Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-17


served the door ajar, and gave it {
slight push. The lock snapped into
place but Connie did not waken.
Lark remained loyalty with Caro-
until consciousness returned to her
AS soon as she was able to walk, the
two went silently to the barn, ar
climbed into the much-loved haymow,
There they lay fiat on the hay, faces
downward, each with an arm across
the others shoulder, praying fervent
| ly. After time they rose and crept
into the house, where they waited pa
tiently until Fairy came down on one
of her numerous errands.
rs she better?" they whispered
And Fairy answered gently, 81 think
she is little better" Then the twins
in no way deceived, went back to the
haymow again.
Fairy prepared a hasty supper and
arranged it on the kitchen table. She
drank cup Of hot coffee, and went
in search Of her father. GO and eat,
dadsie," she urged But he shook his
head.
II am not hungry, but send the
girls to the table at once"
Fairy stopped the twins. Get Con-
ME and eat your supper. It's just
cold lunch and is already on the
kitchen table. You must help your
selves-1 can't come now"
The twins did not speak, and Fairy
went hurriedly up the stairs once
more.
IT do not think I can eat said Car
II know I can't" was 'Lark's reply.
won't Fairy make us? She'll tell
papa"
WED better take away about half
Of this food and hide 1t. Then she
will think we have already eaten"
This novel plan was acted upon
with promptitude.
where's Connie? She ought to eat
something. We must make her do
it."
"she probably cried herself to sleep
somewhere. We'd better let her
alone. She'll feel much better asleep
and hungry, than awake and sorry for
Prue."
So the twins went back to the hay
NOW. When it grew dark they slip
ped into the kitchen and huddled to-.
gether on the woodbox beside the
stove. And down to them presently
came Fairy, smiling, her eyes tear.
frightened.
"She is better!" cried Carol, spring
ing to her feet.
"Yes," said Fairy. dropping on her
knees and burying her face in Lark's
lap, as she still sat on the woodbox.
"She's better. She is better" Lark
patted the heaving shoulders In a
motherly way, and when Fairy lifted
her face again it was all serene,
though her lashes were wet.
She Is CONSCIOUS said Fairy,
still on her knees, but with her head
thrown back, and smiling. "She re-
gained consciousness little while
ago. There is nothing really serious
the matter. 1t was a hard knock. but
it missed the temple. When she be-
came conscious, she looked up at
father and smiled. Father looked per-
fectly awful, twins, so pale, and his
lips were trembling. And Prudence
said. Now, father, on your word of
honor, did you knock me down with
that ball on purpose?' She spoke very
low, and weak. but-just- like Pru-
dence! Father couldn't say word. he
just nodded, and gulped. She has a
little fever. and the doctors say we
may need to work with her part of
the night. Father said to ask if you
would go to bed now, so you can get
| up early in the morning and help us
l am to stay with Prudence tonight
but you may have to take turns in the
| morning. And you'll have to get
breakfast, too. So father thinks you
would better 60 to bed. Will you dc
that, twinnies?"
Twill wei" And Carol added, Twill
you kiss Prudence good night for us
and tell her we kept praying all the
time? Prudence is such great hand
for praying, you know"