Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-06-15
/ CHAPTER II (Continued.)

Now, some OF Lark's stories were
such weird and fearful things that they
had seriously interfered with Comics
/ slumbers. and Prudence had sternly
prohibited them. But this evening
Just q she opened the kitchen door
she heard Lark say in thrilling tones:
"She crept down the stairs in deep
darkness, her hand sliding lightly over
the rail. Suddenly she stopped. Her
hand was arrested In its movement
Ice cold fingers gripped hers tightly
Then with one piercing shrek, she
plunged forward, and fell to the bot
tom 81 the stairs with a terrific crash.
while a hooking laugh
The kitchen door slammed sharply
behind prudence as she stepped into
the kitchen, and Comics piercing
shrek would surely have rtvaled that
Y of Larks unfortunate heroine. Even
Carol started nervously, ana let the
plate she had been solemnly w1p1ng
Z for nine minutes, fall to the floor.
Lark gasped and then began sheep
/ ishly washing dishes as though her
I life depended on it. The water was
cold and little masses Of grease chung
to the edges Of the pan and hoated
about on the surface of the water.
Get fresh hot water. Lark, and fin
ish the dishes. Connie, 60 right up
/ stairs to bed. You twins can come IN
10 me- as soon as you finish."
But Connie was afraid to 60 to bed
alone and Prudence was obliged to
accompany her. So 1t was in their
own room that the twins finally faced
IN indignant Prudence.
s.Csrol. you may 60 right straight
Is bed. And Lark do not know
what IN the world to do with you.
why don't you mind me and do as
tell YOU? How many times have told
YOU not to tell weird stories like that!
Can't you tell nice, interesting, mild
stories7"
prudence, as sure as you live. |
can't! / start them just as mild and
proper as can be, but before get half
way through, murder, or death, or
mystery crops in, and can't help It."
"But you must help 1t, Lark. Or l
shall forbid your telling stories OF any
kind. They are SO silly. those wild
things, and they make you all ner-
vous, and excitable, and-Now, think,
LArkie, and tell me how I shall pun
] ish you" @. Gs
Lark applied all the resources Of
I her wonderful brain to this task, and
I presently suggested reluctantly:
well you might keep me home from
4 the Ice cream social tomorrow night"
l But her face was wistful. ..-
.No," said Prudence decidedly, to
I Lark's intense relief. Il can't do that.
\ You've been looking forward to it so
I long and your class Is to help with
the serving. No, not that, Larkie.
That would be too mean. Think of
something else" .e. -
.Well--you might make me wash
and dry the dishes all alone-for a
A week, Prudence, and that will be a
I bad punishment, too, for just despise
I washing dishes by myself. Telling
I stories makes 1t so much-livelier."
sAll right, then" said Prudence, re-
I lieyed In turn, "that is what l will do.
And Carol and Connie must not even
stay In the kitchen with you"
IT believe I'll 60 to bed now, too, -
said Lark, with thoughtful glance at
/ her two sisters, already curled up
i snugly and waiting for the conclusion
sof the administering of justice. III
/ you don't mind, Prudence
Prudence smiled bit ruefully. "Oh,
\ I suppose you might as we'll, if you
like. But remember this, Lark: No
]. more deaths, and murders. and mys'
&teries, and highway robperies."
"All right, Prudence" said Lark
with determination. And as Prudence
l walked slowly down stairs she heard
4 Lark starting in on her next story:
Once there was handsome young
man named Archibald Tremaine-a
very respectable young fellow He
4; wouldn't SO much as dream of robbing
Nsor numbering. or dying
Then Prudence smiled to herself in
THE dark and hurried down.
The family had been In the new par
{. sonage only three weeks. when visit