
my life until met you--if ever
felt like saying anything, wrote 1t in
stead. Saying things is new trick
for me, and this-well, it's just this:
used to feel as II hadn't ever had
any sort OF q life at all. I'd never
/ been Of use to anything or anybody,
and I'd never had anything, myself,
except q kind Of haphazard thinking.
But now it's different-Im still of no
use to anybody, and I don't see any
prospect Of being useful, but I have
had something for myself. I've had
beautiful and happy experience, and
/ It makes my life seem to bel mean
I'm glad I've lived It! That's all; it's
your letting me be near you sometimes,
as you have, this strange, beautiful,
happy little whilew g.
He did not once look up, and reached
silence, at the end Of what he had to
say, with eyes still awkwardly regard
ing his feet. She did not speak, but
soft rustIing Of her garments let him
know that she had gone back to her
VH1 n{vsc In y,A - 10 IN
shabby old room was 50 quiet that the
sound Of a creating in the wall
seemed sharp ana loud. ~ q
And yet, when Mary spoke at last,
her voice was barely audible. IF you
think It has been-happy-to be
friends with me-you'd want toto
make II last"
YES" he gulped. - >-s-
'.Rut you make that kind Of speech
to me because yeu think it's oyer.''
He tried to evade her. "Oh, day
laborer can't come in his overalls-"
NO" she interrupted, with a sud-
den sharpness. "You said what you
did because you think the shops going
to kill you" " -s..=v .F>s
mo. nor &,.H.5s ,. .....,s.. s..y..;f
eyes, yoa - think that! She rose
to her feet again and came and stood
before him. 'Don't deny 1t. Bibbs.
Well, II you meant what you said
and you did mean it, I know It'll
you're not going to 60 back to the san
itarium. The shop shan't hurt you.
II sfsn,tl'' q VI 3 II, ~, 5 Z, !, ,' 4;
And now Bibbs looked up. She stood
before him. straight and tall, splendid
in generous strength, her eyes shining
and wet. EGG A tsS. 3s'iF q
III mean that much to you" she
cried. '.they can't harm you! Go back
to the shop-but come to me when
your days work Is done. Let the ma !
chimes crash their sixty-eight times
minute, but remember each crash that
den ens you is that much nearer the
evening and mep
he stumbled to his feet. "You say"
he gasped
4Every evening, dear Bibbsr'
RIG He could only stare, bewildered.
5s Every evening. want you. They
sha.n't hurt you again. And she held
ont her hand to him; it was strong
and warm In his tremulous clasp. IF
I could, I'd go and feed the strips of
zinc to the machine with you,'' she
said. "But all day long I'll send my
thoughts to you. You must keep re-
membering that your friend stands be-
side you. And when the work Is done
won't the night make up for the day?'
Light seemed to glow from her; he
was blinded by that radiance Of kind
ness. But all he could say was, husk-
lily, ITO think you're there me-
standing beside the old zinc-eater-"
And they laughed and looked at each
other, and at last Bibbs found what it
meant not to be alone in the world.
He had friend. 55