Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-09-26

the job. She painstakingly hid from
sight all her cherished possessions.
| The twins were in the barn, presum-
ably deep in plots. Aunt Grace was at
the Ladies' Aid. So when Fairy came
in, about four in the afternoon, there
was only Prudence to note the venge-
full glitter in her fine clear eyes. And
Prudence was so intent upon feather
stitching the hens Of pink checked
dish towels, that she did not observe
lit.
where's papa?' Fairy asked.
| upstairs"
| where are the twins?"
I'm the barn, getting ready for THE
DAY"
Fairy smiled delightfully."- and skip
ped eagerly up the stairs. She was
closeted with her father for some
time and came out of his room at last
with a small coin carefully concealed
in the corner Of her handkerchief
She did not remove her hat, but set
briskly out toward town again.
Prudence, startled out Of her feath-
er stitching, followed her to the door.
why, Fairy" she called. Are you
going out again?'
Fairy threw out her hands. $50 it
seems. An errand for papa She
lifted her brows and pursed up her
ilips, and the wicked joy in her face
pierced the mantle Of Prudence's alb
sorption again. =
What's up?" she questioned curl.
ous1y, following her sister down the
steps.
Fairy looked about hurriedly, and
then whispered few words of ex-
PLANTATION. Prudence's look changed
to one of unnaturally spiteful glee.
Good! Fine! Serves 'em right!
! You'd better hurry"
Tell Aunt Grace, will you. But
don't let Connie in until morning.
She'd give it away"
At supper time Fairy returned and
the twins, their eyes bright with the
unholy light of mischief. never looked
at her. They sometimes looked heav-
onward with sublime contentment
that drove Connie nearly frantic. Oc-
casionally they uttered cryptic words
about the morrow-and the older
members of the family smiled pleas.
antly, but Connie shuddered. She re-
membered so many April Fools days.
The family usually chung together
on occasions Of this kind, feeling
there was safety and sympathy in
numbers-as so many towards have
felt for TO- these many years. And
thus it happened that they were all in
the dining room when their father ap.
ipeared at the door. He had his hands
behind him suggestively.
Twins" he said without pre-.
am BILE, what do you want more than
anything else?"
"Silk stockings was the prompt
and unanimous answer.
He laughed. Good guess, wasn't
it," And tossed into their eager hands
two slender boxes, nicely wrapped.
The others gathered about them with
smiling eyes as the twins TREMENDOUSLY
tore off the wrappings.
"A. Phoole's Pure Silk Thread Hose
Guaranteed" This they read from
the box-neat golden lettering. 1t
was enough for the twins. With cries
of perfect bliss they flung themselves
upon their father, kissing him raptur'
ously wherever their lips might touch
"Oh, papa!" ooh, you darling!" And
then, when they had some sort Of con-
troll of their joy, Lark said solemnly
Papa, it is a gift from heaven!"
Fairy choked suddenly and her fl
of coughing interfered with the twins
. gratitude to an all-suggesting Provi
dence!
Carol twisted her box nervously
, "You know, papa, it may seem very
childish, and-silly to you, but-actu
ally-we have-well, prayed for silk
, stockings. We didn't honestly expect
to get them, though--not until we say
ed up money enough to get them our
selves. Heaven is kinder to us thar
. We"
"You can't understand such things
papa" said Lark. maybe you dom
know exactly how-how they feel
When We 90 to Betty Hills we veal
her silk stockings and lie on the bed
and-she won't let us walk in~them
for fear we may wear holes. Every
! girl in our class has at least one pair
Betty has three, but one pairs holey
and-we felt so awfully poor"
The smiles on the family faces were
rather stereotyped by this time, bu
i the exulting twins did lot notice. Lark
looked at Carol fondly. Carol sighed
at Lark blissfully. Then, with one &C
cord, they lifted the covers from the
1 boxes and drew out sthe shimmerina
hose. Yes shiny drift -but-they