Mexico Missouri message., 1918-02-07
CHAPTER x-continued.

Connie might. I suppose"
Connie" she contradIcted prompt
iy, will probably marry genius, or
q rascal, or a millionaire"
He looked dazed at that.
She leaned forward little. "Carol
might"
"She might" She watched him mar
rowIy, a smile In her eyes
Carols too worldly"
''YOu don't believe that"
mo, not really. Carol-she-why,
you know what / think of 1t, Carol
wouldn't be half bad for a minister's
wife. She has q sense of humor, that
Is very important. She's generous,
she's patient, she's unselfish, q good
mixer-sOme of the ladies' might think
her complexion wasn't real, but
Grace, Carol wouldn't be half bad"
"Oh, William" she sighed, "can't you
remember that you are a Methodist
minister, and a grandfather, and
grow up a littlef"
After that Mr.. Starr returned to
normal again, only many times he and
Connie had little outings together, and
talked a great deal. And Aunt Grace,
seeing II, smiled with satisfaction. But
the twins and Fairy settled 1t In their
own minds by saying, "Father was just
q little jealous OF all the beaux. He
was looking for a pal, and he's found
Connie"
But in spite of his new devotion to
Connie, Mr.. Starr also spent a great
deal of time with Fairy. I'VE must
get fast chums, Fairy" he often said
to her. "This is our last chance. We
have to get cemented for lifetime,
you know"
And Fairy, when he said so, caught
his hand and laughed a little tremu-
lousy.
Indeed he was right when he said 1t
was his last chance with Fairy In the
parsonage. Two weeks before her
commencement she had slipped into
the library and closed the door eau
tiousIy behind her.
Father" she said, "would you be
very sorry If didn't teach school after
aII?"
''Not bit" came the ready answer.
81 mean If I-yOu see, father, since
You sent me to college l feel as II /
ought to work and-help out"
'AThat's nonsense" he said, drawing
the tall girl down to his knees. Il can
take care Of my own family, thanks.
Are you trying to run me out of my
Job? If you want to work, all right,
do il, but for yourself, and not for us.
Or if you want to do anything else"
he did not meet her eyes, ''if you want
90 stay at home year or so before
you get married, it would please US
better than anything else. And when
you want to marry Gene, we're expect
ing 1t, you know"
Eyes, / know"-she fingered the lapel
OF his coat uneasily. ''DO you care
how soon get marrledT
care you still sure 1t Is Gene?"
''Yes, I'm sure"
~"Then / think you should choose
your own time. 1 am In no hurry. But
any time-lt's for you and Gene to de-
eide"
-9Then you haven't set your heart on
my teachingT
81 set my heart on giving you the
best chance possible. And have done
It. For the rest, 1t depends on you
You may work, or you may stay at
home while. 1 only want you to be
happy, Fairy"
"But doesn't it seem foolish to &c
clear through college, and spend the
money, and then-marry without using
the edUcatiOn?"
az do not think so. They've been
fine years, and you are finer because
OF them. There's just as much oppor.
EUnity to use your fineness in home
of your own as in a public school
That's the way look at it."
'FYOu don't think I'm too young"
you're pretty young" he said slow
7y- 81 can hardly say, Fairy. You've
always been capable and self-pOs
Ressed. When you and Gene get sc
crazy about each other you can't bear
to be apart any longer, it's all right
here"
She put her arm around his neck and
rubbed her fingers over his cheek low
fngIy.
~You understand, don't you, father
that Tn just going to be plain married
when the time comes? Not wedding
like Prudence's. Gene, and the girls
and Prue and Jerry, and you, father
that Is ALL"
"'Yes, all right. It's your day, you
know"
"And we won't talk much about II
beforehand. We all know how we feel
shout things. 1t would be silly for me
TO try to tell yOu7ZHhat grand, sweet
father you've been to us. 1 can't tell
you-If tried I'd only cry. You know
what think"
His face was against hers, and his
eyes were away from her, so Fairy did
not see the moisture in his eyes when
he said in q low voice:
''Yes, ] know, Fairy. And don't
need to say what fine girls you are,