The Ordway new era., 1916-11-24


family and Mary vertrees, whom
standing Just outside the door of
Bibhs' room. He hears 1t all.
So she started for Roscoe: but she
found out pretty quick he was married,
and she turned right around to Jim
and she landed him! There's no doubt
about 1t. she had Jim. and il he'd
lived you'd had another daughter-in-
law before this, as sure as stand here
telling you the Gods truth about it!
Well-when Jim was left in the ceme-
terry she was waiting out there to
drive home with Bibbs! Jim wasn't
cold-and she didn't know whether
Bibbs was insane or not, but he was
the only one Of the rich Sheridan boys
left. She had to get him
The texture of what was the truth
made an even fabric with what was
not. In Sibyps mind; she believed every
word that she uttered, and she spoke
with the rapidity and yehemence Of
fierce conviction.
What feel about it is" she said.
ut oughtn't to be allowed to 20 on.
It's too mean! l like poor Bibbs, and
l don't want to see him made such
fool OF. and / don't want to see the
family made such fool of! l like
poor Bibbs, but II he'd only stop TO
think minute himself he'd have TO
realize he isn't the kind of a man any
girl would be apt to fall In love with.
He's better looking lately. maybe, but
you know how he was-just kind of
long white rag in good clothes. And
girls like men with some go to EN-
some sort of dashingness, anyhow! No
body ever looked at poor Bibbs be-
fore. and neither'd she-no. sir! not
till she'd tried both Roscoe and Jim
first. 1t was only when her and her
family got desperate that she"
Bibbs-whiter than when he came
from the sanitarium-openedt the door.
He stepped across its threshold and
stood looking at her. Both women
screamed.
"Oh. good heavens cried Sibyl.
Were you in there? Oh. wouldn't"
She seized Mrs. Sheridan's arm, pull
ing her toward the stairway. Come
on. mother Sheridan" she urged, and
as the befuddled and confused lady
obeyed. Sibyl left trail OF noisy ex
clamations: Good gracious! oh.
wouldn't Too bad, | didn't dream
he was there, l wouldn't hurt his feel
lngs! Not for the world! OF course
he had to know some time. But. good
heavens"
She heard his door close as she and
Mrs. Sheridan reached the top OF the
stairs. and she glanced over her shout
der quickly. but Bibbs was not follow
Ing; he had gone back .nto his room.
"HAhe looked-oh. terrible bad"
stammered Mrs. Sheridan. Il
wish"
"Stiil. it's good deal better he
knows about It." said SibyL u
shouldn't wonde+ it might turn out the
very best thing could happened. Come
ouw
And completing their descent to the
library, the two made their appearance
to Roscoe and his father. SibyI at once
gave n full and truthful account OF
what had taken place. repeating ber
own remarks. and omittinG only the
fact that it was through her desigo
dat Bibbs had overheard them.
But as told mother Sheridan
1he said. in conclusion, lit might turn
out for the very best that he did bear
Just that way. Don't you think so.
father Sheridan?
He merely grunted in reply, and sat
rubbing the thick hair on the top of his
head with his left hand and looking at
the Hre. He had given no sign of be-
Ing impressed III any manner by her
exposure of Mary vertrees' character:
but his impassivity did not dismay
Sibyl-it was Bibbs whom she desired
to impress, and she was content in that
matter.
I'm sure 1t was all for the best" she
said. Its over now, and he knows
what she is. In one way think it was
lucky. because. just hearing thing
that way. a person can tell it's So
and he knows ! haven't got any AK to
grind except his own good and the
good of the family"
Airs. Sheridan went nervously to the
door aud stood there. looking toward
the stairway. II wish-l wish knew
what he was doin'." she said HE did
hook terrible bad. 1t was like some
thing bad been done to him that was
! don't know what. I never saw any
body look like he did. He looked--so
queer. It was like you'd" She called
down the hall. George
ssYes'm?"
'.were you up in Mr.. Gibbs room
inst now?''
Yes'm. He ring bell: tole me make
him nah IN his CRATE. done bull' him
sa6ee nah, reckon he ain feelin' SO
teen. Yes'm." He departed.
= cghAt 70 you expect he wants fire
err ~ asked. turning toward her
anA s..I.he house u warm - can