Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-02-15
CHAPTER x-Continued.

Connie" she contradicted prompt
ly, twill probably marry genius, or
a rascal, or millionaire"
He looked dazed at that.
She leaned forward little. "Carol
might"
"CarOl-"
"She might" She watched him mar
rowly, a smile in her eyes
Carols too worldly"
"You don't believe that"
mo, not really. Carol-she--why
you know what l think Of it, Carol
wouldn't be half bad for a minister's
wife. She has a sense of humor, that
is very important. She's generous,
she's patient, she's unselfsh, a good
mixer-some Of the ladies might think
her complexion wasn't real, but
Grace, Carol wouldn't be half badw
"Oh, William" she sighed, cant you
remember that you are Methodist
minister, and a grandfather, and
grow up q little?"
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 it, smiled with satisfaction. But
the twins and Fairy settled it in their
own minds by saying, Father was just
a little jealous of all the beaux. He
was looking for pal, and he's found
Connie"
But in spite of his new devotion to
Connie, Mr.. Starr also spent great
deal Of time with Fairy. eve must
get fast chums, Fairy" he often said
to her. "This is our last chance. We
have to get cemented for a lifetime,
you know"
And Fairy, when he said so, caught
his hand and laughed 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
tiously behind her.
Father" she said, "would you be
very sorry if didn't teach school after
all?
mot bit" came the ready answer
81 mean if I-you see, father, since
you sent me to college I feel as if |
ought to work and-help OUT
That's nonsense" he said, drawing
the tall girl down to his knees. 81 can
take care Of my own family, thanks.
Are you trying to run me out Of my
job? If you want Az work, all right,
Il +. but for yourself, and not for us.
or you want to do anything else"
he did not meet her eyes, 'if you want
To stay at home a 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 it, you know"
YES know"-she fingered the lapel
OF his coat uneasily. "Do you care
how soon / get marriedT
"Are you still sure it is Gene?"
"Yes, I'm sure"
''Then I think you should choose
any time--it's for you and Gene to de-
eide"
"Then you haven't set your heart on
my teachingT"
II 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. l only want you to be
happy, Fairy"
"But doesn't 1t seem foolish to 90
clear through college, and spend the
money, and then-marry without using
the educationW
81 do not think so. They've been
hne years, and you are finer because
OF them. There's just as much oppor-
tunity to use your fineness in a home
Of your own as in a public school.
That's the way look at it,"
you don't think I'm too young?"
you're pretty young" he said SLOW
~. 81 can hardly say, Fairy. You've
always been capable and self-pos-
sessed. When you and Gene get so
crazy about each other you can't bear
90 be apart any longer, it's all right
here"
She put her arm around his neck and
rubbed her fingers over his cheek low
ingly.
you understand, don't you, father,
that I'm 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 It
beforehand. We all know how we feel
sbout things. 1t would be silly for me
90 try to tell you what a grand, sweet
father you've been to us. can't tell
you-if tried I'd only cry. You know
what l 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 low voice:
"Yes, l know, Fairy And l don't
need to say what fine girls you are,
and how proud am of you. You know
alrno1u put cnOntinocD bo oIda1