Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-12-21

with some concern, despite the fac
that Carols vagaries were so common
as usually to elicit small respect.
"Gone!" she cried, striking her
palms together. "GOnew
''If you do anything to spoil that
wedding, papa'll whip you, If you arc
fifteen years old" said Fairy.
Lark sprang to her sisters side,
"What's gone, Carrier" she pleaded
with tears. "Whats gone? Are you
out of your head?"
mo! Out of my complexion" was
the dramatic answer.
Even Lark fell back, for the moment,
stunned. "Y-your complexion" she
faltered.
"Look! Look at me- Lark. Don't
you see? My complexion is gone
my beautiful complexion that 1 loved
Look at me! Oh, would gladly have
sacrificed a leg, or an arm, Arb or
an eye, but not my dear complexion"
Sure enough, now that they looked
carefully, they could indeed perceive
that the usual soft creaminess of Car
OILS skin was prickled and spared
with ugly red splotches. Her eyes
were watery, shot with blood. For
time they gazed in silence, then they
burst into laughter.
"Pie" cried Fairy. TITS raspberry
pie, coming out, Carolw
The corners of Carols lips twitched
slightly, and it was with difficulty that
she maintained her wounded regal
bearing. But Lark, always quick to
resent an indignity to this twin Of her
heart, turned upon them angrily.
FAIRY Starr! You are wicked, I'M
feeling thing! You sit there and
laugh and talk about pie when Carol
is sick and suffering-her lovely COM
plexion all ruined, and 1t was the joy
of my life, that complexion was.
Papa-why don't you do something"
But he only laughed harder than
ever. "If there's anything more pre-
posterous than Carols vanity because
of her beauty, it's Lark's vanity for
her." he said.
Aunt Grace drew Carol to her side,
closely. Then she smiled, but there
was regret in her eyes.
"Well, Carol, you've spoiled your
part of the wedding sure enough.
You've got the measles"
Then came the silence Of utter hor-
ror.
"Not the measles" begged Carol,
wounded afresh. "Give me diphtheria.
or smallpox, or-or even leprosy, and
I'll bear it bravely and with smile,
but it shall not be said that Carols
I measles spoiled the wedding"
"Oh, Carol" walled Prudence, "don't
have the measles-please don't. I've
waited all my life for this wedding
| don't spoil it."
SWELL 1 always said 1t was mis-
; take" said Fairy. "a big wedding"
"Oh, Fairy, please don't tell me that
again. l know 1t so well. Papa, what
ever shall we do? Maybe Jerry hasn't
had them either"
"Why it's easily arranged" said
Lark. well just postpone the we'd
ding until Carols quite well again."
"Bad luck" said Connie.
"Too much work." said Fairy.
swell, she can't get married with
out Carol, can she2" CALCULATED Lark.
"Are you sure it's measles, Aunt
Grace"
Eyes, it's measles"
"Then," said Fairy, "we'll get Alice
Bird or Katie Free to bridesmaid with
Lark. They are the same size and
either will do all right. She can wear
Carols dress. You won't mind that
will you, Carol"
mo" said Carol modify, "of course
I won't. The only real embroidery
? dress l ever had in my life-and
haven't got that. yet! But go ahead
and get anybody you like. I'm hoo
dooed, that's what it is. It's a pun
1 ishment because you and Jim cheated
yesterday, Lark"
!. "What did you do?" asked Connie
"You seem to be getting the punish
ment !"
"Shall we have Alice or Katie
Which do you prefer Lark"
you'll have to get them BOTH" was
the stole answer. II won't brides
: maid without Carol"
f Don't be silly. Lark. You'll have
+ to-"
il "Then wait for Carol"
o Papa, you must make her."