Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-01-11
ilance-just for a moment, you spoiled

ilance-just for a moment, you spoiled
1t all by"
"Yes-talk English, Carrie. What
was it you tried to do for me?"
swell, if you want plain English you
can have it," said Carol. "You know
what professor is, a swell position like
his, and such prospects, and New York
city, and four thousand a year with
raise for next year, and we tried to
give you good fair chance to land
him squarely, and"
"To land him"
ITO 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, Il
was sweet Of you, but you're too late.
1 am engaged"
Carols lips parted, closed, parted
again. "You-you?"
EXACTLY So"
D. II
saw it, and answered swiftly.
| Certainly not. I'm not crazy about
your little professor. l am engaged to
Eugene Babler" She said it with
pride, not unmiyed 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-areW
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 a short silence
she moved away once more.
"Where now?"
ITO tell Aunt Grace, then"
"Aunt Grace knows it, too"
"Does Prudence know it?"
Eyes"
Carol swallowed this bitter pill in
silence.
How long?' she inquired at last.
About a year. Look here, Carol,
TIL show you something. Really I'm
glad you know about it. We're pretty
young, and papa thought we ought to
keep it 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 a small velvet jewelers. box, and
displayed before the admiring eyes of
Carol plain gold ring with a 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-
lieve 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 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"
us that what makes you $3.50
shiny, and smiley, and starry all the
time"
II guess it is. 1t is the most won.
derful thing in the world, Carol. You
can't imagine it-beforehand. It is
magical; it is heavenly"
"Yes, suppose it is. Prudence says
so, too. I can't imagine it, I kind OF
wish could. Can't I go and tell Con.
ME and Lark? want to tell some.
body!
Eyes, tell them. We decided not tc
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 moment
Then she clenched and shook a stern
white fist at the door.
IT 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. Gu
gene Babler, and little queen like
Fairy! I think that must be heav ems
notion Of joke" She sighed again
"Oh, well, it's something to have some
thing to tell! I'm glad I found it out
ahead of Lark"