The Idaho Springs siftings-news. (Idaho Springs, Colo.) 1905-19??, 1917-05-04
The Turmoil
BOOTH HARRINGTON
CHAPTER xxxM (contlnusd).

OopgTishs MA b.
CHAPTER xxxil (contlnusd).
IL
Old Man Sheridan. nightly pleased
with 0lhbs, hes gone to Mary vertrees
wild, ths purpose Of ''hxlns up" the
.Yroubie~ bst~ssn her and hls son.
He waass 70 So the young folks
happy.
Pm sorry," said Mary. ~ hoped
you'd come because we're neighbors."
He ehuekled. "Neighbors! Some
times people don't see 80 much o their
neighbors as they used to. That II,
hear so-Ately."
"You'n stay long enough to cit down,
won't jour
Il gDeas could manage that
much" And they sat down, facing
each other and not far apart
"Of course, It couldn't be called bust
ness, exactly" he said. more gravely.
Not at ALL I expect. But there's
something o yours it seemed to me
ought to give you. and just thought
It was better to bring 1t myself and
explain how happened to have It It's
this-this letter you wrote my boy"
He extended the letter to her solemnly.
in his left hand. and she took 1t gently
from him. 1T was in his mail, after
he was hurt You knew he never got
it, 1 expect"
Yes" she said. in 4 low voice.
He sighed. I'm glad he didn't
Not" he added, Quickly-'notb but what
you did just right to send it. You did.
You couldn't acted any other way
when it came right down to it. There
amt any blame comm to you-you
were aboveboard all through"
Mary said, Thank you," almost in
a whisper, and with her head bowed
low.
You'll have to excuse me for readin'
It. I had to take charge of all his
mail and everything; didn't know
the handwrltin', and read it all-once
got started"
I'm glad you did"
"Welp-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 she
seemed not to be aware of this glance,
and sat with her eyes fixed sorrowfully
upon the floor.
"Well, l expect 1 better be gettin'
Jack to the Office" he said, rising des-
perately. 81 told told my partner
I'd be back at two o'clock. and guess
hell think I'm a poor business man
II he catches me behind time. l got
to walk the chalk a mighty straight
line these days-with that fellow keep
In tabs on me!''
Mary rose with him. 1--WE always
heard you were the hard driver"
He guffawed derisively. me? I'm
nothin' to that partner O. mine. You
couldn't guess to save your life how
he keeps after me to hold up my end
o the job. | shouldn't be surprised
he'd give me the grand bounce some
day, and run the whole circus himself.
You know how he is-once he goes at
a thingy
NO." she smiled. II didn't know
you had partner. I'd always heard
He laughed, looking away from her.
ITS just my way O. speakin' o that
boy O. mine Bibbs."
He stood then. expectant, staring out
into the hail with an air Of careless
geniality. He felt that she certainly
must say at least, How is Bibbs?" but
she said nothing at all, though he wait
ed until the silence became embarrass-
ing.
We'll, l guess l better be gettin'
down there" he said, at last. He
might worry"
"Goodby-and thank you" said Mary.
For what?"
For the letter."
oh" he said, blankly. You're
welcome. Goodby."
Mary put out her hand. "Goodby."
You'll have to excuse my left hand"
he said. II had a little accident to the
other one"
She gave a plying cry as she saw.
ooh, poor Mr.. Sheridan"
''Nothin' at all! Dictate everything
nowadays, anyhow" He laughed
1ovially. did anybody tell you how
1t happenedT
II heard you hurt your hand, but
uo-not Just how"
ut was this way" he began, and
both, ~ If unconsciously, sat down
again. "You may not know 1t, but l
used to worry a good deal about the
youngest O. my boys-the one that
used to come to see you sometimes,
after Um-that Is, mean Bibbs. He's
the one spoke Of as my partner; and
the truth 10 that's what it's Just about
goin' to amount to, one O. these days
II his health holds out. Well, you re-