Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-05-28

/ coma DO that to you,- she sald, in a
4 low voice. mo. He's not kind. Fe
ought to be proud to help yon to the
leisure to write books; it should be nils
greatest privilege to have them pub
lished for YOU
"Can't you see 'him?' Bibbs inter
rupted, a faint. ripple Of hilarity in his
voice. mo. It's Just as well he never
got the But what's the use? I've
never. written anything. worth print
Ing. and l never SHALL"
"You, couldw she said:
that's because you've never seen
the poor little things I've tried to 90"
"You wouldn't let me, but l know
you could! All, it's. PITY"
1T isn't" said Bibbs honestly. Il
never could--bnt you're the kindest
lady in this world, Miss Vertrees."
She gave him flashing glance, and
it was as kind as he said she was.
THAT sounds, wrong" she said, I'M
pulsivcly. II mean Miss Vertrees.
I've thought of you BY your first name
ever since l met you. Wouldn't you
rather call me 'Mary'?
Bibbs was dazzled;. he, drew long,
deep, breath and did not speak.
"Wouldn't you?" she asked, without
a trace of coquetry.
"IfI can" he said. in a low voice.
"Ah. that's very pretty she
laughed. you're such an honest per-
son, it's pleasant to have you gallant
sometimes, by way Of variety" She
oecame grave again Immediately II
near myself laughing as If it were
som cone else. It sounds like laughter
on the eve Of great calamity" She
got up restlcssly, crossed the room and
leaned against the wall, facing him.
You've got to go back to that place."
He nodded.
Sand the other. time you did it.
"Just over IT, said Bibbs. 1.-TWO
years. But l don't mind the prospect
If a repetition so much as"
$50 much as whot?" she prompted,
Is he stopped.
Bibbs looked up. at her shyly. II
want to say it, but-but l come to a
dead balk when I try. L"
Go on. Say, it. whatever 1t is"
she babe him. you wouldn't know
low, to. say anything 1 shouldn't like"
Il doubt II. you'd either like or dis
like what l want to say" he returned,
moving uncomfortably in his chair and
looking at his feet-he seemed to feel
awkward, thoroughly. you see, all
ny. llfe-until met you-if | ever
felt like saying anything, l wrote it in:
stead. Saying. things is a new trick
for me, and this-well, it's just, this:
I. used to feel as, il I hadn't ever had
any sort Of d. life at all. Id never
been OF use to anything or anybody,
and I'd never had anything, myself,
except kid Of haphazard thinking.
But now it's, different-I'm~ still of no
use to anybody, and | don't see any
prospect OF being useful, but l have
had something for myself. I've had
a beautiful and happy experience, and
It makes my life seem to be- mean
Tm glad I've lived it! That's all; it's
your letting me be near you sometimes,
as. you have, this strange, beautiful,
happy little whilew
He did not once look up, and reached
silence. at the end. of.,what he lad: to
say, with eyes still awkwardly regard
ing his feet. She did not speak, but
a soft rustling Of hersgarments let him
know that she Lad gone back to her
chair again. The house was still; the
shabby old room was so quiet that the
sound Of a creaking in the wal!
seemed sharp and loud.
And yet, when Mary spoke at last
hel voice was; barely audible III .yor,
think it has becn--happy-to be
friends. with me-you'd want to-tt
make it last
"Yes.' gulped.
"Rut you make that kind Of speech
to me because you think it's. over" )
He tried to evade her. "Oh, a day
laborer can't come in his oyeralls--'"'. j:
No" she interrupted, with a sud
den sharpness, You said what yot
did because you think the shops goint
to kill YOU"
mo, no!' i
Eyes, you do think that" She rost
to her feet again and came and stool
before him. "Don't deny it, Bibbs
Well. if you meant what you said
and you did mean it, ! know it,
| yon're not going to go back to the san