mper is one of the most
difficult faults to overcome that flesh is heir to, but Ralph, being a
young man of uncommon good sense, may in time curb his temper and
learn to control it, knowing that unless be does so it will handicap
him in his career. Still, a young girl will overlook many faults in
the man she loves. Mary, ere marrying, one should be sure that no love
be lacking to those entering these sacred bonds. 'Tis not for a day,
but for a lifetime, to the right thinking. Marriage, as a rule, is too
lightly entered into in this Twentieth Century of easy divorces, and
but few regard matrimony in its true holy relation, ordained by our
Creator. If it be founded on the tower of enduring love and not
ephemeral passion, it is unassailable, lasting in faith and honor
until death breaks the sacred union and annuls the vows pledged at
God's holy altar."

"Well," replied Mary, as her Aunt paused to take breath, "I am sure of
my love for Ralph."

"God grant you may both be happy," responded her Aunt.

"Mary, did you ever hear this Persian proverb? You will understand why
I have so much to say after hearing it."

"'Says a proverb of Persia provoking mirth;
When this world was created by order divine.
Ten measures of talk were put down on the earth,
And the woman took nine.'"

Speaking to Mary of life on the farm one day, Ralph laughingly said:
"I am taught something new every day. Yesterday your Uncle told me it
was 'time to plant corn when oak leaves were large as squirrels'
ears.'" Ralph worked like a Trojan. In a short time both his hands and
face took on a butternut hue. He became strong and robust. Mary called
him her "Cave Man," and it taxed the combined efforts of Aunt Sarah
and Mary to provide food to satisfy the ravenous appetite Mary's "Cave
Man" developed. And often, after a busy day, tired but happy, Mary
fell asleep at night to the whispering of the leaves of the Carolina
poplar outside her bedroom window.

But country life on a farm has its diversions. One of Mary's and
Ralph's greatest pleasures after a busy day at the farm was a drive
about the surrounding country early Summer evenings, frequently
accompanied by either Elizabeth or Pauline Schmidt, their nearest
neighbors.

One of the first places visited by them was a freak of nature called
"Rocky Valley," situated at no great distance from the farm.

[Illustration: PROFESSOR SCHMIDT]

CHAPTER VII

PROFESSOR SCHMIDT.