The state herald., 1918-04-05

I
ly. To which aunt always answered
patiently. "Oh, just wait. He isn't SUR
she's grown-up enough yet"
Then there came quiet night wher
Carol and Mr.. Duke sat in the Twins
room. idly discussing the weather, ant
looking at Connie, who was deeply I'm
mersed In book on the other side OF
the big reading lamp. Conversation
between them Jagged so noticeably
that they sighed with relief when sht
finally laid down her book. and twisted
around In her chair until she had then
both In full view.
Books are funny" she began bright
ly. II don't believe half the written
stuff ever did happen-I don't believe
It could. Do girls ever propose, Mr.
DukeT
No one ever proposed to me-" he an
swered, laughing.
"No" she queried politely. '.Maybe
no one wanted you badly enough. Bu,
wonder If they ever dot Writers say
so. can't believe It somehow. II
seems so-well - unnecessary, some
way. Carol and I were talking abou,
1t this afternoon"
Carol looked up startled.
"What does Carol think about itY'
he queried.
swell. she said she thought in orilI-
nary cases girls were clever enough to
get what they wanted without asking
for it."
Carol moved restlessly in her chair.
her face dropping q little. and Mr..
Duke laughed.
"Of course I know none of our girls
would do such thing" said Connie.
serene in her family pride. "But Carol
says she must admit she'd like to find
some way to make a man say what
anybody could see with half an eye
he wanted to soy anyhow. oniy@
Connie stopped abruptly. Mr.. Duke
had turned to Carol, his keen eyes
searching her face. but Carol sank In
the big chair and turned her face away
from him against the leather cushion.
Connie" she said. "of course no
girl would propose. no girl would
want to-I was only Joking"
Mr.. Duke laughed openly then. Lets
20 and take walk, shan't We, Caroli
It's a grand night"
"You needn't 20 to get rid Of me-"
said Connie. rising. II was Just going
anyhow"
''Oh. don't 60" said Mr.. Duke po-
litely.
Don't co." echoed Carol pleadingly.
Connie stepped to the doorway, then
paused and looked back at them. Sud-
den Illumination came to her rs she
scanned their faces. the mans clear
cut, determined. cager-carors shy and
scared and-hopeful. She turned quick.
ly back toward her sister. pain darken-
Ing her eyes. Carol was the last Of
all the girls-it would leave her alone
and he was too old for her. Her lips
quivercd little. and her face shad-
owed more darkly. But they did not
see II. The mans eyes were intent on
Carols lovely features, and Carol was
studying her slender fingers. Connie
drew n long breath, and looked down
upon her sister with great protecting
tenderness In her heart. She wanted
to catch her up In her strong young
arms and carry her wildly out Of the
room-away from the man who sat
thcrc-wai..ng for her
Carol lifted her face at that moment,
and turned slowly toward Mr.. Duke.
Connie saw her eyes. They were lumi.
nous.
Comics tense figure relaxed then
md she turned at once toward the
door. I am going" she said In n low
voice. But she looked back ngnln be-
fore she closed the door after her.
"Cnrol." she said in whisper. "you-
you're darling. live always
thought So"
Carol did not hear her-she did not
hear the door closing behind her-she
had forgotten Connie was there.
Mr.. Duke stood up and walked
quickly across the room and Carol rose
to meet him. He put his arms about
her. strongly. without hcsitnting.
"Carol." he said. "my little song.
hlru -hnu nc uugneu, put very ten
deriy. "would you like TO know how to
make me sny what you know want
TO snyf"
Ill" she begnn tremulously.
clnsping her hands against her breast,
md looking intcntly. ms II fascinated.
Mt his square. Arm chin 80 very near
her eyes. She had never observed It
NO near at hand before. She thought
II was n lovely chin--in another man
she would hnve called II distinctly
"bossy."
"You would try TO mike me when
you know I've been gritting my teeth
for ycnrs. waiting for you TO get grown
M. You've been nwfully slow about II.
Carol. and I've been In such hurry
for you"
She rested Imply In his arms now.
breathing In little broken sighs. not
trying TO spenk.
"You hive known Il n long time,
Invent your And I thought I WAS
u q