Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1916-06-08

Mary, without more ado, got into the
coupe and Bibbs followed, closing the
door.
you're very kind" she said, some
what breathlessly. Il should have had
to walk, and it's beginning to get dark.
It's three miles, | think"
Yes said Bibbs. Tit is begin
ming to get dark. II noticed that"
II ought to tell you'll" Mary be-
gan, confusedly. She bit her lip, sat
silent moment, then spoke with COM
posure. ut must seem odd, my"
''No, mop Bibbs protested, earnestly.
"Not in them the least"
at does, though" said Mary. 81
had not intended to come to the GENE
terry, Mr.. Sheridan, but one of the men
in charge at the house came and whis-
pered to me that the family wished me
to- think your sister sent him. So
| came. But when we reached here
I--oh, I felt that perhaps /"
Bibbs nodded gravely. eyes, yes, %
he murmured.
Il got out on the opposite side of
the carriage" she con tinued. Il mean
opposite from-from where all of you
were. And I wandered off over in the
other direction; and I didn't realize
how little time-it takes. From where
| was / couldn't see the carriages leav-
ing-at least | didn't notice them. So
,yrhn T ho
the only one here. | didn't know the
other people in the carriage [ came in,
and of course they didn't think to wait
for me. That's why"
EYES," said Bibbs, Ct And that
seemed all he had to say just then.
Mary looked out through the dusty
window. Il think we'd better be go
ing home, if you please" she said
She gave him a quick little glance.
II think you must be very tired Mr.
Sheridan; and | know you have reason
to be-" she said gently. IF you'll let
me, I'll And without explaining
her purpose she opened the door on the
side of the coupe and leaned out.
Bibbs stared in blank perplexity, not
knowing what she meant to do.
'Driver!" she called, in her clear
voice, loudly. Driver! We'd like to
start, please. Driver! Stop at the
house just north of Mr.. Sheridan's,
please" The wheels began to move,
and she leaned back beside Bibbs once
more. Il noticed that he was asleep
when we got in" she said. Il suppose
they have great deal of night work"
Bibbs drew a long breath and wait
ed till he could command his voice.
1--WE never been able to apologize
quickly" he said, with his accustomed
slowness, because if l try to l STAN
mer. My brother Roscoe whipped me
once, when we were boys, for stepping
on bis slate pencil. 1t took me so long
to tell him it was an accident, he fin
ished before I did"
Mary Vertrees had never heard any
thing quite like the drawing, gentle
voice or the odd implication that his
not noticing the motionless state Of
their vehicle was an ''accident." At
once she discovered that he was unlike
any Of her cursory and vague imagin-
ings Of him. And suddenly she had a
glimpse of Bibbs' life and into his life
She had a queer feeling, new to her
experience, of knowing him instantly.
1t startled her little; she did not
realize, however. that she had made
no response to his apology, and they
passed out of the cemetery gates, nei-
Their having spoken again.
Bibbs was so content with the 81
lence he did not know that it was ST
lence. The dusk, gathering in their
small Enclosure, was filled with a rich
presence for him; and presently it was
SO dark that neither Of the two could
see the other, nor did even their gar
ments touch. But neither had any
sense Of being alone. The wheels
creaked steadily, rumbling presently
on paved streets; there were the
plod-plod of the horses. Oblongs Of
light came lancing into the coupe, and
passed, leaving greater darkness. And
yet neither of these two last attend
ants at Jim Sheridan's funeral broke
the silence.
1t was Mary who perceived the
StrangenesS of it-tOo late. Abruptly
she realized that for an indefinite in