Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-03

~
they are pretty strong on athletics al
Harvard. You'd better straighten this
room little and have things looking
nice when he gets here" said Father
Starr, with great diplomacy. And he
was rewarded, and startled, by observ
ing that Prudence frightened wonder
fully at his words.
Yes, do" she urged eagerly. "Get
some of the roses from the corner
bush, and put them on the table there
And when you go upstairs, Fairy
you'd better bring down that little lace
spread in the bottom drawer of our
dresser. It'll look very nice on this
bed.-Work hard, girls, and get every
thing looking fine. He'll be here at
four, he said. You twins must wear
your white dresses, and Connie must
put on her blue and wear her blue
bows. Fairy, do you think it would
be all right for you to wear your silk
dress? OF course, the silk is rather
grand for home, but you do look so
beautiful in it. Father, will you put
on your black suit, or are you too
busy? And don't forget to wear the
pearl cuff buttons Aunt Grace sent
you"
| He went upstairs to obey with de-
spair in his heart But to the girls,
| there was nothing strange in this
exactness on the part Of Prudence. Jer-
| rold Harmer was the hero of the TO-
nance and they must unite to do him
| honor. He was probably a prince In
| disguise. Jerrold Harmer was per-
fectly thrilling name. 1t was really a
shame that America allows no titles.
, Lord Jerrold did sound so noble and
Lady Prudence was very effective, too.
He and Prudence were married, and
had family of four children, named
had passed.
"Ill begin my book right away"
Lark was saying. She and Carol were
in the dining room madly polishing
,, their Sunday shoes-what time they
were not performing the marriage GER
emory of their sister and The Hero.
Eyes, do! But for goodness sake,
don't run her into mule! Seems to
me even Prudence could have done
better than that"
I'll have his automobile break down
in the middle of the road and Pru'
dence can run into it, The carbureter
came off and of course the car
wouldn't run an inch without It,"
Eyes, that's good said Carol ap-
provingly. 1T must be sixty cylin-
der, eight rsepower-er-Ford, or
something real big and costly"
Twins! You won't be ready warn
ed Prudence, and this dire possibility
sent them flying upstairs in panic.
While the girls, bubbling over with
excitement, were dressing for the
great event, Mr.. Starr went downstairs
to sit with Prudence. Carol called to
him on his way down and he paused
on the stair case, looking up at her.
Lark and are going to use some
of Fairy's powder, father she said.
1--WE feel that we simply must on an
occasion like this. And for goodness
sake, don't mention it before Him! 1t
doesn't happen very often, you know,
but today we simply must. Now, don't
you say anything about falling in the
flour barrel, or turning pale all Of
sudden, whatever else you do. We'd be
so mortified, father"
Mr.. Starr was concerned with more
weightier matters and went on down
to Prudence with never 80 much as
reproving shake of the head for the
worldly minded young twins.
Father" began Prudences her eyes
on the lace coverlet, do you think it
would be all right for me to wear that
silk dressing gown Of mothers? l
need something over my nightgown,
and my old flannel kimono is so ugly.
You know, mother said was to have
it, and-I'm twenty now. Do you think
it would be all right? But if you do not
want me to wear it"
Il do want you to- was the prompt
reply. Eyes, 1t is quite time you were
wearing it. I'll get 1t out Of the trunk
myself and send Fairy down to help
you" Then as he turned toward the
door he asked carelessly, els he good
looking, Prudence?'
And Prudence, with a crimson face,
answered quickly, "Oh, really didn't
notice, father"
He went on upstairs then and pres
emily Fairy came down with the dainty
silk gown trimmed with fine soft lace.
II brought my lavender ribbon for
your hair, Prudence. 1t will match
the gown SO nicely. Oh, you do look
so sweet, dearest pity Jerrold Harm
err, can tell you that. Now I must
hurry and finish my own dressing"
But with her foot on the bottom
stair, she paused. Her sister was call
ing after her. Send father down
here, quick, Fairy" ,., -.. g.. g.. ..u.
Father ran down quickly, and Pru-
dence, catching hold of his hands,
whispered wretchedly, "oh, father. he