The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1917-02-02
CHAPTER WI Continued,

"Bibbs. Edith's voice was angry,
and her color deepened suddenly as
she came into the room. preceded by
scent Of violets much more powerful
than that warranted by the actual
bunch OF them upon the lapel OF her
GOAT
wagged 1t solemnly, seeming depressed
by the poem. Pretty young, isr't it?"
be said. There must have been some
thing about your looks that got the
prize, Edith; can't believe the poem
did it."
She glanced hurriedly over her shoul-
der and spoke sharply, but In low
voice: II don't think It's very nice Of
you to bring 1t up at all, Bibbs. l didn't
want them to frame 1t. and l wish to
goodness papa'd quit talking about it;
but here, that night, after the dinner,
didn't he go and read 1t aloud to the
whole crowd OF 'em! I thought I'd die
" shame"
Blbbs looked grieved. "The poem
ISN'T that bad, Edith. You see, you
were only seventeen when you wrote
It."
"Oh, hush up" she snapped. II wish
1t had burnt my fingers the first time
I touched it. Then | might have had
sense enough to leave 1t where 1t was.
I had no business to take it, and I've
been ashamed"
mo, no." ne said, comfortingly. ut
vas the very most dattering thing ever
40 n1 10 a u
last flight before l went to the machine
phop, and It's pleasant to think some
body liked it enough to"
"But don't like it, she exclaimed
y don't even understand it-and papa
made SO much fuss over its getting the
prize. l just hate it. The truth is
never dreamed it ID get the prize
You have to live 1t down, Edith.
Perhaps abroad and under another
name you might find"
"Oh, hush up! I'll hire someone to
steal 1t and burn 1t the first chance
get" She turned away petulantly.
moving to the door. I'D like to think
I could hope to hear the last of it be-
fore die!"
Edith. he called, as she went into
he hall
What's the matterl'
~ want to ask you: Do really look
better, or have you just got used to
me7'
What on earth do you mean?" she
said, coming back as far as the thresh-
old
When first came you couldn't look
at me-" Bibbs explained, in his imper-
sonal way. But I've noticed you look
at me lately. l wondered If I'd"
Its because you look so much bet
ter" she told him, cheerfully. This
month you've been here's done you no
end of good. Anybody could look at
you now Bibbs. and not-not get"
Sick
"WelI-aImost thatw she laughed
"And you're getting better color
every day, Bibbs; you really are
You're really getting along splendidly."
lin afraid So" he said, ruefully
Afraid SO. Well, II you aren't the
queerest! l suppose you mean father
might send you back to the machine
shop II you get we'll enough. l heard
him say something about it the night of
the" The jingle of a distant bell in
tesrupted her. and she glanced at her
watch. Bobby Lamhorn! I'm going
b motor him out to look at place in
the country. Afternoon, Bibbsv'
When she had gone. Bibbs mooned
pessirnisticalIy from shelf to shelf. his
eye wandering among the titles Of the
books. The library consisted almost
entirely Of handsome uniform edi-
IONS" They made an effective deco
estioD for the room, all these big, e.
Densive books, with glossy binding
hero and thsre twinkhng 4 reflection Of
- flames that cfaekisd in the splendid
so0e 1suDaDsD.