The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1917-01-19

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write more than just a line to ask how
you were gettin' along. but I told Edith
to write, the weeks I couldn't, and l
asked Jim, too, and they both said
they would, SO suppose you've kept
up pretty well on the home news"
"Oh. yes"
what think you need" said the
mother, gravely. "is to liven up a little
and take an interest in things. That's
what papa was sayin' this morning
after we got your telegram; and that's
what'll stimulate your appetite, too
He was talkin' over his plans for
you"
plans" Bibbs, turning on his side
shielded his eyes from the light with
his hand. SO that he might see her bet
ter. What" He paused. what
plans is he making for me, mother?"
She turned away, going back to the
window to draw down the shade
"Well, you better talk 1t over with
him." she said, with perceptible nerv-
business. He better tell you himself
l don't feel as II l had any call, ex-
actly. to go into It: and you better get
to sleep now, anyway" She came and
stood by the bedside once more. "But
you must remember, Bibbs, whatever
papa does is for the best. He loves his
children and wants to do what's right
by all of 'em-and you'll always find
he's right in the end"
He made a little gesture Of assent
which seemed to content her; and she
rustled to the door. turning to speak
again after she had opened it. "You
get a good nap, now. SO as to be all
| rested up for tonight"
"You-you mean-he-" Bibbs STAN
mered, having begun to speak too
quickly. Checking himself, he drew a
long breath, then asked, quietly, "Does
father expect me to come downstairs
| this EVENING""
well, l think he does" she an
swered. "You see, it's the house
warming as he calls it. and he said he
thinks all our children ought to be
around US, as well as the old friends
and other folks. It's just what he
and liven up. You don't feel too bad
to come down, 90 your
"Mother?'
"Well?"
"Take a good look at me-" he sad,
"Oh see herer she cried with
brusk cheerfulness. You're not so
bad Off as you think you are. Bbbs.
You're on the mend. and 1t won't do
you any harm to please your"
hot h, 1ptn aJ
estly, I'm only afraid 1t might spoil
somebody's appetite. Edith"
Il told you the child was too sensi-
tive" she interrupted, in turn. You're
plenty good-lookin' enough young
man for anybody! You look like you
been through long spell and begun to
get well, and that's all there is to it."
"All right. I'll come to the party.
II the rest OF you can stand it, | cam
'Itll do you good" she returned,
rustling into the hall. "Now take a
| nap, and I'll send one O. the help to
wake you In time for you to get
| dressed up before dinner. You go to
sleep right away, now, Blbbs."
He woke refreshed. stretched him
self gingery-as one might have a care
against too quick or too long a pull
| upon frayed elastic-and. getting to
his feet. went blinking to the window
| and touched the shade so that it flew
up, letting in pale sunset.
He looked out into the lemon colorel
light and smiled wanly at the next
house, as Edith's grandiose phrase
came to mind. 'the old Vertrees coun-
try mansion" 1t stood in broad
lawn which was separated from the
| Sheridans' by young hedge and 1t
was big, square, plain old box Of a
house with a giant salt-celar atop for
cupola. Paint had been spared for a
long time, and no one could have put
a name to the color of it, but in spite of
that the place had no look of being
out at heel, and the sward was as
neatly trimmed as the Sheridans' own
| Directly opposite the window the
vertrees lawn had been graded so as
to make little knoll upon which stood
small rustic summer house." 1t
| was almost on level with Bibbs' win
dow and not thirty feet away Prob
ably the summer house" was pleasant
and pretty in summer. But now in
the thin light it was desolate. the color
of dust. and hung with haggard vines
which had lost their leaves.
Bibbs looked at 1t with grave sym-
pathy, probably feeling some kinship
with anything so dismantled then he
| turned to cheval glass beside the
|