The Ordway new era., 1916-09-29


thing?" she asked.
Nothing In the world. Father ana
mother have gone upstairs; shant
! be going up for several hours, anu
there didn't seem to be anybody left
for me to chat with except you and
Mr.. Lamhorn."
| "'Chat with'!' she echoed. incredu-
lousy.
~ can talk about almost anything
said Bibbs with an air OF genial polite
ness. 1T doesn't matter to me. l
don't know much about business-if
that's what you happened to be talking
about. But you aren't in business, are
you. Mr. Lamhorn?"
Not now," returned Lamhorn,
shortly.
I'm not. either" said Bibbs. at
WAS getting cloudier than usual. l no
| ticed. just before dark, and there was
wind from the southwest. Rain to-
morrow. l shouldn't be surprised"
he seemed TO feel that he had begun
4 conyersa ton the support OF which
had now become the pleasurablc duty
u other parties; and he sat expectant-
" looking first at his sister, then at
Iamhorn. as II Implying that it was
;hcir turn 10 speak. Edith returned
htS gaze with n mixture OF astonish-
Ueut and increasing anger, while Mr..
Ianhorn was obviously disturbed,
though Bibbs had been as conslderate
as possible in presenting the weather
"a 1 topic. BGbbS had perceived that
no ~ n his mind a
any time except "pCrsOnallticS"-he
could talk about people and he could
make love. Blbhs. wishing to be cour-
teolS, offered the weather.
Lamhorn refused It. and concluded
from Blbbs' luxurious attitude in the
leather chair that this half-crazy broth
er was n permanent fixture for the
rest of the evening There was no rea-
son to hope that lie would move. and
Lamhorn found himself in danger OF
looking silly.
Il was just going" he said. rising.
"Oh no." Edith cried, sharply.
"Yes. Good night. l think L"
TOO bad" said Blbbs, genlally,
walking to the door with the visitor,
while Edith stood staring as the two
disappeared in the hall. She heard !
Bibbs offering TO help" Lamhorn with |
his overcoat and the latter rather curt |
ly declining assistance, these episodes |
of departure being followed by the |
closing of the outer door She ran into |
the hall.
what's the matter with you?" she |
cried, furiously. what do you mean? |
How did you dare come in here when
you knew"
Her voice broke; she made n gesture
Of rage and despair, and ran up the |
stairs, sobbing. She fed to her moth
er's room, and when Bibbs came up,
few minutes later. Mrs. Sheridan met |
him at his door.
oh Bibbs," she said, shaking her |
head woefuly. you'd oughtn't to dis. |
tress your sister? She says you drove |
that young man out of the house You'd |
ought to been more considerate."
Bibbs smiled family, noting that |
EdIth's door was open. with Edith's
naive shadow motioness across its
Yes" he said. He doesn't |
appear to be much of a mans man.
He ran at just glimpse OF one"
Edith's shadow moved; her voice
came quaverIng: You call yourself
one?"
NO, no." he answered. 81 said Just
a glimpse OF one l didn't claim"
But her door slammed angrily; and he
turned to his mother.
There" he said, signing. That's
almost the first time in my life I ever
tried to be man of action, mother,
and I succeeded perfectly in what l
tried to do. AS a consequence l feel
like a horse thiefr'
You hurt her feelin's," she groaned
You must "a gone at it too rough,
Bibbs."
He looked upon her wanly. That's
my trouble, mother" he murmured
I'm a plain. blunt fellow. have
rough ways, and I'm rough man"
For once she perceived some mean
ing in his queerness. Hush your nom
sense" she said. good-naturedly, the
astral Of a troubled smile appearing.
You go to bed"
He kissed her and obeyed.
Edith gave him cold greeting the
next morning at the breakfast table.
You mustn't do that under n mis-
apprehension" he warned her, when
they were alone in the dining room.
DO what under what?' she asked.
Speak to me. l came into the
smoking room last night 'on purpose
he told her gravely. Il have a preju-
dice against that young man."
She laughed. II guess you think it
means a great deal who you have
pretudices againstr' In mockery she
adopted the manner Of one who i'm
plores- "Blbbs, for PHYS sake promise
me, don't use your influence with papa
against him" And she laughed louder.
Listen" he said, with peculiar earn