The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-06-17
CHAPTER vII-continued.

'Bibbs"' Edith's voice was angry.
and her color deepened suddenly as
she came into the room, preceded by
scent OF violets much more powerful
than that warranted by the actual
bunch of them upon the lapel of her
coat
Bibbs did not turn his head. but
wagged it sOlemnly. seeming depressed
by the poem. Pretty young. isn't it?'
he said. There must have been some
thing about your looks that got the
prize. Edith: can't believe the poem
did it,
She glanced hurriedly over her Shout
der and spoke sharply. but in a low
voice: Il don't think it's very nice of
you to bring it up at all, Bibbs. / didn't
want them to frame it, and | wish to
goodness papa'd quit talking about it;
but here. that night, after the dinner.
didn't he go and read it aloud to the
whole crowd of 'enI! | thought I'd die
of shamer'
Bibbs looked grieved. 1.-The poem
isn't that bad. Edith. You see. you
were only seventeen when you wrote
1T"
u.
It had burnt my fingers the first time
1 touched it. Then might have had
sense enough to leave it where it was
I had no business to take it. and I've
been ashamed"
mo. no." he said, comfortingly "It
was the very most fattering thing ever
happened to me. 1t was almost my
dast flight before | went to the machine
shop. and it's pleasant to think some
body liked it enough to"
but | don't like it," she exclaimed.
81 don't even understand it-and papa
made so much fuss over its getting the
prize. just hate it! The truth is
never dreamed it ID get the prize"
You have to live it down, Edith.
Perhaps abroad and under another
name you might find
oh. hush up! I'll hire someone to
steal it and burn it the first chance /
get She turned away petulantly.
moving to the door. I'D like to think
l could hope TO hear the last of it be-
fore dier'
Edith he called. as she went into
the hail.
What's the matter?"
Il want to ask you: DO really look
better. or have you just got used to
me?"
What on earth do you mean" she
said, coming back as far as the thresh-
cid.
When | first came you couldn't look
at me- Bibbs explained. in his mper-
sonal way. But Eve noticed you look
at me lately. wondered if I'd
Its because you look so much bet
ter she told him. cheerfully This
months you've been here's done you nc
end of good. Anybody could look al
you now. BibbS. and not-not GET
Sick -
'Weil-;tlmost that" she laughed
"And you're getting better color
every day. Bibbs; you really are
You're really getting along spiendidIy.
Tim afraid So" he said. ruefuHy
Afraid so! We'll. if you aren't the
queerest! | suppose you mean fathel
might send you back to the machin,
shop if you get well enough. | heart
him say something about it the night o
the" The jingle OF distant bell in
terrupted her. and she glanced at he
watch. Bobby Lamhorn! I'm goin,
10 UHOtOI uiin out 10 look at 4 place II
the country. Afternoon. Bibbs!'
When she had gone. Bibbs incomes
pessimisticalIy from shelf to shelf. hi
eye wandering among the titles of tn
books. The library consisted aImos
entirely of handsome uniform ed
tions." They made an effective dec
ration for the room. all these big. e,
pensive books, with glossy bindin
here and there twinkiing reflection q
the flames that cracked in the spiendi
Gothic fireplace.
There came chime of bells from
clock in another part of the house. an
white-jacket appeared beamingly
the doorway. bearing furs .Awread
Mist Bibbs." he announced ~Yo
ma say wrap up wawIn f. you rid
an she cain go with you today. an n,
fgit so see you pa at 70 clock A
ready. sub"
He equipped Bibbs for the dai
drive Doctor Quincy had commando
and in the manner of master of Ger
monies unctuously led the way. In Il
hall they passed the Moor. and Bib
paused before It while white-jack
opened The door With flourish al