The Meridian times., 1917-03-09


cried about IL, wouldn't have cared se
much. But she looked so--heartsick
didn't she, Fairyf"
i Connie certainly was heartsick. More
than that, she was a little dIsgusted
She felt herself aroused to take action.
Things had gone too far Go TO church
In her fathers coat she could not 1 She
walked sturdily down the street toward
the "city"--ironIcally so called. Her
face was stony, her hands were
clenched. But finally she frightened.
Her tagging steps quickened. She
skipped along quite cheerfully. She
turned westward as she reached the
corner of the square. and walked along
that business street with shining eyes.
ln front Of the First National bank she
paused, but after few seconds she
passed By. On the opposite corner was
another bank. When she reached 1t,
she walked In without pauslng. and the
massive door swung behind her.
The four older girls were at the
table when Connie came home. She
exhaled quiet satisfaction from every
pore. Prudence glanced at her once,
and then looked away again. "She has
reconciled herself she thought. Din
ner was half over before Constance
burst her bomb.
Are you going to be busy this after
noon, Prudence7" she asked quietly.
I'VE are going to sew Iittle," said
Prudence. "WhyT
Il wanted you to go downtown with
me after school"
well, perhaps I can do that. Fairy
will be able to finish the coat alone"
''you needn't finish the coat--I can't
wear fathers coat to church, Pru-
dence. It's Ats a-physicai impos-
sibIlity.n
The twins laughed, Fairy smiled, but
Prudence gazed at "the baby" with
tender pity.
I'm so sorry. dearest, but we haven't
the money to buy one now"
"Wlll five dollars be enoughT' In
quired Connie, and she placed crisp
new bill beside her plate. The twins
gaspedl They gazed at Connie with
new respect. They were just wishing
they could handle five-dollar bills so
recklessly.
"Wlll you loan me twenty dollars un-
I'll after Christmas, CONNER" queried
Fairy.
But Prudence asked, where did you
get this money, CONNER
Il borrowed it-from the bank Con
ME replied with proper gravity. II
have two years to pay 1t back. Mr..
Harold says they are proud to have my
trade"
Prudence was silent for several long
seconds. Then she inquired In low
voice, "nld you tell him why you want
ed lt9"
'Yes, l explained the whole situa-
ton"
What did he sayp'
"He said he knew just how I felt,
because he knew he couldn't 20 to
church in his wife's coat.---No, / said
that myself. but he agreed with me. He
did not say very much, but he looked
sympathetic. He said no anticipated
great pleasure in seeing me in my new
coat at church next Sunday"
Go on with your luncheon, twins"
said Prudence sternly. you'll be late
to school. Wen see about going down
town when you get home tonight, Con-
ME. Now, eat your luncheon, and
don't talk about coats any more"
When Connie had gone back to
school, Prudence went straight to Mr..
Harold's bank. Flushed and embar-
rassed, she explained the situation
frankly. my sympathies are all with
Connie" she snid candldly. "But / am
afraid father would not like 1t. We are
dead set against borrowing. After
our mother was taken, we We're crowd
ed pretty close for money. So we had
to go in debt. 1t took us two years to
get it paid. Father and Fairy and l
talked it over then, and decided we
would starve rather than borrow again.
Even the twins understood it, but Con-
ME was too little She doesn't know
how heartbreaking it is to keep hand
Ing over every cent for debt, when one
is just yearning for other things. I do
wish she might have the coat, but I'm
afraid father would not like it. She
gave me the five dollars for safekeep-
ing, and I have brought it back
Mr.. Harold shook his head. mo.
Counie must have her coat. This win
| be good lesson for her. 1t win teach