Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-10-06

I'll keep still. But it ought to be
windily you know, since it's the wind
II meant 1t for JOKE" she informed
them. The twins had very disheart
ening way of failing to recognize Con
MES jokes-it took the life out o.
them.
Now read it aloud, Lark, so car
see If you get the proper expression
Carol continued, when Connie was ut
terly subdued.
| Lark obediently but unhappily read
the quaint poem aloud and Carol said
1t was very good. That'll give you 9
better idea of the accent. Now put II
away, and don't look at it again to
might. II you keep 1t up too long you'll
get so dead sick Of it you can't speak
it at ALL"
For two entire weeks. the twins
were changed creatures. Lark read
the blooming piece avidly, repeated
ly and with bitter hate. Carol stood
grimly by, listening intently, offering
curt apt criticisms. Finally, Lark
knew it," and the rest of the time
was spent in practicing before the mir
ror-to see if she kept her face pleas
ant.
For the face has whole lot to dc
with it, my DEAR" said Carol sagely
though the critics would never admit
1T"
BY the evening of the Sunday school
concert-they were concerting for the
sake of hundred dollar subscription
to church repairs-Lark had mastered
her recitation 50 perfectly that the
minds of the parsonage were nearly
at peace. She still felt deep resent.
ment toward the situation, but this
was partially counterbalanced by the
satisfaction of seeing her name in
print directly beneath Carols on the
program.
"Recitation $3.50. Miss Carol Starr.
Recitation -. =. Miss Lark Starr.
It looked very well indeed and the
whole family took proper interest in
1t. No one gave Carols recitation a
second thought. She always recited,
and did 1t easily and well. 1t was
quite a commonplace occurrence for
her.
On the night of the concert she su.
perintended Lark's dressing with ma.
ternal care "You look all right" she
said, ''just fine. Now don't get scared,
Lark. It's so silly. Remember that
you know all those people by heart,
you can talk blue streak to any Of
them. There's no use"
But l can't talk blue streak to
the whole houseful at once" Lark pro-
tested. 1T makes me have such "a
hollow feeling-to see so many white
faces gazing up, and it's hot, and"
stop that" came the stern com
mand. 'You don't want to get cold
feet before you start. Il you do acct.
dentally forget once or twice, don5t
worry. know the piece as well as
you do and can prompt you from be-
hind without anyone noticing it. At
first it made me awfully cross when
they wanted us reciters to sit on tHe
platform for every one to stare at. But
now I'm glad of it. I'll be right beside
you, and can prompt you without any
trouble at all. But you won't forget"
She kissed her. You'll do fine
Larkie, just as fine as you look, and it
couldn't be better than that"
Just then Connie ran in. Fairy
wants to know if you are getting stage
fright, Lark? My, you do look nice!
Now, for goodness sake, Lark, remem-
Der the parsonage. and don't make a
fizzle of it."
who says fizzle?" demanded their
father from the doorway. Never say
die, my girl. Why, Lark, never saw
you look so sweet You have your
hair fixed new way, haven't you?"
Carol did it," was the shy reply.
1T does look nice, doesn't it? I'm not
scared, father, not bit-yet! But
there's hollow feeling"
Get her an apple, Connie" said
Carol. ITS because she didn't eat
any supper. She's not scared"
II don't want an apple. Come on.
let's go down. Have the boys Gomez
mo, but they'll be here in min
ute. Jim's never late. do get sore
at Jim-rd forty times rather 60 with
him than Hartley-but he always puts
off asking us until the last minute and
then have date and you get him. l
believe he does it on purpose. Come
on down."
Aunt Grace looked at the pale sweet
face with gratif1ed delight, and kissed
her warmly. Her father walked
around her. nodding approval
You look like a dream" he said.
1.-THE wind a-drifting oe, the lea ne'er
blew upon a tearer sight! You shall
walk with me-"
"Oh. father, you can't remember
that you're obsolete laughed Fairy.
THE twins have attained to the dig
nifty of boys. and aren't satisfied with
the fond but sober arm Of father any
more. Our little twins have dates to-
night. as usual nowadays"
Aunt Grace" he said solemnly. its
wretched business, having a parson-
age full of daughters. Just as soon
as they reach the age of beauty, grace
and charm. they turn their backs on
their fathers and smile on fairer lads"
You've got me, father" said Connie
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