Part 6 (1/2)
”'Miss Connie,' he said in a friendly, inviting voice, 'you know there are a lot of things in politics that girls can't get to the bottom of.
You know my record, I've been a good Methodist since before you were born. Sure you wouldn't go on the witness stand on circ.u.mstantial evidence to make trouble for a good Methodist, would you?'
”I looked at him with wide and childish eyes. 'Of course not, Mr.
Matters,' I said quickly. He brightened visibly. 'But if I am called on a witness stand I have to tell what I have seen and heard, haven't I, whatever it is?' I asked this very innocently, as one seeking information only.
”'Your father wouldn't let a young girl like you get mixed up in any dirty county scandal,' he protested.
”'If I was--what do you call it--subpoenaed--is that the word?' He forgot that I was working in a lawyer's office. 'If I was subpoenaed as a witness, could father help himself?'
”Mr. Matters went forlornly on his way and that night Kirke came around to say that the sheriff had informed him casually that he thought his services would not be needed on that boot-legging case,--they had plenty of other witnesses,--and out of regard for the family, etc., etc.
”Kirke smiled at him. 'Thank you very much. And, Matters, I have a hundred and fifty nice cold bottles in the bas.e.m.e.nt,--if you get too warm some summer evening come around and I'll help you cool off.'
”Matters thanked him incoherently and went away.
”That day Kirke and I had a confidential conversation. 'Connie Starr, I believe I am half a preacher right now. You marry me, and I will study for the ministry.'
”'Kirke Connor,' I said, 'if any fraction of you is a minister, it isn't on speaking terms with the rest of you. That's certain. And I wouldn't marry you if you were a whole Conference. And I don't want to marry a preacher of all people. And anyhow I am not going to get married at all.'
”At breakfast the next morning father said, 'I believe Kirke Connor is headed straight, for good and all. Now if some nice girl could just marry him he would be safe enough.'
”Aunt Grace looked at him warningly. 'But of course no nice girl could do it, yet,' she interposed quickly. 'It wouldn't be safe. He can't marry until he is sure of himself.'
”'Oh, I don't know,' I said thoughtfully. 'Provided the girl were clever as well as nice, she could handle Kirke easily. Now I may not be the nicest girl in the world, but no one can deny that I am clever.'
”Father swallowed helplessly. Then he rallied. 'By the way, Connie, won't you come down to Burlington with me for a couple of days? I have a lot of work to do there, and we can have a nice little honeymoon all by ourselves. What do you say?'
”'Oh, thank you, father, that is lovely. Let's go on the noon train, shall we? I can be ready.'
”'All right, just fine.' He flashed a triumphant glance at Aunt Grace and she dimpled her approval.
”'Now don't tell any one we are going, father,' I cautioned him. 'I want to surprise Kirke Connor. He is going to Burlington on that train himself, and it will be such a joke on him to find us there ready to be entertained. He is to be there several days, so he can amuse me while you are busy. Isn't it lovely? He really needs a little boosting now, and it is our duty, and--will you press my suit, Auntie? I must fly or I won't be ready.'
”Aunt Grace looked reproachfully at father, and father looked despairingly at Aunt Grace. But we had a splendid time in Burlington, the three of us, for father never did one second's work all the time, he was so deathly afraid to leave me alone with Kirke.
”Isn't it lots of fun to be alive, Carol? So many thrilling and interesting and happy things come up every day,--I love to dig in and work hard, and how I love to drop my work at five thirty and run home and doll up, and play, and flirt--just nice, harmless flirting,--and sing, and talk,--really, it is a darling little old world, isn't it?
”Oh, and by the way, Carol, when you want a divorce just write me about it. Mr. Nesbitt and I specialize on divorces, and I can do the whole thing myself and save you lots of trouble. Just tell me when, and I will furnish your motive.
”Lovingly as always,
”Connie.”
CHAPTER VI
THE HEAVY YOKE
The burden of ministering rested very lightly on Carol's slender shoulders. The endless procession of missionary meetings, aid societies, guilds and boards, afforded her a childish delight and did not sap her enthusiasm to the slightest degree. She went out of her little manse each new day, laughing, and returned, wearily perhaps, but still laughing. She sang light-heartedly with the youth of the church, because she was young and happy with them. She sympathized pa.s.sionately with the old and sorry ones, because the richness of her own content, and the blessed perfection of her own life, made her heart tender.