The Elk Mountain pilot., 1917-01-04

famtIy ana mary Vertrees, Whom
Bibbs loves. Tho two women are
standing just outside the door Of
BIbbs' room. He hears It 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 If he'd
lived you'd had another daughter-1n-
law before this, as sure as stand here
telling you the Gods truth about 1t!
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 Sibyrs mind; she believed every
word that she uttered, and she spoke
with the rapidity and vehemence of
fierce conviction.
what / feel about It is," she said,
ut oughtn't to be allowed to go on.
It's too mean! l like poor Bibbs. and
don't want to see him made such a
fool Of and I don't want to see the
family made such a fool of! l like
poor Bibbs, but IL he'd only stop to
think a 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 60 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 heavensv' cried Sibyl.
Were you in there? Oh, l 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 n trail of noisy ex-
clamations: Good gracious! oh. l
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 shoul.
der quickly. but Bibbs was not follow
ing; he had gone back into his room.
"He-he looked-oh. terrible badv
stammered Mrs. Sheridan. IL
wish"
"Still, it's q good deal better he
knows about IT," said Sibyl. 81
shouldn't wonder 1t might turn out the
very best thing could happened. Come
on!"
And completing their descent to the
library, the two made their appearance
to Roscoe and his father. Sibyl at once
gave a full and truthful account of
what had taken place. repeating her
own remarks. and omitting only the
fact that it was through her design
si,at Bibbs had overheard them.
But as l told mother Sheridan"
zhe said, in conclusion. ''it might turn
put for the very best that he did hear
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 fire. He had given no sign of be-
ing impressed in 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 1t was
lucky, because. just hearing thing
that way, a person can tell it's So
and he knows l haven't got any az to
grind except his own good and the
good Of the family"
Mrs. Sheridan went nervously to the
door and stood there. looking toward
the stairway. II wish-I wish knew
what he was doin'," she said. He did
look terrible bad. 1t was like some
thing had been done to him that was
don't know what l never saw any
body look like he did. He looked-so
queer. 1t was like you'd" She called
down the hall, "Georger'
"Yesm?"
Were you up in Mr.. Bibbs' room
Just now?"
"Yesm. He ring bell; tole me make
him fab in his CRATE. done bull him
nice fab. 1 reckon he ain feelin' SO
well. Yes'm." He departed.
What do you expect he wants fire
for?' she asked. turning toward her
husband. THE house is warm as can