| Show n CAe I TURMOIL A BOOTH BOOB AUTHOR R Of F- F MONSIEUR Bl BEAUCAIRE- BEAUCAIRE THE T CONQUEST OF CANAAN PENROD ETC I r ca 5 BY HARPER E T S' S Sl SYNOPSIS Sheridan's attempt to make a business business busi uusi ness man of his son Bibbs Bibus by 11 start mg ng him in fn the machine shop ends iu in Bibbs going to a n sanitarium a nervOUS nervous nervous nerv nerv- ous wreck On his return Bibbs t t. t met at nt the sta station loll U by his sister Edith He lie finds himself an inconsiderable and autI unconsidered figure n n the New NewHouse NewHouse NewHouse House of oC the He sees Mary Vertrees lo looking king at him from froma a summer house next door The Ver Ver- neeses old town family and impoverished call on the new new- rich Jy and afterward discuss them Mary puts Into Into words her parents unspoken wish that she marry one of or orthe the Sheridan boys bos At the Sheridan housewarming banquet Sheridan spreads himself Mary frankly encourages en en- Jim Sheridan's attention and Bibbs hears he Is to be sent back to the machine shop Mar Mary tells her mother about the banquet and shocks her mother by uy talking of Jim as a matrimonial possibility Y Jim tells Mary Bibbs is not a lunatic lunatic just just queer He lie proposes to Mary Iary who half accepts him Sheridan Sheridan tells Bibbs he must go back to the machine machne shop sl op as soon as he is strong g enough in tn spite of Bibb's Bibbs pica to be allowed t to to write Bibbs has to break ureal to his father the news of oC Jims Jim's sudden death All the rest of oC the family helpless in their grief grieC Bibbs s becomes temporary master of or the house At Atthe Atthe Atthe the funeral he meets Mary and rides home with her Mrs Irs Sheridan pleads with Bibbs to r return turn to the machine shop hOI for his fathers father's sal Sake e and he consents Mutual Iu ual love of music grouses an intimate friendship be- be bew w een Bibbs and Mary Marr Mary 1 a rys sells ell s ster per ier piano to help out the finances ot of othe othe he Vertrees family Sheridan finds Roscoe in an an intoxicated condition during office hours hours and takes him home Friendship between Bibbs and and into a more Intimate intimate inti InU- mate relation and under Marys Mary's Influence in influence ll- ll fluence Bibbs decides to 10 return to the machine shop shot Sheridan finds his hisson son Roscoe's affairs in Ina a muddled condition owing to too his Intemperate habits Bibbs under the inspiration of Marys s 's friendship makes good in inthe inthe inthe the machine shop Sheridan is in injured injured injured in- in while attempting to show the hoy boy how to do his work Sibyl insanely insanely in in- sanely jealous over Lamhorn's attentions attentions attentions at at- to Edith mal makes es a scene inthe inthe in inthe the Sheridan home and Lamhorn is ordered out of the house by Sheridan Bibbs Bibus finds great happiness in his work and his love Coir Mary Edith leaves for New York bly to visit a friend Roscoe tells his father that he lie is going to quit the business ess and go awa away with his wife wife- Sheridan r dan announces that he Is going to to taKe Bibbs into the office with him and make snake a business man of him A telegram from Edith announces announces an an- flounces her marriage to Lamhorn I Doctor r Gurney Gurne tries without success success suc sue cess to induce Sheridan to give up his plan to force Bibbs Bihls into a 3 business business business business' busi busi- ness ness ness' career Mrs Sheridan tells Jells her husband that she believes Bibbs is in fn love with Mary Bibbs overhears Sibyl tell Mrs Sheridan that Mar Mary had set her cap caI for Cor Jim and since sine his lils death she had been trying to toland toland toland land Bibbs Later Sheridan declares that Mary lary had bad refused Jim f n Do t m merely r i grunted l in iii reply and ami sat ant t rubbing the thick hair hair- hairon on the top tup of or bighead his big Ii head with Ills Ids I left Jeff rt hand band and nM looking atthe nt lit the fire fire- He n. had Jt given cu no sign sin of Ir be- be In lug Impressed In iu un any uny manner by J bf 11 exposure of or Mary Vertrees' Vertrees jo char diameter ter but bat hi his Impassivity ity did dill not dismay Sibyl Sibyl Sibyl-Lt it was Bibbs whom she he d desired in J to Impress and wd she WJ wan wait intent In that matter mattei Im Jm sure ure It was nil a for the best sl 41 c Raid said Its tR over now ami rued he hr know knows what she ue Is In one way 1 I think it was wu picky hick because e. e ju just t hearing bearing a 11 thins thing that way a person can tell ft's It so so- so and he knows know i t haven't ent got gor any ax to grind except his hi hl own good and the good of or the family Mr IN Dina Sheridan w went nt nervously to MK lie door and stood there looking toward the stairway I wish wish I I wish 1 J knew what be he W was M doln she t said He Ue did look terrible bad bat It was Vas like something something some some- thing had bad been done to him that was wasI was was- I J dont don't know what I never saw anybody anybody any any- body look like he be did lIe He looked looked so so queer It was like you'd you'd- you'd She nailed called down the hull George Georgel i Were you up In 10 Mr Ir Bibbs' Bibbs room Just now He lie Ie riD ring bell II tole me make r rt rr r t l tr j y J tit 1 i t l' l 1 Y r u t s. s EW Ill Take the Job You Offered Me him finh flah in lIi his bis prate grate 1 done bull him nice flab fiah I reckon he alit ain r II u so well lIE He departed What h do you expect lie he wants a 1 fire for fOI she he asked turning toward her r husband h The house is warm run its hs as can be ue I 1 do wish I 1 Oh quit uit frettin said Ia l Sheridan Well 1 1 I kind of o wish you yon Oll hadn't said anything lIlyth i II Sibyl Siu 1 I know you m meant 1 nt it for fOI the best and all all but I dont don't believe e It would been so 80 much harm arm If- If If Mother Molher Iother Sheridan you yon dont don't mean you want that lint kind of a 1 girl In to the tile family Why sh she sheI she she- I dont don't know 1 I dont don't know the troubled cd fu quavered iN If he liked her it seems ems I kind hind lul of or a pity to spoil it lies lie's so o and anil he hI hasn't ha ev ever r taken touch enjoyment Anti And besides I 1 be Ill believe here lieve the way WilY It ft was WI th there l las was as moro morn chance of him him to do what papa wants him to If It she sill wants to marry him Sheridan interrupted her with a hooting hoot hoot- in hug ing In la laugh ugh She dont don't he be said Youre l arkin parkin up the wron wrong tree Sibyl She aint that kind of a n girl But father Sheridan h didn't she shelie she she- lie cut her short hort enough h. h You may mean all right but ut you guess wrong So do you mamma Sibyl cried out Oh But Just look how she ran after Jim Jim Jim- She Sire did not he lie sal said curtly Sho wouldn't take Jim She turned him down cold But that's Its ItI tint not I know she did Sibyl looked flatly Incredulous And ud you needn't worry he said Raid turning to his wife This wont won't have c any effect on your Idea because use there wasn't all any sense to tt it it an anyhow bow D D' D you think shed she'd be lie very cry likely to take Bibbs aver Hibbs after she take Tim Jim She's a hearted good girl irl and she let lets Bibbs flume come to see her but bitt if shed she'd ever er given him bim one sign of or encouragement the WJ way you women think lie he wouldn't of ot acted the stubborn fool he bas hed basheda has hed he'd heda a been at uie we long 1011 ago O. O beKKin be ill me we for some kind of a job jou he could support a wife on Theres There's in fn it it and and Ive I've got ot the same old tight light with him on my lilY hands Ive I've had all his life and life and the Lord knows what t he lie wont won't do to balk met me me What's happened ned now IL II 11 probably only make snake him twice as stubborn stubborn stub stub- born but but but- Su Mrs MIS Sheridan still In to time the doorway lifted lined h her r hand Tha tos his tcp step step he's hes comin dow downstairs s. s She shrank 1 away from the tile door as if it she shit feared to have Bibbs see se her her herI I Iwonder I I Iwonder wonder wonder- wonder she sn said almost almust iu lu a whisper whis per per per- I r- r I wonder bes be's to goin to do dp tier Her lIer timorousness had bad It Its effect upon the till others Sheridan rose but remained beside his Ida chair arid add moved ell toward Sibyl who stared stare tar tl l uneasily ut lit the open doorway They listened ned as ns the slow steps descended oe- oe e- e d tb the stairs and cam came toward 1 the library stepped upon Ulon the threshold and nud with sick and haggard ard eyes looked slowly from front one oue to the other until nt lit last bis his gaze rested reste upon his hili father Then be he came and stood stool before him Im sorry youve you've had so much trouble trouble trou trou- ble with 01 me he said gently You wont won't any more Ill I'll take tb the Job you offered me rne Sheridan did not speak speak be he stared astounded and and Bibbs had left the room before any tiny of or Its oc oc- uttered a n sound ugh tough he be went as aa slowly a as be C came me Mrs lira Sheri Sheri- dan dal was as the She went I nervously Dack to di tG doorway anal anil th then u out Into tutu the ball hall Bibbs had band gone from tuna the tilt house Bibbs' Bibbs mother had a feeling about him then that she had never known before It was and vague but butery very ery something poignant something In her bel mourned for fOl him IH ly She felt Celt that an 1111 awful thins thing had hall been done don to him though she he did not know what it was She Sue went welt up to his room The fire Ore Geor George e hart hal built for him was almost smothered under miller thick charred ashes of or paper The lid 1111 of or bl hh his t trunk stood open and the large upper tray which she remembered to leave have seen full of or pa papers pers and notebooks was empty empt And AUll somehow she that Bibbs had Imd given iven up the oils ous vocation he be ha had hoped to follow follow- nn and that he had bad given Iten It up for ever She thought it was the wisest thing he could have ha done done and and yet for an tto unknown unknown un un- known reason she sat silt upon the bed bell belland and wept a little before she went down down- stairs So Sheridan had ball his way with muus Bibbs all aH through CHAPTER As Bibbs came out of or the new house a Sunday trio hlo was In course of passage upon the si sidewalk ewall An ample young woman placid of or face a clad black thin young oung man whose expression wa was one of habitual anxiety habitual wariness wariness wari wurl- ness and habitual eagerness He lle propelled propelled propelled pro pro- a perambulator containing the third third and and all three were newly cleaned Sunda and made fit lit to dine with the wife's relatives to be he that you OU like for me young fella mamma 1 the husband whiskered Hes lies one otle of the sons and aud there aint but hut two left now now- The wife stat stared d curiously at Bibbs muus Well WeH I 1 dont don't know the she ue returned lie looks to me Hl like Ili-e e he hail had his own troubles I 1 expect he has like an anybody holy else said the joung young husband but I guess ues we Yve could stand a good deal If It we had bad his money Well WeH maybe If you keep on the way you been uen bau baby II 11 be as well weH fixed betl as the You cant can't tell She SIH glanced back at Bibbs mu who had hail turned north lIe fie walks kind of oC slow and stooped over like So much mone money In his pockets it makes him sag I guess said salt the young husband with bitter admira admira- tion Mary Iary happening to glance from a window whitlow- saw Bibbs conning coming and she started clasping her hands together In a sudden alarm She met him at atthe atthe atthe the door Bibbs 1 she cried What t Is the matter I 1 saw something was terribly wrong when I I- I You look look look- She paused and he lie came In lu not lifting his bl eyes to hers Ah a Always s 's when he be crossed oss d that thle threshold lie Iw had bail come with 1 his head up and nod his wistful gaze seeking hers bels belsh Ah h poor JO I boy DOYt she said with a gesture of understanding and pity I know mow what it is lie Ill followed her het into the room where th they always s 's sat and anil sank Into a chair You needn't tell me she said made you give hc up Your f fathers father's fa- fa titers ther's won won Joule youre you're going to do what he wants Youve You've given iven up tip Still without looking at her he lie Inclined Inclined In In- dined his head in She l g-l gave gle e a little cry of oC compassion lon and came and sat near him Bibbs Bibus she shin said I 1 can cnn be glad of or one olle thing though its it's selfish I 1 can an be ue glad Iad you came carte straight to me Its It's more mOle to mo me than even If you'd come because you ou were happy She did not speak again for a little while then she sue said Bibbs dear could dear could you tell ine me about it Do no you rou want to Still Stilt he be did not look up but In a n voice shaken and ami husky y he lie asked her hern her n a question so grotesque that at first site shoo thought she had bad misunderstood his words Mary he be said could you marry me What lIa t did dill you say Bibbs she asked quietly His tone tOile and attitude did Will 1111 you OU marl marry marry- me Both Loth her han hands s leaped to her cheeks she she grew red and then theu white She bo rose slowly and mon moved ll backward from him staring st at him at first Incredulously Incredulously incredulously then thell with an int intense nse 05 Ity more mure and more luminous In wide e eyes es it was WIlS like a spoken q tion The room filled with start strai ness in III the lon long II the silence the the two two v w so strange to each other At last said What made you say that II He did dill not answer Bibbs look at me mel Her lIer voice loud louil and anil cl cleat clear III What mn made e you that f Look 1001 at me I He lie could not lIot look looi n at t her and could not speak What Wha 11 hat t was It that t ma made e you you I sail said I want you to tell teU me mc She went closer loser to him her ber ever brighter and wider with that of or wonder Youve y p. ou given ln to to your father she said and ami then you come to ask rne me- me r broke off oft Bibbs bs do you want m mJ marry you 1 Yes he said Just audibly No she cried cled You do not Theo Theu what made you ask mo What is It U that's happened c ir Nothing Wait Knit she said Let ret the me think Its It's something that happened since our walk this morning yes morning e yes since you left me at noon Something happened that that that- She stopped abruptly with t rl tremulous murmur of or amazement and dawning comprehension She bend that Sibyl had gone to tile the new new- house hoUe Bibbs swallowed painfully and con to say I 1 do do I I do want you to marry me you if if If you could She looked at him and slowly shook her bel head Bibbs ibus do you you you- Her Del Ponce was as unsteady as a his little his little more i ore than J f a p ms F. F you you think Im I'm in Im In love lo with you No 0 he sahl said Somewhere In the still sUB air all of or the room there thew was a whispered word It did cUd not seem to come from frolD Marys Mary's parted lips but he was aware of It 1 Why l hy b Ive had hall nothing but but dreams Bibbs said sahl de desolately but they weren't like this Sibyl said no girl could t care about me me me He TIe smiled faintly though still he lUll did not look at nt Mary Iary And Ami wb when n I first came home J Uth told me Sibyl was so anxious to terry that shed she'd have married me She meant It to express 9 Sibyls Sibyl's extremity ou 5 ou see seC But 1 hardly needed either pf them to tell me I 1 hadn't thought o of myself as well |
