The state herald., 1918-03-22

= .
IA1kb grave faes that ~ In ths m.
sonags when they had discussed tha
love Of Jim. her unwonted gentlenesa
and her quiet manners during this
visit, and one night when Carol, sud
denly awakening, had found her weep
ing bitterly into her pillow. Lark had
said 1t was headache, and was better
now, and Carol had gone to sleep
again. but she remembered now that
Lark never had headachesi And she
remembered how very often lately
Lark had put her arms around her
shoulders and looked searchingly into
her face. and Lark was always wist.
full. too. Of latsi She sighed. Yes,
she caught on at last. had been
pushed on to It." she thought angrily.
She had been q wicked, blind, hateful
little simpleton or she would have seen
1t long ago. But she said nothing Of
this to Jim.
you'd better run along then and
switch your proposal over to her, or
I'm likely to accept you on my own
account, just for a Joke. And be sure
and tell her I'm good and sore that ]
didn't get chance to use my flowery
rejection. But I'm almost sure she'll
turn you down."
Then Carol stood In the path and
watched jim as he leaped lightly over
fences and ran through the sweet
meadow. She saw Lark spring to her
feet and step out from the shade Of an
apple tree, and then Jim took her in
his arms.
After that, Carol rushed into the
house and up the stairs. She flung
herself ON her knees beside the bed
and buried her face In the white
spread.
Lark" she whispered, lark n She
clenched her hands, and her shoulders
shook. my little twin" she cried
again. my nice old Lark" Then she
got up and walked back and forth
across the floor. Sometimes she shook
her fist. Sometimes q little crooked
smile softened her lips. Once she
stamped her foot, and then laughed at
herself. For an hour she paced up
and down. Then she turned ON the
light and went to the mirror. whore
she smoothed her hair and powdered
",er face as carefully a. ever.
'1t's Just . good Joke on me-" she
said, smiling. ''but It's Just - good Q
one on Mrs. Forrest. I think I'll 20
and have q laugh at her. And III pre-
tend knew It all along"
She found the woman lying in
hammock on the broad piazza where .
broad shaft Of light from the open door
fell upon her. Carol stood beside her,
smiling brightly.
Mrs. Forrest" she said. II know q
perfectly delicious secret. Shall I tell
youf"
The woman sat up. holding out her
arms. Carol dropped on her knees
beside her. smiling mischievously at
the expression on her face.
'Cupid has been at work." she said
softly, ''and your own son has fallen
a victim"
Mrs. Forrest shifted slightly. but she
looked lovingly at the fair, sweet face.
II am sure I cannot wonder" she an.
swered in q gentle voice. .Is II all
settledr'
II suppose 20. At any rate he IL
proposing to her In the orchard. and
I am pretty sure she's going to accept
him."
Mrs. Forests arms fell away from
Carols shoulders. Lark" |" she ejacu.
lated.
"Yes-didn't you know itr' Carols
voice was mildly and innocently sur.
prised.
"Larkw Mrs. Forrest was plainly
dumfounded. I'll thought It was
you'll"
"Mer Carol was intensely aston.
ished. "Mei Oh, dear Mrs. Forrest.
whatever in the world made you think
thatf'
"why-I don't know" she faltersd
weakly. II Just naturally supposed II
was you. asked him once where he
left MS heart, ana he said, AT the par.
sonage.' and 20 Of course I thought Il
was you"
Carol laughed gayly. "what 4 Joke"
she cried. But you are more fortu-
nate than you expected. for II IL my
precious old Larkie. But don't be too
glad about II. or you may hurt my feel.
ings."
swell. ! am surprised. I confess. but
I believe I like Lark ~ well % ! do
you. and Of course Jim's the one to
decide. People say Lark 10 more ssn-
sible than you are. but II takes Q good
bit Of man to get beyond Q face -
pretty - yours. I'm kind o proud
Of Jimi"
. . . .
After Fairy's wedding Carol natu-
rally felt lonely. They had bsen such
constant companions that the parting