Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-10-12

They've Got to Come Down Now
agent. He gave me the option until
tomorrow. but l told him I'd settle 1t
this evening""
Sheridan gazed after him as he left
the room, and then, though his express
sion did not alter in the slightest, s.
sound came from him that startled his
wife. 1t had been long time since
she had heard anything resembling a
chuckle from him, and this sound-al-
though 1t was grim and dry-bore that
resemblance.
She frightened eagerly. Looks like
be was startin' right well, don't it.
papaY'
"startin'? Lord! He got me on the
hip! Why, he knew what I wanted
that's why he had the inspector up
there, 80 t he'd have me beat before
we even started to talk about it. And
did you hear him? Can't reasonably
defend sentimentr And the way he
say U.s. Took an option for Us!
Stuff piled up on Usr"
There was always an alloy for Mrs.
Sheridan. II don't just like the way
be looks, though, papa"
"Oh, there's get to be something!
Only one chick left at home, so you
start to frettn' about it!'
mo. He's changed. There's a kind
Of a selfish look to his face, and"
idan came in, some sheets Of typewrit-
ten memoranda in his hand.
"Bibbs," he said, 81 don't like to butt
in very often this way, and when l do
| usually wish hadn't-but for heav-
ems sake what have you been buying
that ole busted inter-traction stock
forF'
Bibbs leaned back from his desk.
For eleven hundred and fifty-five dol
lars. That's all it cost"
well, 1t amt worth eleven hundred
and nfty-fve cents. You ought to
know that. 1 don't get your idea
That stuff's deader'n Adams catr'
at might be worth something-some
day"
How?
at mightn't be go dead-not If We
went into It,. said Bibbs coolly.
ooh" Sheridan considered this mus
fRgly; then he said, who'd you buy it
from3"
"a brokeE-Fansmith."
'Weu, he must "a got it from one o.
the crowd o. poor ninnies that was
soaked with it. Don't you know who
owned it,"
yes, ] do"
"Atn't sayin', though? That It?
What's the matterf''
at belonged to Mr.. Vertrees," said
Bibbs, shortly, applying himself to his
desk.
'sop' Sheridan gazed down at his
sons thin face. Excuse me-" be said
Your business" And he went back
to his own room. But presently he
looked in again.
II reckon you won't mind lunchin'
alone today'-he was shuff1ing himself
into his overcoat-"because l Just
thought I'd go up to the house and
get this over with mamma" He
glanced alphabetically toward his
right hand as 1t emerged from the
sleeve Of the overcoat. The bandages
had been removed, finally, that morn
ing, revealing but three fingers-the
forehnger and the next to it had been
amputated. "She's bound to make an
n EufTIJ and II ho++nys
lunch than her dinner. I'll be back
about two"
But he calculated the time of his ar
rival at the new house so accurately
that Mrs. Sheridan's lunch was not dis
turbed, and she was rising from the
lonely table when he came into the
dining room. He had left his overcoat
In the hall, but he kept his hands In
his trousers pockets.
whats the matter, papa?" she
asked, quickly. HAS anything gone
wrong? You amt sickT'
"Mep He laughed loudly. "Me
sickf"
you had runchf'
Didn't want any today. You car
give NE a cup o coffee, though"
She rang, and told George to have
coffee made, and when he had with.
drawn she said ENORMOUSLY, 81 just
know there's something wrong"
"Nothin' in the world" he respond
ed, heartily, taking a seat at the head
of the table. Il thought I'd talk over
a notion o. mine with you, that's all
It's more women-folks' business than
what it is mans, anyhow"
what about?"
"Why, ole Doc Quincy was up at the
office this morning awhile"
ITO look at your hand? How's he
say it's doin'7"
"Finei Well, he went in and sat |
around with Bibbs awhile"
Mrs. Sheridan nodded pessimfstically. |
II guess it's time you had him, too.
knew Bibbs-"
Now, mamma, hold your horses! I '