The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-07-27

downstairs. Went on down To g office,
jes' same" Jackson Informed him.
"Came sat breakfas' table, all by |
'mself; eat nothin'. George bring nice
breakfas'. but he dl'n eat u thing. |
Yessuh, went on downtown, jes' same
he yoosta do. Yessuh, I reckon putty |
much ev'ything goln' on same as 1t
yoosta do"
1t struck Blbbs that Jackson was
right. The day passed as other days
had passed. Mrs. Sheridan and Edith
were I'm black, and Mrs. Sheridan cried
little, now and then, but no other
external difference was TO be seen.
Bibbs went for his drive, and his
mother went with him. as she some
times did when the weather was pleas
ant. Altogether, the usualness of
things was rather startling TO Bibbs.
During the drive Mrs. Sheridan
talked fragmentarlly of Jim's child
hood. "But you wouldn't remember
that" she said, after narradng an epl-
sOde. "You were too little. He was
always a good boy, just like that. And
and put II In the bank. l reckon it'll
just about kill your father to put some
body In his place as president OF the
Realty company, Bibbs. l know he
can't move Roscoe over; he told me
last week he'd already put as much on
Roscoe as any one man could handle
and not go crazy. oh, it's pity"
She stopped to wipe her eyes. ITS a
pity you didn't run more with Jim,
Bibbs, and kind o. pick up his ways.
Think what it'd meant TO papa now!
You never did run with either Roscoe
or Jim any, even before you got sick.
or course you were younger; but 1t
always did seem queer-and you three
beln' brothers like that. l don't be-
lieve l ever saw you and Jim sit down
together for a good talk in my life"
Mother, I've been away so long"
Blbbs returned, gently. "And since
came home L He was busy, you see,
and hadn't much to say about the
things that interested him, because
don't know much about them"
"It's a pity! Oh, it's a pityv she
moaned. "And you'll have to learn to
know about 'em now, Bibbs. l
haven't said much to you, because /
felt it was all between your father and
you, but 1 honestly do believe it will
| just kill him IL he has to have any
more trouble on top of all this! You
mustn't let him, Bibbs-you mustn't!
You don't know how he's grieyed over
you, and now he can't stand any more
he just can't! Whatever he says for
you to do, you do 1t, Bibbs, you do It!
| want you to promise me you will"
81 would IL I could" he said, sor-
rowfully.
"No, mol Why can't you?" she
cried, clutching his arm. HE wants
you to go back to the machine shop
and all on earth he asks is for you to
| go back In a cheerful spirit so it won't
hurt youl That's all he asks. Look,
Bibbs, we're gettin' back near home,
but before we get there | want you to
promise me that you'll do what he
asks you to. Promise mel"
| In her earnestness she cleared away
her black veil that she might see him
better, and it blew out on the smoky
wind. He readjusted it for her before
he spoke.
"Tll go back In as cheerful spirit
as l can, mother" he said.
'Therer' she exclaimed, satisfied.
That's a good boy! That's all | want
ed you to say"
Don't give me any credit" he said,
ruefully. There isn't anything else
for me to do"
"No, don't begin talkin' that wayr'
"No, no." he soothed her. "We'll
have to begin to make the spirit a
cheerful one. We may" They were
turning into their own driveway as he
spoke, and he glanced at the old house
next door Mary Yertrees was visible
in the twilight, standing upon the front
steps, bareheaded, the door open be
hind her. She bowed gravely.
"'We may'-what?" asked Mrs
Sheridan, with a slight impatience.
"What Is 1t mother"
"Of all the queer boysw she cried
"You always Were. Alwaysl You
haven't forgot what you just promised
me, have your
mo" he answered, as the cal
stopped. "No, the spirit will be a:
cheerful as the flesh will let it, mother
1t won't do to behave like"
His voice was low, and in her move
ment to descend from the car sh,
failed to hear his final words.
Behave like who, Bibbs"
Nothing"
But she was fretful In her grief
you said 1t wouldn't do TO behave lik,
somebody. Behave like who?"
"It was just nonsense" he explained
turning to go in. "An obscure persoI
, don't think much OF lately"
Behave like whoT" she repeated
and upon his yielding to her petulan
lnslstence, she made up her mind tina
the only thing to do was to fell Dr