Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-09-23

What are you reading that for?"

What are you reading that for?"
"Why~it's very interesting" ex'
planned Lark, coming to Carols rescue.
Carol was very good at meeting inves-
tigation, but when it came to prolong-
ed explanation, Lark stood preemin-
ent. ''Of course, we don't believe it
yet. But there are some good things
in 1t. Part Of it is very beautiful. We
don't just understand tits very
deep. But some of the ideas are very
fine, and-er-uplifting you know"
I Prudence looked most miserable.
"But-twins, do you think-minister'
daughters ought to read-things like
that?'
why, Prudence, I think minister's
on every subject declared Lark con-
scientiously. How can we be an in
ffuence If we don't know anything
about things? And l tell you what it
| is, Prue, 1 don't think it's right for all
of us church people to stand back and
knock Christian Science when we
don't know anything about it. It's mar.
row minded, that's what it is. It's
downright un-Christian. When you
get into the book you will find it just
full of fine inspiring thoughts-some.
| thing like the bible-only-er-and
very good, you know"
Prudence looked at Fairy and her
aunt in helpless dismay This was
something entirely new in her expert.
ence of rearing family.
IL don't think you ought to read
it, she said slowly. But at the same
time"
"Of course, If you command us not
to read it, we WON'T said Carol gen.
erously.
Eyes. We've already learned quite
a lot about it," amended Lark, with
something of warning in her tone.
What do you think~about it, Aunt
Grace?" .....
"Why-I don't know, Prudence. You
know more about rearing twins than
do"
Prudence at that moment felt that
she knew very little about it, indeed
She turned to Fairy. There was a
strange intentness in Fairys fine eyes
as she studied the twins on the floor
at her feet.
"YOu aren't thinking of turning
Christian Scientists, yourselves, are
your" asked Prudence rather humbly.
"Oh, Of course, we aren't Scientists,
Prudence" was the quick denial
I'VE don't know anything about it yet
really. But there are lots of very help
full things in it and-people talk about
1t SO much, and-they have made such
wonderful cures, you know and
we'd thought we'd Just study up a
little"
"You take the book and read it
yourself, Prue," urged Carol hospit-
ably. you'll see ~what we mean"
Prudence drew back quickly as
though the book would scar her fing:
ers. She looked very forlorn. She re-
allied that it would be bad policy to
forbid the twins to read it. On the
other hand, she realized equally
strongly that twas certainly unwise
to allow it's doctrines to take root in
the minds Of parsonage daughters. If
! only her father were at home-ten
days between herself and the lifting
Of responsibility!
when father comes home she
began. And then suddenly Fairy
spoke.
II think the twins are right" she
said emphatically, and the twins look
ed at her with surprised anxiety
that mated Prudence's own. "It would
be very narrow minded of us to refuse
to look into subject as important as
this. Let them go on and study it;
we can decide things later"
Prudence loked very doubtful, but
warning movement Of Fairy's left
eyelash--the side removed from the
twins-comforted her. 49,
! well she said. -. '''
"Of course, Prudence, we know it
would nearly break fathers heart for
us to go back on our own church-but
don't you think if folks beSbme truly
convinced that Christian Science is the
true and good religion, they ought to
stand by it and suffeI--just like the
martyrs of old?" suggested Lark, and
the suggestion bought the doubt
clouds thick about Prudence's head
once more.
I'VE may not be convinced, of
COURSE" aided Carol. "but there is
something yather-assuring- about it,
"Oh, twins Prudence cried earnest
ly. but stepped as she caught again
The slight suggestive movement Of
Feiry's Left eyelash.
We'll, it go for this afternoon,
she said, eyes intent on Fairys