Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-04-27
CHAPTER XVIII.
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4 1vrsle Ms " HaxDer & HSpthors

CHAPTER XVIII.
He emerged only upon second sum-
mons to dinner, two hours later, and
came to the table so white and silent
that his wife made her anxiety mani
fest and was but partially treasured
BY his explanation that his lunchx had
disagreed" with him a little.
Presently, however, he spoke effec-
lively. Bibbs, whose appetite had be-
come hearty, was helping himself to a
second breast Of capon from white
jackets salver. Heres another diff
ference between Midas and chicken"
Sheridan remarked, grimly. II reckon
you overlooked that. Midas looks to
me Like he had the advantage there"
Bibbs retained enough presence OF
mind to transfer the capon breast to
his plate without dropping 1t and to
respond, "Yes-he crows over it."
Having returned his antagonists fire
in this fashion, he blushed-for. he
could blush distinctly now--and his
mother looked upon him with pleasure,
though the reference to Midas and
ROSTERS was OF course jargon to her.
did you ever see anybody improve
the way that child hasr' she exclaimed.
II declare, Bibbs, sometimes lately You
look right handsomev' &n
Hes got to be such gadabout,' .
Edith giggled.
81 found something Of his on the
floor upstairs this morning. before any
body was up," said Sheridan. Il
reckon If people lose things in this
house and expect to get 'em back. they
better get up as soon as I do"
what was it he lost? ?" asked Edith.
"He knows!'' her father returned.
Seems to me like forgot to bring it
home with me. I looked It over
thought probably 1t was something
pretty important, belongin' to busy
man ike him" He affected to search
his pockets. "What did 1 do with 1t,
now? Oh yes! Seems to me like I re-
member leavin' it down At the. Office
In the waste basket 4
Good place for It," Bibbs muir
INJURED, still red.
Sheridan gave him 4 grin. Perhaps
pretty soon you'll be gettin' up early
enough to ind things before do"
1t was threat, and Bibbs repeated
the substance Of it, later in the eve
ming, to Mary Vertrees-they had come
to know each other that well.
my times here at last" he said, as
they sat together in the melancholy gas
Hight of the room which had been de-
nuded OF It's piano. But the gas light
though from single jet, shed no
melancholy upon Bibbs, nor could any
room seem bare that knew the glow
ing presence of Mary. He spoke
lightly, not sadly. .
Eyes, it's come. I've shirked and
put It OF. but can't shirk and put of
any, longer. It's really my part to go
to himat least it would save my face.
He means what he says, and the times
come to serve my sentence. Hard labor
for life, / think" 'y ,...., .
Mary shook her head. II don't think
so. He's too kind
s'You think my fathers kind?" And
Bibbs stared at her. - ~
Eyes. I'm sure Of it. I've felt that
he hasa great, brave heart. It's only
that he has to be kind in his own way
because, he can't understand any
other way" =
.Ah yes,' said Bibbs. IF that's
what you mean by 'kind'| a.
She looked at him gravely, earnest
concern in her friendly eyes. "It's go
ing to be pretty hard for you, isn't it ~
ooh self-pity" he returned, smiling.
...This has been just the last flicker Of
revolt. Nobody minds work If he
likes the kind Of work. There'd be no
loafers IN the world IL each man found
the thing that he could do best; but the
only work / happen to want to do is
useless-so / have to give it up. To
morrow I'll be day laborer."
what Is It like-exactly ?" es,$S
ut wasn't muscularly exhausting-
not at all. They couldn't give me a
heavier Job because I wasn't good
enough"
"But what viii you do7 I want to
know"