American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-02-01


Il kuo'- nothing about It,
Al that moment the lnckless Carol
went running through the hall. Pru-
dence knew II was she. without seeing.
because she had a peculiar skipping
run that was quite characteristic and
unmistakable.
Carol ?" she called.
And Carol paused.
CAROL" nor imperatiyely.
Then Carol slowly opened the door
she was a parsonage girl and rose to
the occasion. She smiled winsomely-
Carol was nearly always winsome.
How do you dor" she said brightly.
isn't II a lovely day7 Did you call
me. PrudenceT'
Yes. DO you know where the bot
tom Of that chair has gomez"
why no. Neutrality-suspicious. That
chair why, I didn't know you were
going TO bring that chair In here.
Why-oh, | am so sorry Why In the
world didn't you tell us beforehand3"
Some Of the Ladies' smiled. Others
lifted their brows and shoulders In a
mildly suggestive way. that Prudence.
after nineteen years In the parsonage,
had learned to know and dread.
"And where Is the chair-bottom
nowT' she inquired. And why did
you take it7'
"Why, vi wanted TO make"
"YOu and LarkT'
well. yes-but II was really all my
fault. you know. We wanted to make
a seat up high In the peach tree, and
the bottom on the chair was just fine.
It's a perfectly adorable seat" bright
ening. but SOLDERING again as she real
lied the gravity OF the occasion. "And
we put the cushion In the chair so that
1t wouldn't be noticed. We never use
that chair, you know. I'm so sorry
about IT,"
Carol was really quite crushed, but
true to her parsonage training. she
struggled vallantly and presently
brought forth a crumpled and slckly
smile.
But Prudence smiled at her Kindly.
THAT wasn't very naughty, Carol" she
said frankly. ITS true that we sell
dom use that chair. And we ought to
have looked" She glanced reproach-
fully at Fairy. 1T Is strange that In
busting il, Fairy-but never mind. You
may 20 now, Carol. 1t is all right"
Then she a%pologized gently to the
Ladies'. and the conversation went on,
but Prudence was uncomfortably con-
scious OF keen and quizzical eyes
turned her way. Evidently they
thought she was too lenient.
"Well. IT wasn't very naughty" she
thought %wretchedly. "How can l pre-
tend It was terribly bad. when | feel
la my heart that IL wasn't"
The meeting progressed. and the
business vas presently disposed of,
So far, things were not too seriously
bad, and Prudence sighed In great re-
lief. Then the Ladies' took out their
sewing. and began industriously work.
lng at many articles, designed for the
clothing OF a lot of young Methodfsts
confined in ap orphans home In Chi.
cago. And they talked together pleas
unity and gayly. And Prudence and
Fairy felt that the cloud was lifted.
But soon il settled again, dark and
lowering. Prudence heard Lark run.
ming through the hall and her soul mis-.
gave her. Why was Lark going up
stairs? To he sure, her mission might
be- innocent. but Prudence dared not
run the risk. Fortunately she was sit
ting near the door.
Lark % she called softly. Lark
stopped abruptly, and something fell
to the floor.
Lark 3"
The Ladies' smiled. and Miss Carr
laughing lightly. said. "She is an atten,
tive creature. isn't she7"
Prudence would gladly have flown
out into the hall to settle this matter
hut she realized that she was on exit
bition. Had she done SO. the Ladie.
would have set her down forever after
as thoroughly lncompetent-she coult
not go hut Lark must come to her
Lark r. This was Prudence's most
awful voice, and Lark was bound e
heed.
"Oh. Prue,4 she said plaintlvely. "TI
be there Ia a minute. Can't you wal
, just five minutes2 Let me run up
stairs FIRST. won't your Then IN COM
! gladly Won't that dog'
Her voice was hopeful. But Pru
; dence replied with dangerous calm
! "Come az once. Lark"
{ "All right. then and added threat
eningly hut youn wish hadn't"
? Then Lark opened the door-a woe
ml figure, In one hand she carried al
empty shoe box. And her face was
+ streaked with good rich Iowa mud
! Her clothes we're plastered with it. One
p shoe was caked from the sole 60 tn,
very top button, and a great cash IN
her stocking revealed a generous pOr
ton 81 round, white leg.
, Poor Prudencel AT hat sh,
2 would have exchanged the whole par
{ souage. bathroom. electric lights ane