The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-07-26

"Well, 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 a
raise for next year. and we tried to
give you a good fair chance to laud
him squarely, and"
''To land him"
''To get him, thenl 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?"
"IeS, that's it."
Fairy smiled. Thank you, dear 1t
am engaged"
7 Carols lips parted, closed. parted
again. "You-you"
"Exactly So"
Hope flashed into Carols eyes. Fairy
| saw it, and answered swiftly.
certainly not. I'm not crazy about
your little professor. I am engaged to
Eugene Babler" She said 1t with
pride, not unmixed with defiance,
knowing as she did that the twins con-
sfdered Gene too undignified for par
sonage son-in-law. The twins were
strong for parsonage dignity!
"You-are?
IT am"
A long instant Carol stared at her.
Then she turned toward the door.
where are you going?"
"Im going to tell papa"
Fairy laughed. "Papa knows it."
Carol came slowly back and stood by
the dresser again. After short silence
she moved away once more.
"Where now?"
"To tell Aunt Grace, then"
"Aunt Grace knows 1t, too"
"Does Prudence know it?"
ayes"
Carol swallowed this bitter pill In
silence.
"How long?" she inquired at last.
"About a year. Look here, Carol,
I'll show you something. Really I'm
glad you know about it. We're pretty
young, and papa thought we ought to
keep 1t 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 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.
II 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 We're
wide, rather wondering, as she put this
question softly.
Fairy put her arm about her sisters
shoulders, and her fine steady eyes mel
Carols clearly.
"Yes," she said frankly, II love hin
with all my heart"
as 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. Yor
can't imagine it-beforehand. 1t is
magical; it is heavenly"
Yes, suppose it is. Prudence says
so, too. l can't imagine it, kind OF
wish I could. Can't go and tell Con
ME and Lark? want to tell some
bodyw
Eyes, tell them. We decided not t.
let you know just yet, but since-yes
tell them, and bring them up to see it.
Carol kissed her again, and wen
out, gently closing the door behind her
In the hallway she stopped and stare'
at the wall for an unseeing moment
Then she clenched and shook sterI
white fist at the door.
II don't care" she muttered, "they'r'
not good enough for Prudence an'
Fairy! They're not! just believe
despise men, all of 'em, unless It's
daddy and Duck I" She smiled little
and then looked grim once more. ECU
gene Babler, and a little queen like
Fairy! I think that must be heavens
notion Of joke" She sighed again
"Oh, well, it's something to have some
thing to tell! I'm glad found 1t out
ahead Of Lark!"