Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-10-10

seem very appreciative some way
Here Larkie and have tried so hard
to give you genuine opportunity
we've worked and schemed and kept
ourselves in the background, and
that's the way you serve us! It's dis.
appointing. It's downright dishearten.
ing"
Fairy folded a blue veil and laid it
on top of white one. Then she turn.
ed. yes. WHAT" she inquired
coolly.
There are so few real chances for
a woman in Mount Mark and we felt
that this was once in lifetime. And
you know how hard we worked. And
then, when we relaxed our-our vigi-
lance-just for moment, you spoiled
1t all by"
"Yes-talk English, Carrie. What
was it you tried to do for me?"
well, If you want plain English you
can have it," said Carol heatedly. you
know what professor is, a swell posi-
ton like his, and such prospects, and
New York City, and four thousand a
we tried to give you good fair chance
u lduU ulH SQudTcly, dNU-
To land him"
ITO get him, then! He hasn't any
girl. You could have been engaged to
him this minute-Professor David Ar.
mold Duke-if you had wanted to-"
"Oh, is that it,"
Yes, that's it,
Fairy smiled. Thank you, dear, it
was sweet of you, but you're too late.
am engaged"
Carols lips parted. closed, parted
again. "You-you?"
Exactly So"
Hope flashed into Carols eyes. Fairy
saw it, and answered swiftly.
Certainly not. I'm not crazy about
your little Prof. am engaged to
Eugene Babler.' She said 1t with
pride, not unmixed with defiance,
knowing as she did that the twins con-
, sidered Gene too undignified for par.
sonage son-in-law. The twins were
strong for parsonage dignity!
"You-are?"
Il am"
A long instant Carol stared at her.
Then she turned toward the door.
Where are you gOing?
I'm going to tell papa"
Fairy laughed. Papa knows it,
Carol came slowly back and stood
by the dresser again. After a short
silence she moved away once more.
Where now"
"I'll tell Aunt Grace. then"
Aunt Grace knows it, too"
Does Prudence know it?"
YES"
H>s- a.
silence.
How long?" she inquired at last.
About a year. Look here, Carol, I'll
show you something. Really I'm glad
you know about 1t. We're pretty young
and papa thought we ought to keep 1t
dark a while to make sure. That's
why we didn't tell you. Look at this"
From her cedar chest-a Christmas
gift from Gene-she drew out small
velvet jewelers. box, and displayed be.
fore the admiring eyes of Carol plain
gold ring with modest diamond.
Carol kissed 1t. Then she kissed
Fairy twice.
II know you'll be awful happy,
Fairy" she said soberly And I'm
glad Of it. Butt can't honestly be-
lieve there's any man good enough for
our girls. Babies nice, and dear, and
all that, and he's so crazy about you,
and-do you love him?" Her eyes were
wide, rather wondering, as she put this
question softly.
Fairy put her arm about her sisters
shoulders, and her fine steady eyes
met Carols clearly.
YES" she said frankly, II love him
with all my heart."
as that what makes you $3.50
shiny. and smiley. and starry all the
timer"
II guess it is. 1t is the most won
derful thing in the world, Carol You
can't even imagine beforehand. 1t
is magical, 1t is heavenly"
Yes; / suppose it is. Prudence
says so, too. can't imagine 1t, kind
of wish / could. Can't go and tell
Connie and Lark? ! want to tell some
body"
Eyes, tell them. We decided not to
let you know Just yet, but since-yes,
tell them, and bring them up to see
it,"
Carol kissed her again, and went
out. gently closing the door behind
her In the hallway she stopped and
stared at the wall for an unseeing mo.
ment. Then she clenched and shook
a stern white fist at the door.
81 don't care" she muttered,
they're not good enough for Prudence
and Fairy! They're not! just believe
| despise men. all Of 'em. unless It's
daddy and Duck!" She smiled little
and then looked grim once more.
Eugene Babler. and little queen like
Fairy! l think that must be Heavens
notion of joke She sighed again.
"Oh, well, it's something to have
something to tell! I'm glad I found II
out ahead of Lark"
CHAPTER VIII
lark's Literary Venture.
As commencement drew near and
Fairy began planning momentous
things for her graduation, little sob