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

-Oh. no, Ike 10 be out in the night
air. i want 10 talk TO you about be-
Ing preacher, you know. i think 1t
is the most wonderful thing In the
world, certainly do Her eyes were
upon his face now seriously. Il didn't
say much, l was surprised, and l was
ashamed. too, professor, for l never
could do II In the world. Never 1t
always makes me feel cheap and exas-
perated when / see how much nicer
other folks are than l. But do think
II is wonderful. Really sometimes
have thought you ought to be a preach
err because you're SO nice. So many
preachers aren't, and that's the kind
we need"
The professor put his other hand
over CAROLS, which was restlessly fin
gering the crease In his sleeve. He
did not speak. Her girlish, impulsive
words touched him very deeply.
81 wouldn't want the girls to know
H. they'd think It was so funny, but"
She paused uncertainty, and looked
q0esdoningly into his face. Maybe
you won't understand what l mean,
bat sometimes I'd Ike to be good my
self Awfully good, l mean" She
smiled whimsicaly wouldn't Connie
scream If she heard thatl Now you
won't give me away, will your But 1
mean it. / don't think of it very
often. but sometimes, why, Professor,
honestly, wouldn't care If l were as
good as Prudence!" She paused dra-
matically, and the professor pressed
ths slender hand more closely In his.
-Oh, I don't worry about 1t. I sup
pose one hasn't any business to expect
n good complexion and just natural
goodness, both at once. but" She
smiled again. give thousand dollars"
she added dreamtly give thousand
dollars What shall l call you now?
p'fesser is not appropriate any more,
Is itr'
Call me David, won't you, Carol1
Or Dave"
Carol gasped "Oh. mercyl What
would Prudence sayr She giggled
mcrrily. "Oh, mercyI" She was silent
a moment then. It'll have to be con-
tented with plain Mr.. Duke, l suppose
until you get d. D. Duckie. d. D."
she added laughingly. But in an In
slant she was sober again. 81 do love
our job. If were a man I'd be a
minister myself. Wouldn't be a
peachT
He laughed, too, recovering his eQua-
nimity as her customary buoyant
brightness returned to her
you are" he said, and Oarol an
swered:
thanks" very dryly. I'VE must 60
back now she added presently. And
they turned at once, walking slowly
back toward the parsonage.
Cant you write to me a little often
er, Carroll l hate to be a bother, but
my uncle never writes letters, and /
like to know how my friends here are
getting along. marriages, and deaths,
and Just plain gossip. TIL like It very
much II you can. l do enjoy a good
correspondence with"
DO your" she asked sweetly. How
you have changedl When I was a
freshman l remembAr you told me you
received nothing but business letters,
because you didn't want to take time
to write letters, and"
did II" For a second he seemed a
little confused. well. I'm not crazy
about writing letters, as such. But I'll
be 80 glad to get yours that know I'll
even enjoy answering them"
Inside the parsonage gate they stood
a moment among the rose bushes.
Once again she offered her hand, and
lie took 1t graveiy, looking with sober
iltentness into her face, little pale
In the moonlight He noted again the
royal little head with its grown-up
crown of hair, and the slender figure
with its grown-up length Of skirt.
Then he put his arms around her.
and kissed her warmly upon the child
ish, interpreting lips.
A swift red flooded her face, and re-
ceding as Ewiftly, left her pale. Her
lips Quivcred little, and she caught
her hands together. Then sturdily.
and only slightly tremulous, she looked
into his eyes and laughed. The profess
sor was in nowise deceived by her at
tempt at nght-heartedness, remember
ing as he did the quick quivering lips
beneath his, and the unconScious yield
Ing Of the supple body In his arms.
He condemned himself mentally in no
uncertain terms for having yielded to
the temptation of her young oveliness.
Carol still laughed, determined By her
vnerriment to set the seal Of inAgnin-
cance upon the act
Come and walk a little farther,
1aFel, - MD n . low voice. Z want
- ~ ss0seA1ag else" Thso e1ee .