Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-03-25
CHAPTER v.

AS the morning passed on and n
drew near to tina o hour Sidney
Graham found himself almost excited
over the prospect Of the girls COM
ing. Such foolish fancies as a fear
and would not come at all presented
themselves to his distraught brain,
which refused to go on Its we'll order
ed way, but kept reverting to the ex-
pected caller and what he should say
to her. when at last she was an
nounced. he drew back hts chair from
the desk, and prepared to meet her
with a strange tresnor in his whole
bearing. 1t annoyed him, and
brought almost a frown Of sterness to
his fine features. It seemed not quite
in keeping with his dignity as junior
member of his fathers Arm that he
should be 50 childish over a simple
matter like this, and he began to
doubt whether, after all, he might not
be doing a most unwtse and irregular
thing IN having anything at all to do
with this girls preposterous PROPOSE
ton. Then Shirley entered the ONCE,
looked eagerly into his eyes; and he
straightway forgot all his reasoning.
He met her with a smile that seemed
to reasshre her, for she drew in her
breath half relieved, and smiled shy
ly back,
She was wearing a little old crepe
de chine waist that she had dyed a
real apple-blossom pink in the wash
bowl with a bit of pink crepe-paper
and a kettle of boiling water. The
collar showed neatly over ,the shabby
dark-blue coat, and seemed to reflect
apple-blossom tints in her pale
cheeks. There was something sky
like in the tint Of her eyes that gave
the young ms a sense of spring fit
ness as he looked at her contentedly.
He was conscious Of gladness that she
looked as good to him in the broad
day as in the dusk Of evening. There
was still that spirited lift. Of her chin,
that firm set Of the sweet lips, that
gave a conviction Of strength and
nerve. He reflected that he had sell
dom seen it in the girls Of his ac-
quaintance.> Was it possible that
poverty and privation and big respon-
sibility made it. Or was it just innate?
"You-you have found <out?" she
asked breathlessly as she sat down on
the edge Of the chair. her whole body
tense with eagerness.
Sure! It's all right he said
smilingly. You can rent It IL you
wish" -
And the price %? It was evident
the strain was intense.
Why. the price will be all right,
I'm sure. 1t really isn't worth what
you mentioned at all. It's only a
barn, you know. We couldn't think
OF taking more than ten dollars a
month, il we took that. I must look
it over again; but it won'tube more
than ten dollars, and it ma be less"
Young Graham wore a1iso most
businesslike tone to say thisl and his
eyes were on the paper-knifeg where
blotter pad or the desk.
OH" breathed Shirley, the color
almost leaving her face entirely with
the relief Of his words. "Oh, really? Pr
And o haven't lost your nerve
about living away out there in the
country in a great empty barn." he
asked quickly to v her ernbarrass-
ment-and his own. too, perhaps.
"Oh, no." said Shirley with a smile
that showed a dimple in one cheek,
ard the star sparks,in her eyes. "Oh,
be empty when@we all get into it."
Are there many OF you?" he asked
interestedly. Already the CONVERSE
ton was taking on a slightly personal
tinge, but neither Of them was at all
aware Of It.
Two brothers and two sisters and
mother" said the girl shyly. She was
so full of delight owe finding that she
could rent the barn hat she hardly
knew what she was answering. She
was unconscious Of the fact that she
had in a way taken this strange young
man into her confidence by her shy,
swee tone and manner.
"Your mother approves Of your
plan ?" he asked. "she doesn't object
to the country
oh, I haven't told her YETI said
Shirley. II don't know that I shall:
for she has been quite sick, and she
trusts me- entirely. She loves the
country, and 1t will be wonderful to
her to get out there. She might not
like the idea Of q barn beforehand;
but she has never 9 the barn, you
know. and, besides. it won't look like
II must talk it owe with George and
Carol, but I don't think I shall tell
her at all till, we take her out there
and surprise her. I'll tell her I've
found a place that I think she wilt
like, and ask her IL I may keep It 4
surprise. She'll be willing, and she'll
be pleased, l know! Her eyes were
smiling happily. dreamily: the dream
'er vas uppermott in her face now.
and made 1t lovely; then a sudden
cloud came, and the strong look re-
turned. with courage to meet Q
storm.
but, anyhow" she nnished after =
pause, I'VE have to 50 there TOR the
summer, for we've nowhere else to- 90
that we can afford: and anywhereiout
OF the city viii be good. ven II moth.
or doesn't Just choose It. I think per-
hapS It will be easier for hsr II she