The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-08-07

Prudence tripped happily up
the little board walk.
1.-Two whole stories. and an at
tic besides! Not to mention the
bathroom! Oh! father, the night
after you wrote there was a bath
room. Constance thanked God
for it when she said her prayers.
And / couldn't reprove her, for I
felt the same way about it my
self.
And furnace, too! And cleo
trio lights! Oh, We have waited
long time for it, but I'm sure
we'll all feel much more religious
in parsonage that has a bath
room and electric light! Oh, IA
ther!"
He had thrown open the door,
and Prudence stood upon the
threshold of her new home. 1t
was not a fashionable building,
by any means.
Prudence caught glimpse of
three rooms furnished, rather
scantily, in the old familiar furni-
ture that had been I'm that other
parsonage where Prudence was
born. nineteen years before.
Together she and her father
went from room to room, upstairs
and down, moving a table to the
lett, a bed to the right. After
ward they had cozy luncheon
for two in the "dining-room."
"Oh, it is so elegant to have a
dining-room," breathed Prudence
happily. us that the school over
there?"
Eyes, that's where Connie will
go. There is only one high school
in Mount Mark, so the twins will
have to go to the other side OF
town" - -
ooh, that's a lovely place over
there, father!" exclaimed Pru-
dence, looking from the living
room windows toward the south
Isn't it beautiful?"
yes. The Avery family lives
there. The parents are very old
and feeble, and the daughters are
all-elderly = and all school
teachers. Dear me. it is 2 O'Clock
already, and l must go at once
Mrs. Adams will be here in a few
minutes, and you will not be lone
ly."
But when Mrs. Adams arrived
at the parsonage, she knocked In
vain. Finally she went into the
back yard. She peered into the
woodshed, and saw no one. She
went into the barn-lot, and found
it empty. In despair, she plunged
into the barn-and stopped
abruptly.
In a shadowy corner was a
slender figure kneeling beside ar
overturned nail key. Evidently
this was Prudence engaged in
prayer-and in the barn, of all
places in the world!
"A-a-a-hem!" stammered
Mrs. Adams inquiringly.
"Amen!" This was spoken
aloud and hurriedly, and Pru.
dence leaped to her feet.
She ran forward eagerly, thrust.
ing forth a slim and grimy hand
you are Mrs. Adams, aren't
you? l am Prudenc Starr. It is
so kind of you to come the very
first day." she cried.
"Ye-yes, l am Mrs. Adams
Mrs. Adams was embarrassed. In.
terrogation was written all over
her ample face, and Prudence
promptly read it and fastened to
reply.
II do not generally say my
prayers in the barn, Mrs. Adams,
assure you. But--well, when
found this grand. old, rambling
barn, I was so thankful l couldn't
resist praying about it,"
But a barn!" calculated the
perplexed member" do you call
that a blessing?"
Eyes, indeed l do" declared
Prudence. Then she explained
patiently: ooh, it is on the chill
dren's account, you know. They
have always longed for a big ro-
mantle barn to play in. That's
way | couldn't resist saying my
prayers was so happy l couldn't
hold in"
AS they walked toward the
house, Mrs. Adams looked at this
parsonage girl In dismay.
Prudence was nineteen from al
account, but she looked like 9
child. Yet this girl had full
charge of four younger children
and was further burdened- will
the entire care of a minister-fa
Their! Well, we'll! Mrs. Adams
sighed little.
you are tired" said Pru-
dence alphabetically. Lets sii
on the porch until you are nicel'
rested" @
"This is a fine chance for us K
get acquainted, said the goot
woman with eagerness. Ivan
to know all about every one o
lyou. Tell me everything"
There isn't much to tell sait
Prudence, smiling. There arr
five of us; I am the oldest, an
nineteen. Then comes Fairy, thei
the twins, and then the baby"
| Are the twins boys. or q BIO!
and a girl?" 80
Neither" said Prudence. "the!
are both girls"
4 More girlsl" gasped Mrs
i Adams. And the baby?"
"she is a girl. too" And Pru