Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-05-25
CHAPTER TX.

Bibbs' room, that neat apartment for
transients to which the ''lamidaT
George had shown him upon his return,
still bore the appearance Of temporary
quarters, possibly because Bibbs had
no clear conception of himself as
permanent incumbent. However, he
had set upon the mantelpiece the two
photographs that he owned; one. a
group" twenty years old-his father
and mother, with Jim and Roscoe as
boys--and the other cabinet of
Edith at sixteen. And upon a table
were the books he had taken from his
trunk: Sartor Resartus, Virginlbus
Puerisque, Huckleberry Finn, and Aft
erwhiles. There were some other books
in the trunk-a large one, which re-
manned unremoved at the foot of the
bed, adding to the general impression
of transiency. 1t contained nearly all
the possessions as well as the secret
life of Bibbs Sheridan, and Bibbs sat
beside it, the day after his interview
with his father, raking over small
collection of manuscripts in the top
tray. Some of these he glanced through
obviously, finding little comfort in
them; but one made him smile. Then
he shook his head ruefully indeed, and
ruefully began to read it. 1t was writ
ten on paper stamped Hood SAM
tarium," and it bore the title, Leisure"
=. For profession adapted solely to
the pursuit of happiness in thinking.
would choose that of an invalid; his
money Is time and he may spend 1t on
Olympus. :. The world must be on the
be so thick and SO high that he cannot
hear the roaring of the furnace fires and
the screaming Of the whistles. Peace
Having read so far as the word
peace" Bibbs suffered an interruption
interesting as a coincidence of con-
trast. High voices sounded in the hall
just outside his door; and it became
evident that a woman's quarrel was in
progress, the parties to 1t having begun
it in Edith's room, and continuing it
Fehemently as they came out into the
hall
Eyes, you better go homer Blbbs
heard his sister vociferating, shrilly.
You better go home and keep your
mind little more on your husband"
EDDIE, Edie!" he heard his mother
demonstrating, as peacemaker.
"You see herev' This was Sibyl, and
her voice was both acrid and trem-
blous. Don't you talk to me that
way! came here to tell Mother Sheri-
dan what I'd heard, and to let her tell
Father Sheridan IL she thought she
ought to, and did it for your own
good"
"Yes, you didr' And Edith's gliding
laughter footed loudly. Eyes, you did!
You didn't have any other reason! oh
no! You don't want to break 1t up be-
tween Bobby Lamhorn and me be-
cause"
Eddie, Edie! Now, nowv'
"Oh, hush up, mamma! I'd like to
knowAf he oughtn't to come here, what
about his not going to her house.
How"
"I've explained that to Mother Sheri-
dam" Sibyl's voice indicated, that she
was descending the stairs. Married
people are not the same. Some things
that should be shielded from young
girl"
This seemed to have no very sooth-
ing effect upon Edith. Shielded from
a young girrr' she shriIled. "You seem
pretty willing to be the shield! You
look out Roscoe doesn't notice what
kind of shield you are!"
SibyPs answer was inaudible, but
Mrs. Sheridan's hurried attempts at
pacification were renewed.
"Oh. hush up, mamma, and let me
alone! If you dare tell papa"
"Well, We'll see. You just come back
in your own room, and we'll"
mo! won't talk 1t over! Stop
pulling me. Let me alonev' And
Edith, finging herself violently upon
Bibbs' door, jerked it open, swung
round it into the room, slammed the
door behind her, and threw herself,
face down, upon the bed in such riot
Of emotion that she had no perception
of Bibbs' presence in the room. Gasp
ing and sobbing in a passion Of tears,
she beat the coverlet and pillows with
her clenched fists. Sneak she bab-
bled aloud. 'Sneak! Snake-in-the-
grass! Catw
Bibbs saw that she did not know he
was there, and he went softly toward
the door, hoping to get away before
she became aware of him; but some
sound of his movement reached her,
and she sat up, startled, facing him.
"Bibbs! thought saw you go out
a while ago"
Eyes. came back, though. I'm
sorry"
did you hear me quarreling with
SibylY
"Only what you said In the hall You
lie down again, Edith. I'm going out"
mo: don't GO" She applied
handkerchief to her eyes, emitted
sob. and repeated her request. Don't
go. | don't mind you; you're quiet,
anyhow. Mammals 50 fussy, and
never gets anywhere, don't mind
you at all, but wish you'd sit down."
"All right" And he returned to his
chair beside the trunk. go ahead and
cry all you want. Edith" he said. mo
harm In thatw ~ a sif
"Sibyl told mamma-Oh" she began.
choking. cMary yertrees had mamma