Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-10-03

Observation-Disclosures NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS."
CHAPTER Nv. (Continued)
The twins were undeniably lazy, and
opt Is late Of mornings as the par
anase law allowed. SO it was that
hen Lark skipped into the dining
oom three minutes late Tor oreak-
Sst, she found the whole family, Win
~ exception of Carol well IN the
nidst Of their meal.
#gseehe was sick" she began quickly,
HEN interrupting herself-'Oh, good
corning! Beg pardon for forgetting
~ manners. But Carol was sick, Pru-
2Snce, and hope you and Fairy are
ehamed OF yourselves-and auntie,
x6o--for making fun of her. She
sSuidnt sleep all night, and rolled and
faased and her head hurt and she talk
r. In her sleep, and
Eel thought she didn't sleep.
"Well, she didn't sleep much, out
Ian she did she mumbled and said
&Ajngs and"
EThen the dining room door opened
SSxain and Carol-her hair about her
Shnulders, her feet bare, enveloped IN
asoft and clinging kimono of faded
&ue -stalked majestically into ING
om, There was woe IN ner eyes,
"a her voice was tragic. y,
fAIt ID gone" she said. IT Is gone!
Her appearance was uncanny TO say
- least, and the family gazed at her
eth sone concern, despite the fact
~ Carols vagaries were so common
unusually to elicit small respect.
M"Gone!" she cried, striking ner
Inns iogether. "Gone!' !.
ss:If YOU do anything to spoil that
S6dine. papll whip you, II you are
Gieen years old" said Fairy.
@iark sprang to her sisters side.
Shaf's zone, Carrier" she pleaded
ith sympathy, almost with tears.
Tn.ts rome! Are you out Of your
S3ed?"
dramatic answer.
TBven Lark fell back, for the mo- ;.
Snt. stunned. "Y-your complexion.
y faltered. -.
Look! Look at me, Lark. Don't
ID zee? MY complexion Is gone-my
autiful complexion that lovea.
ook at me! Oh, l would gladly have
criiced leg, or an arm, a-riD OF
10. but not my dear complexion! .
Mnure enough, now that they looked
Srefully, they could indeed perceive
~ IA usual soft creaminess of Car.
RI etin was prickled and spared
Eith uaiv red splotches. Her eyes
49, veteYy, shot with blood. For
- they Raxed in silence. then they
ut into laughter.
#yraeg" cried Fairy. ITS raspberry
coming out, Carroll"
Ea'ha. corners Of Carols lips twitched
aAtly and It was with difhculty that
~ maintained her wounded regal
sSrinr. But Lark, always quick to
~ IN indignity to this twin Of her
lGart, turned upon them anerily;
HsFairy Starr! You are wicked I'M
HSiing thing! You sit there and laugh
~ talk about pie when Carol Is SICK
M 0VRering-her lovely complexion
l ruined. and 1t was the Joy OF my
r.. that complexion was. Papa
w don't you do something"
INIT he only laughed harder than
YER s'If there's anything more pre-
SSterous than Carols vanity because
her beauty, it's Larks vanity Tor
he said.
Aunt Grace drew Carol to her side.
"a examined the ruined complexion
Soseiy. Then she smiled, but. there
~ regret in her eyes.
well, Carol, you've spoiled your
~ Of the wedding sure enough.
Eou,ye got the, measles.
Then came the silence of utter hor-
.Not the measles" begged Carol,
vounded afresh. "Give me diphtheria
Z smallpox, or-or even leprosy. and
ii bear it bravely and with smile,
III 1t shall not be said that Carols
n1asles spoiled the wedding"
"Oh. Carol" walled Prudence, don't
ave the measles-please don't. I've
katted all my life for this wedding
ont spoil it,
Nell. it's your own fault, Prue," in
Interrupted Lark. "If you hadn't kept
y III cOoped UP when we were little
ye'd have had the measles long ago.
low. like as not the whole family'll
ave ,em, and serve you right. No self
especting family has any business to
row up without having the measles"
ssWhat shall we do now" queried
Constance practically.
.sWell, always said it was mis-
ake.n said Fairy. "a big wedding"
t.sOh, Fairy. please don't tell me
hat again. know it SO well. Papa.
7hatevef shall we do? Maybe Jerry
asn't had them either