Warren sheaf., 1917-12-26

HlleS1or1
AxtAr 4 .Pt,ana 4 IL Par.saae"
copyright. The Bobbs-lderriu Compa11)
But Carol did not forget her VOW
Early the next morning she stalked
grimly into Fairy's room, where Fairy
was conscientiously bringing order out
Of the chaos in her bureau drawers, a
thing Fairy always did after perfect
ly happy day. Carol knew that, and It
was with genuine reproach in her voice
that she spoke at last, after standing
for some two minutes watching Fairy
as she deftly twirled long ribbons
about her fingers and then laid them In
methodical piles In separate corners Of
the drawers.
FAIRY" she said sadly, 'you don't
seem very appreciative, some way.
Here Larkie and have tried so hard
to give you a genuine opportunity
we've worked and schemed and kept
ourselves In the background, and that's
the way you serve us! It's disappoint-
ing. It's downright disheartening."
Fairy folded blue veil and laid 1t
on top of white one. Then she turned.
'Yes. What?" She inquired coolly,
."There are so few real chances for q
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 Wig
ilance-just for moment, you spoiled
it all by"
"Yes-talk English, Carrie. What
was it you tried to do for me?''
"Well, if you want plain English you
:an have it." said Carol. ''You know
what professor Is, swell position IKE
his, and such prospects, and New York
city, and four thousand year with a
raise for next year, and we tried to
give you a good fair chance to land
him squarely, and
"To land him"
To get him, then! He hasn't any
girl. You could have been engaged to
him this moment-Prof. David Arnold
Duke-if you had wanted to-"
'Oh, is that it?"
eyes, 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 1t, and answered swiftly.
Certainly not. I'm not crazy about
your little professor. am engaged to
Eugene Babler." She said it with
pride, not unmixed with defiance,
knowing as she did that the twins con-
sidered Gene too undignif1ed for q par.
sonage son-in-law. The twins were
strong for parsonage dignity!
"You-are?' p
II 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 q short silence
she moved away once more,
"Where now?''
''To, tell Aunt Grace, then.''
Aunt Grace knows 1t. too.,'
docs Prudence know it?''
''Yes."
Carol swallowed this bitter pill In
silence.
"How longY 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 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 a small velvet jewelers. box, and
displayed before the admiring eyes of
Carol plain gold ring with modest
diamond.
Carol kissed it. Then she kissed
Fairy twice.
Il know you'll be awfully happy,
Fairy" she said soberly. "And I'm
glad of it. Butt can't honestly be-
lfeve there's any man good enough for
our girls. Babbie's nice, and dear, and
all that, and he's so crazy about you,
and-do you love hin? r. 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.
AYes," she said frankly, Il love him
with all my heart .
Is that what makes you $50
shiny, and smiley, and starry all the
time?" @ s
Il guess It is. It is the most won
derful thing In the world, Carol. You
can't imagine beforehand. It IL
magical; 1t Is heavenly
Yes, I suppose It Is. Prudence says
20, too. can't imagine 1t, I kind Of
wish I cOu1d. Cant i r0 and toll rnn.