The Ordway new era., 1916-12-08

with the purpose Of liking up the
"trouble" between her and his son.
He wants to see the young folks
nsppy.
"Pm sorry" saLd Mary. ~ hoped
you'd come because we're neighs0-s-
He chuckled. @Neishbors. Some
times people don't see so much o their
Heighbors as they used to. That is |
hear so-tateiy."
wont your
Il guess could manage that
much" And they sat down. facing
each other and not far apart
"Of course, II couldn't be called bust
ness. exactly" he said. more grayely
Not at all. | expect. But ttere's
something O. yours Il seemed to ms
ought to give you. and just thought
1t WAS better to bring 1t myself snt
explain how happened to have IL It's
this-this letter you wrote my boy
He extended the letter TO her so!emnly
In bis left hand. and she took ii gently
from him. 1T WIS in his mail. after
he WAS hurt You knew be neyer got
1t. expect"
Yes" she said- in low voice
lie sighed I'm glad he didn't
Not" he added. quickly--uot but what
you did just right to send il. You did
You couldn't acted any other way
when 1t came right down TO Il There
amt any blame comm to you-yOu
were aboveboari all through
Mary said, Thank you" almost in
whisper. and with her head bowed
low.
you'll have to excuse me for readin'
IT, had to take charge OF all his
mail and everything: | didn't know
the handwritin'. and read 1t all-once
] got started
I'm glad you did"
"weir'-he leaned forward as II
to rise-"I guess that's about all
just thought you ought TO have It"
Thank you for bringing it"
He looked at her hopefully. as II
he thought and wished that she might
have something more TO say. But sh-.
seemed not to be aware OF this glance.
and sat with her eyes a1ed sorrowfuIIy
upon the door
W ell. 1 expert pttttI De -tAl4H
back to the office" he said. rising des-
y.erately. II told told my partner
I'd be back at two O'Clock. and guess
he'll think I'm poor business man
n he catches me behind time. got
10 walk the chalk mighty straight
line these dsys-with that fellow keep
Ia tabs on mer'
Mary rose with him. T've always
heard you were the hard driver"
He gufYa Sed derisiyely. "Me? I'm
eoitdn' to that partner o. mine. You
couldn't guess to save your life how
ne keeps after me to hold up my end
d the Jo5. shouldn't be surprised
te'd give me the grand bounce some
day. and run the whole circus himself
You know how he is-oDce he goes at
thingr'
mo" she smiled. ~ didn't know
ysu had partner I'd always heard"
He laughed. looking away from her
"Ifs just my way O. apeakin' O. that
boy o. mine. Bibbs."
He stood then. expectant. staring out
Into the ball with an air Of careless
geniality He felt that she certainly
HBust say ~ IeuStt no" ID DiDDss oht
she said nothing at all, though he wait
ed until the silence became embarrass
Ing.
swell. I guess | better be gettin
down there" he said, at last. HE
might worry"
''Goodby---and thank you said Mary
"For what?"
sror the letter"
oh" he said. blankIy. You're
welcome. Goodby"
Mary put out her hand. "Goodby."
you'll have to excuse my left hand"
he said. II had little accident to the
other one
She gave pitying cry as she saw.
"Dh. poor Mr.. Sheridan!'
"NOthin' at all. Dictate everything
sswadays, anyhow He laughed
1Oyiaiiy. did anybody tell you how
It happenedT
ao--not just how"
ut WAS this way" he began, and
both, ss II unconsciously. sat down
again. You may not know 1t, but
0sed IN worry good deal about the
youngest o. my boys-the one that
Hsed to come to see you sometimes,
after Jlm-that is. I mean Bibbs. He's
she one spoke OF as my partner: and
tie truth ID that's what IT'S Just about
goia' to amount to. one o. these days
II his health holds ont. Well. you re-
mefnber. I expect, ! bad him on a
nsAc1ins ever at plant O. mine: and
aenstimes I'd kind O sneak in there
An6 - how he was gettin' along.
Tak1a ADetss with me sometimes. be-
Il IVnnD n1l1D never was % robust, you
4 tplk 1es or Toc Garn<y--I guess
f1Jo9 snew hinf Tali. thin man;