The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-09-21
CHAPTER xxx.

woman, placid OF face; black-clau,
thin young man, whose expression was
one of habltual anxiety, habltual wari-
ness and habitual eagerness. He pro-
PEELED a perambulator containing the
thlrd-and all three were newly
cleaned. Sundayfed. and made ht to
dine with the wites relatives.
How'd you like for me to be that |
young fella, mamma?" the husband |
whispered. He's one OF the sons, and |
there amt but two left now"
The wife stared curiously at Bibbs. |
well. | don't know" she returned
HE looks to me like he had his own
troubles"
II expect he has. like anybody else"
said the young husband, but l guess
we could stand a good deal IL we had
his money"
well. maybe, II you keep on the
way you been. baby II be as well fixed
as the Sherldans. You can't tell" She
glanced back at Bibbs. who had turned
north. He walks kind OF slow and
stopped over. like"
80 much money In his pockets II
makes hin sag, guess" said the
young husband. with bitter admira-
ton.
Mary, happening to glance from a
window, saw Blbbs coming, and she
started, clasping her hands together
in n sudden alarm. She met him at
the door.
"Bibbsr' she cried. "What is the
matter2 saw something was terribly
wrong when l. You look" She
paused, and he came in, not lifting his
eyes to hers. Always when he crossed
that threshold he had come with his
head up aud his wistful gaze seeking
hers. "Ah. poor boy!" she said, with
gesture Of understanding and pity. 81
know what 1t ISL
He followed her into the room where
they always sat, and sank into chair.
You needn't tell me-" she said.
They've made you give up. Your IA
Tiers won-you're going to do what
he wants. You've given up"
Still without looking at her, he In
cllned his head in affirmation.
She gave a little cry OF compassion.
and came and sat near him. "Bibbs,"
she said, 81 can be glad OF one thing,
though it's selfish. | can be glad you
came straight to me. It's more to me
than even IL you'd come because you
: were happy" She did not speak again
; for a little while; then she said:
"Blbbs-dear-could you tell me about
: It? Do you want tot"
Still he did not look up, but In n
voice. shaken and husky, he asked her
question 30 grotesque that at first she
!, thought she had misunderstood his
j words.
t Mary" he said, could you marry
: meT
what did you say, Bibbsf" she
! asked, quietly.
His tone and attitude did not change
"Will you marry meT
Both her hands leaped to her cheeks
l. she grew red and then white. She
3 rose slowly and moved backward from
him. staring at him, at first incred
| ulously, then with an intense perplex
| ity more and more luminous In he
| wide eyes; 1t was like spoken ques
/ ton. The room iled with strange
/ ness in the long silence-the two wer'
1 so strange to each other. At last sh'
/ said:
| what made you say thatT
| He did not answer.
| "Bibbs, look at mel" Her voice wa
j loud and clear. what made you sa.
! that? Look at me-"
| He could not look at her, and h
4 could not speak.
I What was 1t that made your" sh
said. 81 want you to tell me-"
| She went closer to him, her eye
ever brighter and wider with that In
tensity Of wonder. you've given u
4 to your father" she said. slowly
l "and then you come to ask me" Sh
\ broke Off. "Bibbs. do you want me I
Il marry you"
1 Yes" he said. just audibly.
Nor she cried. "You do not The
4 what made you ask me? What is
that's happenedT
| Nothing"
| "Walt," she said. Let me thlnl
| It's something that happened since on
walk this morning-yes. since you lei
| me at noon. something happene
! that" She stopped abruptly, with
tremulous murmur of amazement an
dawning comprehension. She remen
bered that Sibyl had gone to the ne'
house.
:, Bibbs swallowed painfully and col
triyed to say, 81 dol do want you I
C. marry me, if-if-you could"
he She looked at him, and slowly shoe
r. her head. "Blbbs, do you" H'
Mt voice was as unsteady as his-litt
nd more than a whisper. "Do you thin
DC I'm-in love with your
mo" he said.
ut Somewhere in the still air OF II
rn room there was a whispered word;
le, did not seem to come from Mary
er parted lips, but he was aware of
". "Why?"