Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1918-05-30


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 a
farmer, as his father had been before
him, but he was farmer of the new
era, one of those men who takes plain
farming and makes 1t a profession,
almost 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 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 a bit of solid experience
now, and there was nothing ca1low
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.
O real one! 1t was imminent, she
felt 1t.
Carol" he began abruptly, ST am
in love-"
"A-are your" Carol had not ex-
pected him to begin In just that way.
Eyes; have been for long time,
with the sweetest and dearest girl in
the world. / know / am not half good
enough for her, butt love her so
much that-I believe l could make her
happy"
DIDO your" Carol was frightened.
She reflected that it wasn't so much
fun as she had expected. There was
something wonderful in his eyes, and
IN his voice. Maybe Lark was right
maybe it did hurt Oh. she really
shouldn't have been quite so nice to
him!
"She is young-so am but know
what 1 want, and If can only have
her, I'll do anything L" His voice
broke 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 never
do it again as long as she lived and
breathed.
"Of course" he went on, ST am not
fool know there isn't a girl like
her in ten thousand, but-she'S the
one want, and-Carol, do you reckon
there is any chance for me2 You
ought to know. Lark doesn't have
secrets from you, does she? Do you
think she'll have me2"
Certainly this was the surprise of
Carols life. Ii 1t was romance she
wanted, here it was in plenty. She
stopped short in the daisy-brlght lane
and stared at him.
Jim Forrest" she demanded, sis 1t
Lark you want to marry, or me?"
Lark, of course!"
Carol opened her lips and closed
them. She did it again. Finally she
spoke. "Well. of all the idiots! If
you want to marry Lark, what in the
world are you out here proposing to
me for?'
I'm not proposing to you" he OBJ
jected. I'm just telling you about it."
But what for? What's the object?
Why don't you go and rave to herr"
He smiled a little. "Well, / guess
1 thought telling you first was one way
of breaking it to her gently"
I'm perfectly disguised with you"
Carol went on, perfectly. Here I've
been expecting you to propose to me
all week, and"
Propose to you'll My stars!"
Don't interrupt me-" Carol snapped.
Last night lay awake for hours
look at the rings beneath my eyes"
81 don't see 'em," he interrupted
again, smiling more broadly.
"Just thinking out good iowery
rejection for you, and then you trot
me out here and propose to Lark
| Well, If that isn't nerve!"
Jim laughed loudly at this. He was
|
outbursts. 81 can't think what on
earth made you imagine I'd want to
propose to you" he said, shaking his
head as though appalled, at the idea.
Carols eyes twinkled at that, but
she did not permit him to see 1t.
"Why shouldn't I think so? Didn't
you get new gray suit? And haven't
the best complexion in Mount Mark?
Don't all the men want to propose to
a complexion like miner"
He laughed again, then he sobered.
''Do you think Lark will"
II think Lark will turn you down,
said Carol promptly, "and hope she
does. You aren't good enough for her.
No one in the world is good enough
for Lark except myself. If she should
accept you-I don't think she will, but
if she has a mental alteration and
does-Tll give you my blessing, and