The midland journal., 1946-05-10
CHAPTER v

downright handsome. He looked less
than his forty-nine years, holding
himself erectly, as though in an
effort to disclaim the threat ,of inn
pending overweight.
"For a walk? At this time OF
night" she protested, surprised.
Its seven o'clock, and there'n
be moon," her father told her
almost curtly.
Almost before she had finished
there was the brisk ring of purpose
full footsteps on the old bricked
walk, and a moment later the outer
door opened and Laurence came
In, beaming as he saw her, greeting
her eagerly. He shed his light top
coat and hung it with his hat in its
accustomed corner Of the closet be-
meath the stairs.
''That looks good" He greeted
the open fire and stood before it,
warming his hands. "It's bit nip
py out tonight, and darker than a
pocket. was glad Of my pocket
flash before I got here"
"There Is no moon?" asked Me-
gan in surprise.
''Not yet," answered Laurence.
''Not before nine, I should say"
He stood, tall and honey, and a
little stopped, as though his height
had run away from his weight. His
thick, dark hair was brushed neat
ly back from an intelligent fore
head. His eyes were brown and
steady behind the hornrimmed eye
glasses, his jaw was square and
dogged, his mouth thin-lipped, rath-
er generous but pleasant.
Suddenly he grinned at her, and
said, "Well? Do you see anything
different about me? Have I
changed?"
Megan's eyebrows went up a lit
tie. mo - has something hap
pened?"
"Well, the old Judge called me in
this afternoon, and told me that he
plans to retire next year." Lau-
renee told her eagerly. "The old
fellows getting on and he Is pretty
tired. But he wants me to take
over, beginning now, so that in a
year. he can slip gracefully out Of
the picture and I can carry onl"
''That's splendid, Larry-but no
more than you Deserve" Megan
told him swiftly and eagerly.
He nodded, his eyes very steady
and very serious behind his trimmed
glasses. Thanks, honey" he an
swered, and went on before she
could take note Of the endearment,
"It affects you, too, Of course. That
is, I hope it does"
His smile was confident, assured.
Obviously he was SO sure of her
that his qualification Of the state
ment had been merely a surface
matter.
''It's no secret to you, Meggie,
that you've been my inspiration all
these years, and you must have
known all along that as soon as I
got to the point where / felt sure I
could take care of you, / wanted
you to marry me-" he went on
quietly. "I've got to that point now,
so-will you, Meggie?"
But for some queer reason, Me-
gan hesitated before answering.
Hesitated so long, her eyes on the
fire, her hand lax beneath his own,
that Laurence looked at her in sud-
den sharp alarm and said quickly,
eli, look here, lady-it's polite to
speak when you're spoken to-"
"I'm sorry, Larry" She turned
10 him in quick, contrite apology.
TITS just that-well. I scarcely
know what to say"
Laurence was surprised and
little dashed. But his hand closed
more warmly over hers and he said
with an effort at tightening the
threatening tension, "Well, yes
would be NICE"
"I wish-it could be yes" she
admitted frankly.
Laurence turned sharply, so that
he was sitting sideways on the
lounge, facing her SQuarely. His
thick, dark brows were drawn to-
gether in a puzzled frown and his
eyes were apprehensive.
''See here, Meggie, what are you
giving me? You're not suddenly GO
ing all coy on me?" he demanded
anxiously.
''Of course not" She tried to
laugh at the idea, but it was not a
convincing laugh.
'.Of course, didn't do It with
the proper build-up," he admitted
with a little crooked grin. Maybe
{ should have dropped on one knee
In front of you, with one hand on
nv heart, the other outfiung in q
pleading gesture, and said some
thing like, Miss MacTavish-Miss
Megan-may ] call you Meggie?
WIN you DO me the honor to accept
my undying devotion2"z Shall ! do
Il that way?"