Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-05-11


ly not"'
YES. and two other sSings OF that
kind don't know W., But, after
all. wondered II th.y we're so bad.
Well, then. mamma. managed not to
feel superior to Mr.. James Sheridan.
Jr., because he didn't see anything out
of place in the Sheridan building In
sugar"
Mrs. vertrees' expression bad lost
none of its anxiety and she shook her
head gravely. My dear. dear child"
she said. ''it seems to me- II looks
I'm afraid"
Say as much OF 1t as you can,
mamma" said Mary. encouragingly. 81
can get 1t. If you'll just give me one
keyword.'
Everything you say" Mrs. Yer
trees began, tlmidly, seems to have
the air Of 1t is as II you were seek
ing toto make yourself"
'Oh. see! You mean | sound as IL
were trying to force myself to like
him."
Not exactly. Mary. That wasn't
quite what | meant" said Mrs. Yer
trees. speaking direct untruth with per-
feet Inconsistencies. But you said
that-that you found the latter part
Of the evening at young Mrs. Sheri-
dams unentertaining-"
"And as Mr.. James Sheridan was
there, aud saw more Of him than at
dinner, and had horribly stupid time
in spite Of that, you think l." And
then 1t was Mary who left the deduc-
ton unfinished.
both the mother and the daughter I'M
derstood. Mary felt 1t better to make
the understanding definite.
Well she asked. gravely, lis there
anything else l can do? You and papa
don't want me to do anything that dis
tresses me. and so. as this is the only
thing, to be done, it seems it's up to me
not to let 1t distress me. That's all
there is about it, isn't it?''
But nothing must distress you"
the mother cried.
That's what sayr' said Mary.
cheerfully. "And so 1t doesn't. It's
all right" She rose and took her cloak
over her arm, as IL to go to her own
room. But on the way to the door she
stopped, and stood leaning against the
foot of the bed, contemplating thread
bare rug at her feet. Mother, you've
told me a thousand times that 1t doesn't
really matter whom girl marrles."
mo, nor Mrs. Vertrees protested. 81
never said such "a"
"No. not In words: mean what you
meant It's true, isn't 1t. that marriage
really is not bed of roses, but field
Of battle? TO get right down to 1t.
girl could fight 1t out with anybody,
couldn't she? One man as well as an
other?"
MARY. can't bear for you to talk
like that" And Mrs. vertrees lifted
pleading eyes to her daughter--eyes
that begged to be spared. 1T sounds
almost reckless
Mary caught the appeal, came to her,
and kissed her gayly. "Neyer fret,
dear! I'm not likely to do anything
don't want to--rve always been too
thorough-golng a little pig.
She gave her mother final kiss and
went gayly all the way to the door this
time, pausing for her postscript with
her hand on the knob. "Oh. the one
that caught me looking in the window,
mamma, the youngest one"
did he speak of it?" Mrs. vertrees
asked, apprehensively.
mo. He didn't speak at all. that
saw, to anyone didn't meet him.
But he isn't insane. I'm sure: or If he
is. he has long intervals when he's not.
Mr. James sheridan mentioned that he
lived at home when he was well
enough; and It may be he's only an in
valid. He looks dreadfully i'll, but
he has pleasant eyes, and 1t struck me
that Tiff one were In the Sheridan
family"-she laughed a little ruefully
The might be interesting to talk to
sometimes, when there was too much
stocks and bonds. didn't see him aft
er dinner"
There must be something wrong
with him." said Mrs. Vertrees. They'd
have introduced him IL there weren't"
81 don't know. His father spoke OF
sending him back to machine shop
OF some Sort glanced at him just
then and he was pathetic-looking
enough before that but the most tragic
change came over him. He seemed
just to die. right there at the table"
"Mr. Sheridan must be very unfeel-
ing"
mo" said Mary, thoughtfully. 81
don't think he is; but he might be IN
comprehending, and certainly he's the
kind of man to do anything he once
sets out to do. But wish hadn't been
looking at that poor boy just then!
I'm afraid I'll keep remembering"
II wouldn't" Mrs. yertrees smiled
family, and in her smile there was the
remotest ghost of a genteel roguish.
ness. "I'd keep my mind on pleasanter
things. Mary"
Mary laughed and nodded. Eyes. in
deed! Plenty pleasant enough. and
probably. If all were known, too good
even for me!'
And when she had gone Mrs. Yer
trees drew long breath, as if bur
den were off her mind, and, smiling,
began to undress in gentle reverie.
CHAPTER WI.