Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-09-29


iyou felt about silk stockings. 1t
wasn't his fault. But Fairy and ought
to be ashamed and we are. l went
! out and got you some real genuine
silk ones myself, so you needn't pray
for them any more"
| Prudence was shocked, little hurt,
at the outburst that followed her
words.
well, such a family Aunt Grace
exclaimed. And then Carol pulled her
bodily down beside her on the bed and
for time they were all incapable of
explanations. ....
What Is the joke?" Prudence ask
ed, again and again, smiling-but still
feeling little pique She had counted
on gladdening their sorry little hearts!
Stockings. stockings Oh, such a
family" shrieked Carol.
There's no playing jokes on the
twins" said Aunt Grace weakly. 1T
takes the whole family to square up.
It's too expensive"
Then Lark explained and Prudence
sat down and joined the merriment,
which waxed SO noisy that Mr.. Starr
from the library and Fairy from the
kitchen, ran in to investigate.
'"April fool April fool" cried Carol.
I'VE never played trick like this,
Larkie-this is our masterpiece"
! You're the incest old things that
ever lived" said Lark, still laughing,
but with great warmth and tenderness
in her eyes and her voice. But you
can take the stockings back and save
your money If you like-we love you
| Just as much"
But this the happy donors stoutly re-
fused to do. The twins had earned this
| wealth of hose, and finally, wiping
their eyes, the twins began to smooth
their hair and adjust their ribbons and
belts.
Whats the matter?" where are
you going?" Will you buy the rest Of
us some silk stockings queried the
family, comic opera effect.
Where are we going?" Carol repeat
ed. surprised, seeming to feel that any
one should know where they were 60
ing, though they had not spoken.
Were going to call on our friends,
of course" explained Lark.
"Of course" said Carol, jabbing her
hair pins in with startling energy.
| And we've got to hurry. We must
go to Mattie's, and Jeans, and Betty's,
and Fans, and Brides, and Alice's.
| and-say, Lark, maybe we'd better
divide Up and each take half. It's kind
of late-and we mustn't miss any
well, what on EARTH" gasped Pru-
dence, while the others stared In
speeches. anazement
| For goodness sake, Carol, hurry.
We have to get clear out to Minnle's
tonight, II we miss our supper"
| But what's the idea? What for?
What are you talking about?"
"Why. you silly thing" said Carol
patiently. I'VE have to 60 and tell our
friends that we've got four pairs of
silk stockings, Of course. I wouldn't
miss this afternoon for the world. And
we'll go the rounds together. Lark.
want to see how they take it," she
smiled at them benignly. Il can i'm
agine their excitement. And we owe 1t
to the world to give 1t all the excite
ment we can. Prudence says So
| Prudence looked startled. Did l
say that?'
Certainly You said pleasure-but
excitement's very pleasing. most of the
time Come on, Larkie, We'll have to
4 walk fast"
And with fond good.by to the gen.
erous family the twins set out to
spread the joyful tidings, Lark paus-
ing at the door just long enough to ex-
plain gravely, "Of course, we won't
tell them-sr-just how it happened,
you know. Lots of things in a parson-
age need to be kept dark. Prudence
says so herself"
How Carol Spoiled the Wedding.
A day in June-the kind of day
that poets have rhymed and lovers
| have craved since time began. On the
side porch of the parsonage, in vide
hammock. lay Aunt Grace, looking Ian
guidly through half closed lids at the
| girls beneath her on the step. Prt-
dence, although her face was AN
! a-dream, bent conscientiously- over the
bit of linen in her hands. And Fairy.
her piquantly bright features clouded
with an unwonted frown, crumpled a
letter in her hand.
| Il do think men are the most aggra-
waiting things that ever lived" she de-
clared. with annoyance in her voice.
] The woman in the hammock smiled
lslightly, and did not speak. Prudence
carefully counted ten threads. and sol
EMMY drew one before she voiced her
question.
What is he saying now?"