Dawn of a New Day Read Online Free

speech was over, and Kennedy smiled and said, “I would like to take a few questions. Our time is short, so I can only take three or four. If you will.” He broke off, saying, “Well, young man, I see you’re the first volunteer. What’s your name?”
    â€œMy name’s Mark Stevens, Senator Kennedy.”
    â€œWhat’s your question, Mr. Stevens?”
    Mark had a good, strong voice, and he said, “Mr. Kennedy, on our currency there are the words, ‘In God We Trust.’ Do you believe this?”
    A shocked look swept across Kennedy’s face. He was a Catholic, of course, and had already gone through intense grilling. He had not expected it from what appeared to be a high school student in the backwoods of Arkansas. Now he said, “I don’t think my religion is the issue here.”
    â€œWhy, Mr. Kennedy, the founders of our nation believed in God, and as I’ve said, our currency says we trust in him. I’d like to hear your comment on how that will affect you if you’re elected president.”
    Kennedy’s lips drew tight, and he lost his smile for a moment. “You’re not a reporter in disguise, are you, young man?” Laughter followed his remark, and Kennedy regained his good humor. “When I’m elected president,” he said, “you’ll probably be a star reporter for the New York Times . I want you to come to my first news conference, and I’ll guarantee you I will answer any questions.” He sensed the mood of the audience, however, and said, “Of course I believe in God, and I believe in the values that the fathers of the nation have set before us….”
    After the meeting was over and the four students were on their way home, Debbie said, “I was so thrilled that he answered your question.”
    â€œHe didn’t answer my question.” Mark shrugged. “He just gave me a politician’s noise.”
    From the backseat John said, “Why, he claimed to believe in God.”
    â€œAlmost everybody in America claims that,” Mark said as he swerved to miss a pothole in the road. “I caught him off guard a little bit, but he’s a good man.”
    The car sped on through the darkness. As Mark settled down to the long drive back to Cedarville, Prue noticed that Debbie had moved as close as possible and Mark’s arm had fallen around her shoulder. He steered the station wagon expertly with his left hand, and once she saw Debbie turn her face up and whisper something. Mark’s head came around, and he gave her a quick kiss, then turned his eyes back toward the road.
    Prue got out of the car when Mark stopped. He had let the others out already, and she had seen him take Debbie up to the front door, where they had remained longer than was necessary. When Mark had come back he was whistling and happy. Now Prue got out and said, “Thanks for taking me to the rally.”
    â€œIt was fun, wasn’t it?”
    â€œYes, it was. Good night, Mark.”
    She moved on into the house and found her parents still up.
    â€œYou didn’t have to wait up,” she said.
    â€œWait until you have a little girl going out on her first date and coming in at two o’clock in the morning,” Dent said, but he was smiling. “Did you have a good time?”
    â€œYes. It was nice.” She walked over to her parents, kissed them both, and went upstairs to her room.
    â€œShe don’t seem very happy,” Dent said. “I thought it was going to be fine for her.”
    â€œShe’ll tell me about it tomorrow, Dent.”
    The next day Prue did tell her mother the full story, and when she said, “I thought it was going to be a date, but it was Debbie that he was interested in. Not me,” Violet remembered her own hard times. Now she came over and put her arms around this tall daughter of hers and said quickly, “Your turn will come.”
    â€œNo. It never