The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1917-04-13

cried about it, wouldn't have cared SO
much. But she looked so-heartsick.
didn't she, Fairy?'
Connie certainly was heartsiCk. More
than that. she was "A little disgusted.
She felt herself aroused 10 take action.
Things had gone too far, Go 10 church
in her fathers coat she could not She
walked sturdily down the street toward
the 'city"-ironcally SO called. Her
face was stony, her hands were
clenched. But finally she frightened.
Her lagging 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.
In 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 IT,.
she walked i'm without pausing, and the
massive door swung behind her. &C.
The four older girls were 1T 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
recOncilcd herself" she thought. Din
ner was half over before Constance
burst her bomb.
"Are YOU going 10 be busy this after
noon, Prudence?" she asked quietly.
"We are going To sew little said
Prudence. "WhyW
81 wanted you to go downtown with
me after school"
"Well, perhaps ] can do that. Fairy
will be able To finish the coat alone"
You needn't finish the cont cant
wear fathers coat To church, Pru-
dence. It's ats a-physical impos-
sibility"
The twins laughed, Fairy smiled. but
Prudence gazcd ut the baby" with
tender pity.
I'm SO sorry, dearest, but we haven't
the money 10 buy one now"
"Will five dollars be enoughT" In
new bill beside her plate. The twins
gaspcd! They gazed at Connie with
new respect. They were just wishing
they could handle five-dolar bills SO
reckleSsly.
"Will you loan me twenty dollars un-
III after Christmas, ConnieT queried
Fairy.
But Prudence asked, "Wherc did you
get this money, ConnieT'
Il borrowed it-from the bank" Con-
ME replied with proper gravity. II
have two years to pay IT back. Mr..
Harold says they are proud to have my
trade"
Prudence was silent for several long
seconds. Then she inquired in low
voice. did you tell him why you want
ed ltf"
"Yes. I explained the whole situa-
ton"
what did be sayT
''Ie said he knew just how I felt,
because he knew he couldn't go 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 he anticipated
great pleasure in seeing me in my new
coat ut 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
a frI oil
When Connie had gone back 10
school, Prudence went straight 10 Mr.
Uarolds bank. Flushed and embar-
rassed. she explained the situation
frankly. My sympathIes are all with
Connie" she said candidly. But / an
afraid father would not like II. We are
dead set against borrowing. After
our mother was taken, We were crowd
ed pretty close for money. SO we had
TO go In debt. II took us two years 10
get IL paid. Father and Fairy and /
talked II over then. and decided We
would starve rather than borrow again.
Even the twins understood II, but Con
ME was too little. She doesn't know
how heartbreaklng IL is 10 keep hand
ing over every cent for debt, when one
is just yearnlng for other things. ! do
wish she might have the coat, but I'm
afraid father would not like IL. She
gave me the FIVE dollars for safekeep-
ing. and have brought II back"
Mr. Harold shook his head. "No.
Connie must have her coat. This will
be a good lesson for her. II will teach