The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1917-02-23

not usually the result Of q drive home
from q funeral. No wonder the Sc
quence evaded Bibbs Sheridan!
His father had gone when he came
downstairs. "Went ON down to . ONCE,
jes' same" Jackson informed him.
Game sat breakfas' table, all by
'mself; ct nothin'. George bring nice
breakfas'. but he dim eat a thing.
Yessuh. went on downtown, jes' same
he yoosta do. Yessuh. I reckon putty
much ev'ything goin' ON same ~ It
yoosta do"
1t struck Bibbs that Jackson was
right The day passed as other days
had passed. Mrs. Sheridan and Edith
were In black, and Mrs. Sheridan cried
a little, now and then, but no other
external difference was to be seen.
Bibbs went for his drive, and his
mother went with him, as she some
times did when the weather was pleas
ant Altogether, the usualness of
things was rather startling to Bibbs.
During the drive Mrs. Sheridan
talked fragmentarily of Jim's child
hood. But you wouldn't remember
that" she said, after narrating an cpl
sode. "You were too little. He was
always a good boy, Just like that And
he'd save whatever papa gave him,
and put it In the bank. I reckon it'll
Just about kill your father to put some
body In his place as president Of the
Realty company, Bibbs. I know he
can't move Roscoe over; he told me
last week he'd already put AZ much on
Roscoe as any one man could handle
and not go crazy. Oh, it's a pity"
She stopped to wipe her eyes. "It's 4
pity you didn't run more with Jim,
Bibbs, and kind o. pick up his ways.
Think what it'd meant to papa now!
You never did run with either Roscoe
or Jim any, even before you got sick.
OF course you were younger; but 1t
always did seem Queer-and you three
bein' brothers like that. I don't be-
lieve ever saw you and Jim sit down
together for a good talk in my life"
Mother. I've been away 80 long,"
Bibbs returned, gently. "And since I
came home L He was busy, you see,
and hadn't much to say about the
things that interested him, because I
don't know much about them"
"It's . pityl oh, it's a pityr' she
moaned. "And you'll have to learn to
know about 'em now. Bibbs. I
haven't said much to you. because I
felt it was all between your father ana
you, but honestly do believe 1t win
Just kill him IL he has to have any
more trouble on top Of all this! You
mustn't let him, Bibbs-you mustn't!
You don't know how he's grieved over
you, and now he can't stand any more
he just can't! Whatever he says for
you to do. you do 1t. Bibbs. you do it!
I want you to promise me you will"
I would II I could" he said, sor-
rowfully.
"No. no! Why can't you" she
cried, clutching his arm. "He wants
you to go back to the machine shop
and all on earth he asks is for you to
go back in a cheerful spirit. SO 1t won't
hurt you! That's all he asks. Look,
Bibbs, we're gettin' back near home,
but before we get there want you to
promise me that you'll do what he
asks you to. Promise me!'
In her earnestness she cleared away
her black veil that she might see him
better, and 1t blew out on the smoky
wind. He readjusted it for her before
he spoke.
"I'll go back in as cheerful a spirit
as 1 can, mother" he said.
"There!" she exclaimed, satisfied.
That's good boy! That's all want
ed you to say"
Don't give me any credit" he said,
ruefully. ''There isn't anything else
for me to DO"
mo. don't begin talkin' that way"
mo, no." he soothed her. "We'll
have to begin to make the spirit
cheerful one. We may" They were
turning into their own driveway as he
spoke, and he glanced at the old house
next door. Mary Vertrees was visible
in the twilight, standing upon the front
steps, bareheaded, the door open be-
hind her. She bowed gravely.
"'We may'-what?" asked Mrs.
Sheridan, with a slight impatience.
"What is 1t mother"
"Of all the queer bUysw she cried.
"You always were. Always! You
haven't forgot what you just promised
me, have you"
NO" he answered, as the car
stopped. "No, the spirit will be as
cheerful as the flesh will let it, mother.
1t won't do to behave like"
His voice was low, and in her move
ment to descend from the car she
failed to hear his final words.
nh