Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-06-27

'Damsel," she said, 1T is the vii
Of Skull and Crossbones that you hi
! ye to yonder orchard,-Avery's,
mean-and bring hither some of tn,
golden apples baskins in the SUM-"
What" calculated Connie. startled
out Of her respect.
Carol frowned. y
Connie fastened to modify her tone
Did she say you might have them?'
she inquired politely.
THAT concerns thee not, it's fol
thee only to render obedience to the
orders of the Society. Go out through
our field and sneak under the fence
where the wires are loose and hurry
back. We're awfully hungry. The
trees are near the fence. There isn't
any danger"
But it's stealing objected Connie
What will Prudence"
"Damsel!" And Connie turned to
obey with despair in her heart.
Bring twelve" Carol called after
her, 'that'll be four apiece. And hur-
~, Connie. And see they don't catch
you while you're about It,"
After she had gone the twins lay
back thoughtfully on the hay and
stared at the cobwebby roof above
them.
TITS a good thing Prudence and
Fairy are downtown" said Lark sage
ly.
Eyes, or we'd catch it," assented
Carol But | don't see why! The
Averys have too many apples. and
they are going to waste. I'm sure
Mrs. Avery would rather let us have
them than the chickens"
They lay in silence for while.
Something was hurting them, but
whether it was their fear Of the wrath
of Prudence or the twinges Of tender
consciences-who can say?
"She's an unearthly long time about
it," EXCLAIMED Lark, at last. do you
suppose they caught herr"
This was an awful thought and the
girls were temporarily suffocated. But
they heard the barn door swinging be-
meath them, and sighed with relief.
It was Connie! She climbed the lad
der skillfully and poured her golden
treasure before the arch thieves, Skull
and Crossbones.
There were eight big tempting ap-
pies.
Hum! Eight" said Carol sternly.
II said twelve"
Eyes, but was afraid some one
was coming. I heard such noise
through the grapevines, so I got what
could and ran for 1t. There's three
apiece for you, and two for me-" said
Connie, sitting down socially beside
them on the hay.
she ordered. when Skull and Cross
bones feast, thou canst not yet share
the festive board. Rise thee and
speed"
Connie rose and walked soberly to-
ward the ladder. But before she dis
appeared she fired this parting shot,
II don't want any of them. Stolen ap-
pies don't taste very good, I reckon
Carol and Lark had the grace to
flush a little at this, but however the
stolen apples tasted, the twins had no
difficulty in disposing Of them. Then,
full almost beyond the point of COM
fort they slid down the hay chutes,
went out the back way, climbed over
the chicken coops-not because 1t was
necessary. but because 1t was their
idea of amusement-and went for a
walk in the field. At the farthest cor
ner of the field they crawled under
the fence. cut through a neighboring
potato patch and came out on the
street Then they walked respectfully
down the sidewalk, turned the corner
and came quietly in through the front
door of the parsonage.
Prudence was in the kitchen pre-
pairing the evening meal. Fairy was
in the sitting room, busy with her
books. The twins set the table con-
scientiously filled the wood box and
in every way labored irreproachably.
But Prudence had no word Of praise
for them that evening. She hardly
seemed to know they were about the
place. She went about her work with
pale face and never smile to be
SEEN
Supper was nearly ready when
Connie sauntered in from the barn.
After leaving the haymow she had
found a cozy corner in the corn crib,
with two heavy lap robes discarded
by the twins in their fight from
wolves. and had settled down there
to finish her story. AS she stepped
into the kitchen Prudence turned to
her with such sorry, reproachful
gaze that Connie was frightened.
Are you sick, Prue?" she gasped
Prudence did not answer. She went
70 tho door and called Fairy "FiniSh
getting supper, will you, Fairy? And
when you are all ready, you and the
twins go right on eating. Don't wait
for father-he isn't coming home until