The Idaho Springs siftings-news. (Idaho Springs, Colo.) 1905-19??, 1918-08-16

| WOULDN'T nave done IL II naO known
about this. You don't know how-con-
temptible-I feel"
"Oh, that's all right" she said COM
fortingly. her eyes glowing. that's
all right. We just meant beaux. you
know. We didn't include uncles, and
fathers, and old schoolteachers, and
things like that. You don't count.
That isn't breaking my pledge"
The professor smiled. but he remem-
bered the quivering lips, and the re-
laxing OF the 1.-the body, and the forced
laughter. and was not deceived.
you're such a strange girl, Carol.
You're so honest. usually. SO kind
hearted. SO generous. But you always
seem trying to make yourself look bad,
not physically, that isn't what mean"
Carol smiled, and her loving fingers ca
ressed her soft cheek. But you try
to make folks think you are vain and
selfish, when you are not. Why do you
do 1t? Everyone knows what you
really are All over Mount Mark they
say you are the best little kid in town"
"They dor she said Indignantly.
well, they'd better not. Here I've
spent years building up my reputation
to suit myself, and then they go and
shatter 1t like that They'd better
leave me alone"
But what's the objectT
"Why, now. p'fessor," she said care
fully choosing her words, you know.
it's a pretty hard job living up TO a
good reputation. Look at Prudence
and Fairy and Lark. Everyone just
naturally expects them to be ANGEL
cally and dishearteningly good. And
II they aren't, folks talk. But take me
now. No one expects anything Of me-
and II once In while l do happen to
turn out all right by accident, it's
sort of joyful surprise to the whole
community. It's lots more FUN sur
prising folks by being better than they
expect, than shocking them by turning
out worse than they think you WILL"
but II doesn't do You any good
he assured her. you can't fool them
Mount Mark knows its Carol"
you're not going?" she said, as be
released her hand and Strengthened the
collar of his coat.
YES. your father will chase me of
II don't go now. How about the let
a little oftener?"
It'd love to. It's 60 inspiring to get
letter from a Observation-Disclosures
year scientist; mean, a was-once. Do
my letters sound all right? don't I
want to get too chummy, you know
Get as chummy as you can" he
urged her. II enjoy It"
It'll have to be more dignihed II
you're going to Mccormick. Presbyte-
rian! The Presbyterians are very dig |
nified. I'll have to be formal from this |
that properT
He took her hands in his. 'Goodby. |
little pal Thank you for coming out |
and for telling me the things you have.
You have done me good. You are a
breath of fresh, sweet air"
She moved her fingers slightly In his |
hand, and he looked down at them. |
Then he lifted them and looked again. |
admirng the slender fingers and the |
pink nails.
Don't look" she entreated They're |
teaching me things. I can't help It |
This spot on my thumb is fried egg,
here are three doughnuts on my arm
see themf And here's a regular PAN
cake" She pointed out the pancake
T.. her palm, sorrowfully.
Teaching you things are theyr'
~Hes, I have to darn.s Look at the
tips Of my fingers, that's where the
needle rusted off on me. Here's where |
cut a slice Of bread out of my thumb |
Isn't life seriousr'
Yes, very serious" He looked
thoughtfully down at her hands again
as they lay curled up in his own.
~Very, very serious"
"Goodoy."
'Goodby." He held her hand a mo-
ment longer, and then turned suddenly
away. She watched until he was out
of sight. and then slipped upstairs, un-
dressed in the dark and crept between
the covers. Lark apparently was
sound asleep. Carol giggled softly to
herself few times, and Lark opened
one eye, asking. whats amateur
ooh, such good Joke on p'fessor,"
whispered Carol, squeezing her twin
with rapture. HE doesn't know It yet,
but he'll be 80 disguised with himself
when he finds 1t out"
what In the world Is itf' Lark was
more coherent now.
II can't tell you, but you'll certainly
scream II you ever do know It,"
you can't tell me?" Lark was wide
awake, and quite aghast.
mo, l truly can't"
Lark drew away from the encircline
arm with as much dignity as could
be expressed in the dark and In bed,
and sent out series Of deep breaths,
as II to indicate that snores were close
at hand.
Carol laughed to herself for a while,
until Elz ol,< 4