Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 February 1917 — PRUDENCE OF THE PARSONAGE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PRUDENCE OF THE PARSONAGE

by ETHEL HUESTON

ILLUSTRATED BY C . lAN (Copyright, Jt>y the Bobbs-Merrill Company.)

CHAPTER lll—Continued. “Indeed they are not,” cried Prudence loyally. “They are young, lively, mischievous, I know—and I am glad of It. But I have lived with them ever since they were born, and I ought to know them. They are unselfish, they are sympathetic, they are always generous. They do foolish and Irritating things —but never things that are hateful and mean. They are all right at heart and that is all that cmints. They are not bad girls! What have they done today? They were exasperating, and humiliating, too, but what did they do that was really mean? They embarrassed and mortified me, but not Intentionally! I can’t punish them for the effect on me, you know! Would that be just or fair? At heart, they meant no harm.” It must be confessed that there were many serious faces among the Ladies. Some cheeks wereflushed, some eyes were downcast, some lips were compressed and some were trembling. Every mother there was asking... In her heart, “Did I punish my children just for the effect on me? Did I judge my children by what was in their hearts, or just by the trouble they made me?” And the silence lasted so long that it became awkward. Finally Mrs. Prentiss crossed the room and stood by Prudences side. She laid a hand tenderly on the young girl’s arm, and said In a voice that was slightly tremulous: “I believe you are right, my dear. It is what girls are at heart that really counts. I believe your sisters are all you say they are. And one thing lam very sure of —they are happy girls to have a sister so patient and loving and Just. NotaTlreal mothers have as much to their creditl”

CHAPTER IV. A Secret Society. Carol and Lark, in keeping with their twinship, were the dearest chums and comrades. To them the great, rambling barn back of the parsonage was a most delightful place. It had a big cowshed on one side; andhorse stalls on the other, with a “heavenly” haymow over all, and with “chutes” for the descent of hay—and twins! Now the twins had a secret society—of which they were the founders, the officers and_ the membership body. Its name was Skull and Crossbones. Lark furnished the brain power for the organization, but her sister was an enthusiastic and energptic second. Carol’s club hainewasLadyG wendoly n, and Lark’s was Sir Alfred Angelcourt ordinarily, although subject to frequent change. The old barn saw stirring times after the coming of the new parsonage family. “Hark ! Hark!” soqnded a hissing whisper from the corncrib, and Connie, eavesdropping outside the barn, shivered sympathetically. “What is it! Oh, what is it?” wailed the unfortunate lady. “Look 1* Look! Ilun for your lifel” Then while Connie clutched the barn door in a frenzy, there was a sound of rattling corn as the twins scrambled upward, a silence, a low thud, and an unromantlc “Ouch!" as Carol bumped her head and stumbled. “Are you assaulted?” shouted the bold Sir Alfred, and Connie heard a wild scuffle as he rescued his companion from the clutches of the old halter on which she had stumbled. Up the haymow ladder they hurried, and then slid recklessly down the hay chutes. Presently the barn dbor was flung open, and the “society” knocked Connie flying backward, ran madly around the barn a few times, and scurried under the fence and into the chicken coop. . - A little later Connie, assailed with shots of corncobs, ran bitterly toward the house. “Peeking” was strictly forbidden when the twins were engaged tn Skull and Crossbones activities. And Connie’s soul burned with desire. She felt that this secret society was threatening not only her happiness, but also her health, for she could not sleep for horrid dreams of Skulls and Crossbones at night, and c'Ould not eat for envying the twins their secret and mysterious joys. Finally she applied to Prudence, and received assistance. , _ • The afternoon mail brought tir the parsonage an envelope addressed to “Misses Carol and Lark Starr, the Methodist Parsonage, Mount Mark.

lowa,” and in the lower left-hand corner was a suggestive drawing of a Skull and Crossbones. The eyes of the mischievous twins twinkled with delight when they saw it, and they carried it to the barn for prompt perusal. It read as follows: Miss Constance Starr humbly and respectfully craves admittance into the Ancient and . Honorable Organization of Skull and Crossbones. The twins pondered long on a fitting reply, and the jiext afternoon the postman brought a letter for "Connie, walting impatiently for it She had approached the twins about it at noon that day. “Did you get my application?” she had whispered nervously. But the twins had stared her out of countenance, and Connie realized that she had committed a serious breach of secret society etiquette. But here was the letter! Her fingers trembled as she opened it. It was decorated lavishly with skulls and crossbones, splashed with red ink, supposedly blood, and written in the same suggestive rnlnr. ——— -- Skull'and Crossbones, great in mercy and in condescension, has listened graciously to the prayer of Constance, the Seeker. Hear the will of the Great Spirit! If the Seeker will, for the length of two weeks, submit herself to the wIH of Skull and Crossbones, she shall be admitted into the Ancient and Honorable Order. The week that followed was a gala one for the twins of Skull and Crossbones. Constance swept their room, made their bed, washed their dishes, did their chores, and in every way behaved as a model pledge of the ancient and honorable. The twins were gracious but firm. There was no arguing and no faltering. “It is the will of Skull and-Crossbones that the damsel do this,” they would say. And the damsel did it.

Prudence did not feel it was a case that called for her interference. So she sat back and watched, while the twins told stories, read and frolicked, and Constance did their daily tasks. A week passed, ten days, and twelve. Then came a golden October afternoon when the twins sat in the haymow looking out upon a mellow world. Constance was in the yard, reading a fairy story. The situation was a tense one, for the twins were hungry, and time was heavy on their hands. “The apple trees in Avery’s orchard are -just loaded,” said Lark. “And there are lots on the ground, too. I saw them when I was out in the field this morning.” Carol gazed down into the yard where Constance was absorbed in her book. “Constance oughtn’t to read as much as she does,” she argued. “It’s so bad for the eyes.” “Yes, and w’hat’s more, she’s been getting off too easy for the last few days. The time is nearly up.” “That’s so,” said Lark. “Let’s call her up here.” This was done at once, and the unfortunate Constance stood before them respectfully, as they had instructed her to stand. The twins hesitated, each secretly hoping the other would voice the order. But Lark, as usual, was obliged to be the spokesman.

“Damsel,” she said, “it is the will of Skull and Crossbones that you hie ye to yonder orchard —Avery’s I mean—and bring hither some of the golden apples basking in the sun.” “What!” ejaculated Connie, startled out of her respect. Carols rowned—— Connie hastened to modify her tone. “Did they say you might have them?” she inquired politely. _ ‘"That concerns thee not; ’tis for thee only to render obedience to the orders of the Society. Go out through our field and sneak under the fence where the wires are loose, and hurry back. We’re awfully hungry. The trees are near the fence. There isn’t any danger.” “But it’s stealing,” objected Connie. “What will Prudence—” “Damsel!” And Connie turned to obey with despair in her heart “Bring twelve,” Carol called after her, “that’ll be four apiece. And hurry, Connie. And see they don’t catch you while you’re about it” After she had gone the twins lay back thoughtfully on the hay and stared pt the cobwebby roof above them in silence for a while. Something was hurting them, but whether it was their fear of the wrath of Prudence, or the twinges of tender consciences — who can Say T’ e

“She’s an unearthly long time about it,” exclaimed Lark at last. “Do you suppose they caught her?” This Was an awful thought, and the girls were temporarily suffocated. But they heard the barn door swinging beneath them, and sighed with relief. It was Connie! She climbed the ladder skillfully, and poured her golden treasure before the arch-thieves. Skull and Crossbones. There were eight big, tempting apples. i“Hum! 'Eight!” said Carol sternly. "I said twelve.” Yes, but T was afraid someone was coming. I heard such a noise through the grapevines, so I got what I could and ran for It. There’s three apiece for you, and two for me,” said Connie, sitting down sociably beside them on the hay. But Carol rose. “Damsel, begone,” she ordered. “When Skull and Crossbones feast, thou canst not yet share the festive board. Rise thee, and speed.” Connie rose, and walked soberly toward the ladder. But before she disappeared she fired this parting shot, “I don’t want any of them. Stolen apples don’t taste very good.l reckon.”

Carol and Lark had the grace to flush a little at this, but however the stolen apples tasted, the twins had no difficulty in disposing of them. Then, full almost beyond the point of comfort, they slid down the hay chutes, went out the back way, turned the corner, and came quietly in through the front door of the parsonage. Prudence was in the kitchen preparing the evening meal. Fairy was in the sitting room, busy with her books. The twins set the table conscientiously, filled the woodbox, and in every way labored irreproachably. But Prudence had no word of praise for them that evening. She hardly seemed to know they were about the place. She went about her work with a pale face, and never a smile to be seen. Supper was nearly ready when Connie sauntered in from the barn. After leaving the haymow, she had found a cozy corner in the cornerib, with two heavy laprobes discarded by the twins in their flight from wolves, and had settled down there to finish her story. As she stepped into the kitchen Prudence turned to her with such a sorry, reproachful gaze that Connie was frightened. “Are you sick, Prue?” she gasped. "Prudence not -answer. She went to the door and called Fairy. “Finish getting supper, will you, Fairy? And when you are all ready, you and the twins go right on eating. Don’t wait for father —he isn’t coming home until evening. Come upstairs with me, Connie ; I want to talk to you.” Connie followed her sister soberly, and the twins flashed at each other startling and questioning looks.

three girls were at table when Prudence came into the dining room alone. She fixed a tray-supper quietly and carried it off upstairs. Then she came baek and sat down by the table. But her face bore marks of tears, and she had no appetite. The twins had felt small liking for their food before; now each mouthful seemed to choke them. But they dared not ask a question. They were devoutly thankful when Fairy finally voiced their interest “What is the matter? Has Connie been in mischief?” “It’s worse than that” faltered Prudence, tears rushing to her eyes again. “Why, Prudence! What in the world has she done?” “I may as well tell you, I suppose—you’ll have to know it sooner or later. She—went out into Avery’s orchard and stole some apples this afternoon. I was back in the alley seeing if Mrs. Mdon~couTd do the washing, and I saw her from the other side. She went from tree to tree, and when she got through the fence she ran. There’s no mistake about it—she confessed.” The twins looked up in agony, but Prudence’s face reassured them. Constance had told no tales. “I have told her she must spend all of her time upstairs alone for a week, taking her meals there, too. She will go tq school, of course, but that is all. I want her to see the awfulness of it. I told her I didn’t think we wanted to eat with — a thief—just yet! I said we must get used to the idea of it first. She is heartbroken, but —I must make her see itl” ‘

(TO BE CONTINUED.)

IT WAS A LUSCIOUS APPLE THAT GOT OLD MOTHER EVE INTO TROUBLE, AND APPLES IT IS THAT MAKE TROUBLE FOR CONNIE AND THE TWINS.

Mr. Starn, a widower Methodist minister, has been assigned to the congregation at Mount Mark, la. He has five daughters, Prudence, the eldest, who keeps house; Fairy, Carol and are twins, and Constance. Their advent stirs the curiosity of pH Mount Mark,--and . members of the Ladies’ Aid lose no time in getting acquainted and asking a million questions. Prudence, who la nineteen, has her hands full with the mischievous twins and Connie, but is moved to defend them valiantly when some of the good ladies of the congregation suggest that an older woman is needed to run the family.

If you were In Prudence’s place would you turn in and give Connie and the twins each a sound spanking—as the most effective sort of punishment?