Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-05-02

five. Sibyl had taken pains not to ar
rive either before or after the hand
was precisely on the hour, and the
members Of the family were all seated
at the table within two minutes after
she and Roscoe had entered the house.
It was glum gathering, overhung
with portents. The air seemed charged,
awaiting any tiny ignition to explode;
and Mrs. Sheridan's expression, as
she sat with her eyes fixed almost con-
tinually upon her husband, was that
Of person engaged in prayer. Edith
was pale and intent. Roscoe looked
III; Sibyl looked i'll, and Sheridan
looked both Ill and explosive. Bibbs
had more color than any Of these. and
there was a strange brightness, like a
light, upon his face. It was curious
to see anything SO happy in the tense
gloom of that household.
Edith ate little. She never once
looked at Sibyl, though Sibyl now and
then gave her a quick glance, heavily
charged, and then looked away. Ros-
coe ate nothing. He did not once look
at his father, though his father gazed
heavily at him most of the time. And
between Edith and Sibyl, and between
Roscoe and his father, some bitter
wireless communication seemed con-
tinually to be taking place throughout
the long silences prevailing during this
enlivening ceremony of Sabbath refec-
ton.
-"Didn't you go to church this morn
ing, Bibbs?" his mother asked, in the
effort to break up one Of those CHASTITY
intervals.
II think So" he answered, as from
roseate trance.
"You think so! Don't you known
"Oh, yes. Yes, I went to church,
"What was the sermon about?"
"What, mother?"
Cant you hear me?' she cried. II
asked you what the sermon was
about"
| He reused himself. IT think it was
about" He frowned, seeming to con-
centrate his will to recollect. II think
it was about something In the Bible"
White-jacket George was glad of an
opportunity to leave the room and lean
upon Mist Jackson's shoulder in the
pantry. HE don't know they was
any suhmonv' he concluded, having
narrated the dining-room dialogue.
"All he know is he was with at lady
lives mex dor George was right.
did you go to church all by your
self, Bibbs?' sibyl asked.
no. he answered. mo, didn't 60
alone. y -.s@2. -. ~. -
d "Oh?" Sibyl gave the ejaculation
an upward twist, as of hooking In
uuiry, and followed 1t by another, ex-
pressive Of hilarious comprehension.
"Oh!" J. /: 4: a. Z 4 s:: ,'--s,tt,5z-
Bibbs looked 3at. her studiously, but
she spoke no further. And that COM
pleted the conversation at the lugu-
brious feast. Z ,gs-
Coffee came finally, was disposed
Of quickly, and the party dispersed to
other parts Of the house. Bibbs fol-
lowed his father and Roscoe into the
library, but was not well received.
"You go and listen to the phono-
graph with the women-folks," Sheri-
dan commanded. .,,# 4
Bibbs retreated. Sometimes you do
seem to be hard sort Of mani! he
said.
However, he went obediently into
the giIt-and-brocade room to which his
mother ana his sister ana his sister
ln-law had helplessly withdrawn, ac-
cordtrg to their Sabbatical custom.
Mrs, i:lhs,tJan was looking over q col.
lection of records consisting exclu.
sively Of Caruso and ragtime, She
selected one OF the latter, remarkine
/ that she thought II fright pretty" and
followed 1t with one Of the former and
the same remark. X 4; Z. Z
AS the second reached Its conclusion
George appeared in the broad door
Iway, but he did not speak. Instead
he favored Edith with benevolent
smile, and she immediatciy ieTt ias