The Ordway new era., 1916-08-25
The Turmoil
II BOOTH HARRINGTON
BOOTH HARRINGTON
(Copyright 1913, By Harper q Brothers)

, haven't had scarcely even time t.
: write more than just a line to ask how
you were gettin' along but told Edit
to write. the weeks l couldn't, and
asked Jim. too, and they both sale
they would. so l suppose you've kept
up pretty well on the home news"
"Oh. yes
what l think you need" said the
mother, gravely. sis to liven up little
and take an interest in things. That's
what papa was sayin' this morning,
after we got your telegram; and that's
what'll stimulate your appetite, too
He was talkin' over his plans for
YOU"
"Plans?" Bibbs, turning on his side,
shielded his eyes from the light with
his hand. SO that he might see her bet
ter what" He paused. what
plans is he making for me, mother?'
she turned away. going back to the
window to draw down the shade
We'll. you better talk It over with
him." she said, with perceptible nerv-
BUSINESS He better tell you himself.
l don't feel as il had any call, ex
actly. to go into it: and you better get
to sleep now. anyway" She came and
stood by the bedside once more. But
you must remember Bibbs, whatever
| papa does is.for the best He loves his
children and wants to do what's right
by all Of 'em-and you'll always find
he's right in the end"
He made a little gesture Of assent,
which seemed to content her; and she
rustled to the door. turning to speak
again after she had opened it. You
get a good nap. now. so as to be all
rested up for tonight"
"You-you mean-he-" Bibbs STAN
mered. having begun to speak too
quickly. Checking himself he drew a
long breath, then asked. quietly. Does
this EVENING""
well. think he does" she an
swered. you see, it's the house |
warming as he calls 1t. and he said he |
thinks all our children ought to be |
around us, as well as the old friends
and other folks. It's just what he
thinks you need-to take an interest
and liven up. You don't feel too bad
to come down, do your"
"Mother?'
"well?"
Take a good look at me-" he said
"Oh. see here she cried with
brusk cheerfulness. You're not so
bad Off as you think you are. Bibbs
You're on the mend. and it won't do
you any harm to please your
1T isn't that" he interrupted. Hon
estly, I'm only afraid it might spoil
somebody's appetite. Edith"
Il told you the child was too sensi-
tive" she interrupted. in turn. You're
a plenty good-lookin' enough young
man for anybody. You look like you
been through long spell and begun to
get well, and that's all there is to it,"
"All right I'll come to the party.
If the rest of you can stand 1t, can"
It'll do you good" she returned.
rustling into the hall Now take a
nap. and I'll send one O. the help to
wake you in time for you to get
dressed up before dinner. You 60 to
sleep right away. now. Bsbbsw
He woke refreshed. stretched him
self Gingerly-as one might have a care
against too quick or too long a pull |
upon frayed elastic-and, getting to
his feet, went blinking to the window
and touched the shade so that it flew
up, letting in pale sunset
He looked out into the lemon-colorel
light and smiled wanly at the next
house, as Edith's grandiose phrase
came to mind, "the old vertrees coun.
try mansion" 1t stood In broad
lawn which was separated from the |
Sheridans' by n young hedge; and 1t |
was big, square, plain old box of q |
house with giant salt-cellar atop for |
cupola. Paint had been spared for |
long time, and no one could have nut |
name to the color of 1t, but in spite of |
that the place had no look of being
out at heel, and the sward was as
neatly trimmed as the Sheridans' own.
Directly opposite the window the
Vertrees' lawn had been graded so as
to make little knoll upon which stood
a small rustic Summer Aouse." 1t
was almost on level with Bibbs win
dow and not thirty feet away. Prob
ably the summer house, was pleasant
and pretty In summer. But now in
the thin light it was desolate, the color
OF dust, and hung with haggardtyines
which had lost their leaves.
Bibbs looked at it with grave SYM
pathy, probably feeling some kinsbip
with anything so dismantled; then he
turned to cheval glass beside the