The state herald., 1918-03-22

mered when he spoke. Self-conscious.
ness was not habitual to this young
man Of the Iowa farm. He was not
an awkward, ignorant, gangling farm
hand we meet in books and see on
stages. He had attended the high
school in Mount Mark. and had been
graduated from the state agricultural
college with high honors. He was q
farmer. as his father had been before
him, but he was a farmer Of the new
era, one of those men who takes plain
farming and makes It profession.
almost a fine art. Usually he was self
possessed, assertive. confident, but. In
the presence Of this sparkling twin, for
once he was abashed.
Carol was In an ecstasy Of delight.
She was not q man-eater. perhaps, but
she was early romance-mad.
The callow youths Of Mount Mark,
of the Epworth league, and the col
lege, were almost unanimous In lay
ing their alteration at Carols feet. But
Carol saw the elasticity. the buoyan-
cy, of loves like these, and she couldn't
really count them. She felt that she
was ripe for bit Of solid experience
now, and there was nothing callow
about Jim-he was solid enough. And
now, although she could see that his
feelings stirred. she felt nothing but
excitement and curiosity. A proposal,
q real onel II was imminent, she
felt It.
Carol" he began abruptly. Il am
In love-"
.A-ars your" Carol had not a.
pected him to begin in Just that wayS
"Yes; have been for long time.
with the sweetest and dearest gifl In
the world. I know I am not half good
enough for her. but-I love her 20
much that-I believe ! could make her
happy"
"D-do your Carol was frightened.
She reflected that 1t wasn't 20 much
fun as she had expected. There was
something wonderful In his eyes, and
in his voice. Maybe Lark was right
maybe 1t did hurtl Oh, she really
shouldn't have been quite so nice to
himl
"She Is young-so am I-but know
what I want. and II can only have
her, TIL do anything +" His voice
broke a little. He looked very hand.
some. very grown.up. very manly.
Carol quivered. She wanted to run
away and cry. She wanted to put her
arms around him and tell him she was
very. very sorry and she would new r
do 1t again as long as she lived and
breathed.
''Of course" he went on, II am not
a fool. know there isn't girl like
her In ten thousand. but-she's the
one want, and-Carol. do you reckon
there is any chance for met You
ought to know. Lark doesn't have
secrets from you. does shef Do you
think she'll have mer
Certainly this was the surprise Of
Carols life. II II was romance she
wanted, here It was in plenty. She
stopped short In the daisy-bright lane
and stared at him.
Jim Forrest" she demanded. rs II
Lark you want to marry. or mer
Lark, Of coursei"
Carol opened her lips and closed
them. She did It again. Finally she
spoke. "Well. Of all the idiotsl II
you want to marry Lark. what In the
world are you out here proposing to
me forf'
I'm not proposing to you" he OBJ
jected. I'm just telling you about It."
But what fort What's the objecti
Why don't you 90 and rave to herr
He smiled q little. swell, I guess
thought telling you first was one way
Of breaking II to her gently"
I'm perfectly disgusted with you"
Carol went on, perfectly. Here I've
been expecting you 10 propose to me
all week. and"
Propose to you'll Ny starsi"
Don't interrupt me-" Carol snapped.
Last night ! lay awake for hours
look at the rings beneath my eyes"
Il don't see EN-" he interrupted
ukuiu' suiiliuk more DfoaOly.
"Just thinking out . good nowery
rejection for you. and then you trot
me out here and propose to Lark
Well, II that isn't nerve"
Jim laughed loudly at this. He was
used to Carol. and enjoyed her little
outbursts. Il can't think whit on
earth made you imagine I'd want to
propose to you." he said, shaking his
head a. though appalled, At the Idea.
Carols eyes twinkled at that. hut
she did not permit him to see Il.
why shouldn't ! think sof Didn't
you get new gray suitf And haven't
! the best complexion In Mount Mark
Don't all the men want to propose "a
q complexion like miner"
He laughed again. then he sobered.
DO you think Lark will"
II think Lark will turn you down.
said Carol promptly. "snd I hope shs
does. You aren't good enough for her.
| M ona In TIM vravlA 4. s,s,c.V .,...,,..k