pated notions.'

"Matters whipped up and disappeared, and Kirke went to prayer-meeting.
Aunt Grace saw him; I wasn't there.

"The next day, I met Matters on the street. Rather, he met me.

"'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 circumstantial
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 basement,--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 o