The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-08-08

A
~ plates OF sandwiches and cake
were placed upon II. In tho center
was an enormous punch-bowl. full
OF lemonade.
From every nook and corner OF
the house they hunted out chairs,
anticipating roal run upon tho
parsonage. Nor were they diaap-
pointed. The twins and Connie
were not even arrayed In their
plain little ginghams. before the
first arrivals.
Prudence and Fairy. freshly
gowncd and smlling faced. received
them with cordlality II was not
difficult for them. they had been
reared IN the hospitable a,mos'
phere OF Methodist parsonages.
hut Prudence was concerned TO
observe that big easy chair placed
we'll back in secluded corner.
seemed 20 DO giving dlssatiHfaction
II was Mira. Adams who sat there
first. She seemed 10 be gripping
tho arms OF the chair with unneces-
sary fervor. Presently she went In
TO the other room.
After that, Mrs. Miller tried tho
corner chair. and soon moved away
Then Mrs. Jack. Mrs Norcy. and
Mrs need. IN turn. sat thcrc-and
did not stay.
Al first opportunity, Prudence
hurried into tho secluded corner,
intent upon trying the chair for her.
self. She sat down anxiously. Then
abe gasped and clutched frantically
at the arms OF the chair. For she
discovered that the chair was bot.
tomlcss. and that only by hanging
on for her life could sho keep from
dropping thru.
She realized the wisest thing
would be 10 discuss II publicly. Any.
thing would be better than leaving
Il for tho Ladies to comment upon
privately.
SO up rose Prudence. pulling
after her the thin cushion which
had concealed the chairs short.
coming
Look. Fairy" sho cried. ibid
you take the bottom out OF this
chAir7f
Fairy was frankly amazed.
ASK the twins" sho said tersely.
Il know nothing about H."
At that moment. the luckiess
Carol went running thru tho hall.
Carroll" Prudence called.
Carol opened tho door. She
smiled CHRONOLOGICAL MAS near.
~ always wiEsome.
How DO you do" she said
brightly. Isn't II n lovely day. Did
you call me. Pruden~eT"
Yes. DO you know where the
bottom Of that chair has gonuf"
why. no. Prudence-Eracious'
That chalr,--I didn't know you
were going 20 bring that chair In
here why-oh. am 80 sorry"
Some Of the Ladies' smiled
Others lifted their brows and
shoulders in mildly suggestive
way. that Prudence. after nineteen
years In the parsonage, bad learned
TO know and dread.
And where IL tho ehair.bottom
now she inquired. And why did
you take ~"
why. We wanted 10 make"
You and fars ,"
well. yes but Il vas really ail
my fault. sou know. We wanted
to mako a seat up high in the peach
trcc. and No couldn't find n board
the right shape. SO she dlcovsret
Il mean. | did--that By pulling out
two tiny nails We could get the bot
tom off the chair. and II was Just
fine. We never use that chair. yot
know. and We didn't think OF you
needing IL today. I'm so sorry abou
H."
Carol was quite crushed. but Pru
dence smiled at her kindly.
THAT wasn't very naughty
Carol" she said frankly. It's ,ru,
that We seldom use that chair.
She glanced reproachfuliy nj Fairy
1T ia strange that In busting II
Fairy-but never mind. You ma,
20 now. Carol. II r. all right"
Then she apologizcd gently 10 tn
Ladies'. and tho conversation wen
on, but evidently they thought sh'
was too leuient.
We'll. u wasn't very naughty.
she thought wrctchedlv. How cal
/ | pretend II was terribly bad. whei
I feel I'm my heart that II wasn't
Before long. the meeting wa
called to order. Tho business wa
presently disposed Of SO far
things we're not too seriously bad
and Prudence sighed in great relief
Then the Ladies' took out thei
sewing, and talked together pleas
antly and gayly. And Prudence an
Fairy felt that the cloud was lifted
Followed a quiet hour, and the
the Ladies' put aside their SEWN
and walked about the room. chat
! ting in little groups.