The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-03-23

think walled clear from pes
MOineaT
Yes" And added hastily, "But I
dld not care ~ you did. II did not
make any difference how you came"
For IA moment ne was puzzled. Then
he burst out laughing. II am afraid
we hnd too much 10 talk about this
morning, | thought | had explained
my situation, but evidently | did not.
/ drove from Des Molnes in the eur,
and"
"The automobile" gasped Carol,
with triumphant look az Lark.
'Nes, Just 80. stopped at several
places on business as l came through.
/ drove from Burlington this morning.
but got OF the road. The car broke
down on me, and / couldn't fix IT.
broke an axle. So / had 10 walk IA,
That Is what | was seeing about to-
day. sending a man out for the car
and arranging about the repairs" He
smiled again. "What in the world did
you think ! would walk from Des
MoInes for?" he asked Prudence, more
inquisltiye than grammatical.
Il did not think anything about IT
until they asked, and-I did not know
about the car. You did not mention
IT,"
NO. / remember now. We were
talking of other things all the time"
He turned frankly TO Mr.. Starr. "Per-
hups you have heard Of the Harmer
Automobile company Of Des Moines.
My father was Harvey Harmer. Two
years ago, when l was running around
in Europe, he died. II was his desire
that l should personally take charge
Of the business. So | hurried home,
and have had charge Of the company
since theu. We are establishing sales
agencies here, and In Burlington, and
several other towns. | came out for
little trip, and took advantage Of the
opportunity to discuss the business
with our new men. That's what
brought me to Mount Mark"
For the first time in her life, Pru-
dence distinctly triumphed over her
father. She flashed him the glance OF
a conqueror, and he nodded, under
standingly. He liked JerrOld Harmer,
as much as he could like any man who
stepped seriously into the life Of Pru-
dence. He was glad that things were
well. But-they would excuse him, he
must look after his Sundays sermons.
A little later the twins and Connie
grew restless, and finally Connie blurt-
ed out, "Say, Prue, don't you think
we've upheld the parsonage long
enough? | want to get some fresh
air" The twins would never have
been guilty of such social indlscretlOn
rs this but they gladly availed them
selves of Comics "break," and fol-
lowed her Out-of-doors. Then Fairy
got up, laughing. 81 have done my
share, too. l think Wen leave the
parsonage in your hands now, Prue.
l want to write to Aunt Grace. I'll be
just at the head Of the stairs, and if
Prudence wants me, you will call,
won't you, Mr.. Harmer? And won't
you stay for dinner with us? I'm sure
to disgrace the parsonage again, for
am no cook, but you can get along
for once, surely. We spend more time
laughing when the food is bad, and
laughter is very healthful. You will
stay, won't your"
Jerrold Harmer looked very eager,
and yet he looked somewhat doubtfully
at Prudence. Her eyes We're eloquent
with entreaties. Finally he laughed,
and said II should certainly like to
stay, but you see l want to come back
tomorrow. Now, will l dare to come
back tomorrow if l stay for dinner to-
night? Wouldn't Connie say that was
disgracing the parsonage|
Fairy laughed delightedly. "That is
very good" she said. ''Then you will
stay. I'll try to fix it up with Connie
to save the reputation of the house"
No, they did not quote poetry, they
did not discuss the psychological in
tricacies of spontaneous attraction,
they did not say anything deep, or
wise, or learned. But they smiled at
each other, with pleased investigating
eyes. He put his hand on the cover
let, just near enough to touch the lace
on the sleeve of her silk dressing gown.
And together they found paradise in
the shabby sitting room of the old
Methodist parsonage that afternoon.