Bogalusa enterprise. [volume] (Bogalusa, La.) 1914-1918, 1916-12-28

They are coming!" they uooped te
Miss Alice's window with a speed that
would have done credit to the parson'
age girls themselves.
First came the minister, whom they
knew very well by this time, and con.
isidered quite respectable. He was
lively, as was to be expected of a
Methodist minister, and told jokes,
and laughed at them! Now, comical
rector-oh, very different matter
it wasn't done, that's all! At any rate.
here came the Methodist minister,
laughing, and on one side Of him
tripped small, earnest-looking maid
en-, clasping his hand, and gazing alter
nately up into his face and down at
the stylish cement sidewalk beneath
her feet. On the other side was Fairy.
The Misses Avery knew the girls by
name already-having talked much
with Prudence.
"Such Fairyw gasped Miss MILL
cent, and the others echoed the gasp
but wordlessly.
For Fairy was very nearly as tall
as her father, built upon generous
lines, rather commanding in appear
ance, little splendid-looking. Even
from their windows they could discern
something distinctly Junolike In this
sixteen-year-old girl, with the easy,
elastic stride that matched her ia
theirs, and the graceful head, well car
ried. A young goddess-named Fairy
Behind them, laughing and chatter
ing, like three children, as they were
came the twins with Prudence, each
with an arm around her waist. And
Prudence was very little taller than
they. When they reached the fence
that bordered the parsonage, the scene
for a moment resembled miniature
riot. The smaller girls jumped and
exclaimed, and clasped their hands.
Fairy leaned over the fence, and
stared intently at this, their parsonage
home. Then the serious little girl
scrambled under the fence, followed
closely by the lithe-limbed twins. A
pause, very short one-and then Pru-
dence, too, was wriggling beneath the
fence.
"Hold the wire up for me, papa !"
cried Fairy. "pm too fat" And a sec.
Ond later she was running gracefully
| across the lawn toward the parsonage.
The Methodist minister laughed boy.
ishly, and placing his hands on the
fence post, he vaulted lightly over,
and reached the house with his daugh.
tiers. Then the Misses Avery, school
teachers and elderly, looked at one an
other.
"Did you ever?' gasped the oldest
Miss Avery, and the others slowly
shook their heads.
Now, think! Did you ever see a rec
tor jumping three-wire fence, and
running full speed across his front
yard in pursuit of flying family? Il
may possibly have occurred-we have
never seen 1t. Neither had the three
Misses Avery. Nor did they ever ex
pect to. And if they had seen it, i
| is quite likely they would have Joined
the backsliders at that instant.
But without wasting much time OF
this gruesome thought, they hurried
to window commanding the best view
of the parsonage, and raised it. Thel
they clustered behind the curtains, ant
watched and listened. There wa
plenty to hear! From the parsonage
| windows came the sound Of scamper
ing feet and banging doors. Once Their
was the unmistakable clatter of chat
overturned. With it all there was /
constant chorus of "Oh, lookw "Oh
Ohw "Oh, how sweet" "Oh, papa |
ooh, Prudence!'' "Look, Larkie, Loo
at this!"
Then the eldest Miss Avery close
the window overlooking the parsonag
and confronted her sisters.
1--WE must just make the best Of 1t,
| she said quietly.
But next door the gray old parsor
age was full to overfowing with salts
faction and happiness and love. Every
one has experienced the ecstatic, creep
sensation Of sleeping in a brand-ne,
home. The parsonage girls reveled
the memory of that first night for man
days. 1T may be haunted for all "
know" cried Carol deliciously. "Jul
think, Connie, there may be seve
ghosts camped on the head Of your be-
waiting"
"Carol!"
When the family gathered for wo
ship on that first Sabbath mornin
Mr.. Starr said, as he turned the leave
Of his well-worn Bible, II think
would be well for you to help with Il
morning worship now. When I nnii
reading the chapter, Connie, you vi
make the first prayer. Just pray 4
whatever you wish az You do at nigl
for yourself. I will follow you"
Comics eyes were wide with fespo
slbiNty during the reading Of the cha
ter, but when she began to speak b
voice did not falter. Connie had Mi