The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1916-06-06

could do that to you" she said, in d
low voice. mo. He's not kind. He
ought to be proud to help you to the
leisure to write books; it should be mis-
greatest privilege to have them pub
lished for you
Cant you see him?" Bibbs inter-
rupted, 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 couldv she said.
That's because you've never seen
the poor little things I've tried to do"
you wouldn't let me, but 1 know
you could All, it's a pityr
ut isn't" said Bibbs, honestly. 81
never could-but 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
puIsively. Il mean Miss Vertrees.'
I've thought of you by your first name
ever since 1 met you. Wouldn't you
rather call me 'Mary'?''
Bibbs was dazzled; he drew a long,
deep breath and did not speak.
wouldn't you?" she asked, without
trace of coquetry.
IF l canr' he said, In low voice.
"Ah, that's very prettyr' she
laughed. You're such an honest per-
son, it's pleasant to have you gallant
sometimes, by way Of variety" She
became grave again Immediately. 81
hear myself laughing as II 1t were
someone else 1t sounds like laughter
on the eve Of a great calamity" She
got up restlessly, crossed the room and
leaned against the wall, facing him.
you've got to go back to that place"
He nodded.
"And the other time you did it"
"Just over it," said Bibbs. 1.-TWO
years. But l don't mind the prospect
Of repetition so much as"
$50 much as what?" she prompted,
as he stopped.
Bibbs looked up at her shyly. 81
want to say it, but-but come to a
dead balk when 1 try. L"
go on. Say, 1T, whatever 1t is"
she babe him. You wouldn't know
how to say anything shouldn't like"
II 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
my life-until l met you'll ever
felt like saying anything, wrote 1t in
stead. Saying things is q new trick
for me, and this-well it's just this:
l used to feel as If l hadn't ever had
any sort of a life at all. I'd never
been of use to anything or anybody,
and I'd never had anything, myself,
except a kind of haphazard thinking.
But now it's different-I'm still of no
use to anybody, and l don't see any
prospect Of being useful, but have
had something for myself. I've had
a beautiful and happy experience, and
it makes my life seem to bel mean
I'm 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 while!'
He did not once look up, and reached
silence, at the end of what he had to
say, with eyes still awkwardly regard
4 ing his feet. She did not speak, but
a soft rustling of her garments let him
, know that she had gone back to hel
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
8 her voice was barely audible. "If yo'
think it has been-happy-to b
friends with me-you'd want tot
= make it last"
e Yes" he gulped.
"But you make that kind of speec
to me because you think it's over"
9 He tried to evade her. ooh, a da
e laborer can't come in his overalls-"
u mo" she interrupted, with a sue
1 den sharpness. "You said what 20
n did because you think the shops gon
d to kill you"
h mo, mop
1 Eyes, you do think thatw She ros
n to her feet again and came and stoo
lie before him. Don't deny it, Bib
n Well, if you meant what you said
8 and you did mean it, 1 know i'll
!, you're not going to go back to the sal
n itarium. The shop shan't hurt 20
Il 1t shan'tr'
4 And now Bibbs looked up. She stoC
II before him, straight and tall, splend
/ in generous strength, her eyes shiniI
II and wet.
II IF / mean that much to you" 81
II cried, they can't harm you! Go ba'
n to the shop-but come to me wit
II your days work is done. Let the m
Va chimes crash their sixty-eight times
D minute, but remember each crash tn
deafens you is that much nearer t
evening and mer'
A He stumbled to his feet. ''You say
he gasped.
EVERY evening, dear Bibbsv