The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-03-29

heard soft tapping, and he smiled.
"Micer he thought. Then he heard
something elsa family whispered,
"Fatherr"
With n sharp exclamation he I'M
locked and opened the dungeon door,
and Connie fell into his arms, sobbing
piteously. And he did the only wise
thing to do under the circumstances.
He sat down on the hall floor and
cuddled the child against his breast.
He talked to her soothingly until the
sobs quieted. and her voice was under
control.
snow, tell father" he urged, 'how
did you get in the dungeonf The
twins"
"Oh, no, father. Of course not; the
twins wouldn't do such a thing as
that. I went into the dungeon to pray
that Prudence would get well. And !
prayed myself to sleep. When ! woke
up the door was locked"
But you precious child" he whis-
pered, "why didn't you call out, or
pound on the door,"
II was afraid Il would excite Prue
and make her worse" she answered
simply. And her fathers kiss was I'M
wontedly tender as he carried her up
stairs to bed.
Prudence slept late the next morn
ing, and when she opened her eyes her
father was sitting beside her.
"All right this morning, father" she
said, smiling. Are the girls at
schoolT'
mo, this is Saturday"
"Oh, of course. Well, bring them
up. want to see them"
Just then the distant whistle Of q
locomotive sounded through the open
window, but she did not notice her IA
TIERS sudden start. She nodded up at
him again and repeated, II want to see
my girls"
Her father sent them mp to her at
once, and they stood ut the foot Of the
bed with sorry faces, and smiled at
her.
"Say something" whispered Carol,
kicking Lark suggestively on the foot.
But Lark was dumb. II was Carol
who broke the silence.
ooh, Prudence, do you suppose the
doctors will let me come In and watch
them bandage your headf want to
begin practicing up, SO as to be ready
for the next war;"
Then they laughed, and the girls
realized that Prudence was really
alive and quite as always. They told
her Of Comics sad experience, and
Prudence comforted her sweetly.
at just proves all over again." she
declared, smiling. but with a sigh
close following, shat you can't get
along without me to look after you.
Would ever go to bed without max
ing sure that Connie was safe and
soundr
Downstairs. meanwhile, Mr.. Starr
was plotting with Fairy. a willing as
sistant.
Hell surely be In on this train. and
you must keep him down here until !
get through with Prudence. l want to
tell her a few things before she sees
him. Bring him In quietly, and don't
let him speak loudly. ! do not want
her to know he is on hand for few
minutes. Explain II to the girls, will
your
After sending the younger girls
downstairs again. he closed the door
Of Prudence's room, and sat down be-
> side her.
prudence. I can't tell you how bit
terly disappointed I am in you"
"Fatherl'
"Yes, l thought you loved us-the
girls and me. II never occurred to me
! that you considered us bunch Of self
/. ish, heartless. ungrateful animals|
, "Fatherw
as that your idea of lover Is tina,
: -"
|, "Oh. father!"
: ut really did hurt me. Prudence. Ny
dear little girl, how could you sent
4 Jerry away. breaking your heart ant
!. his, and ours, too-just because yol
thought us such a selfish lot that W,
would begrudge you any happiness o.
your ownf Don't you think our low
for you Is big enough to make us hap
py In seeing you happyf You used t.
say you would never marry. We die
not expect you to marry, then. But w
knew the time would come when mar
risge would seem beautiful and desir
able to you. We were waiting for tina
time. We were hoping for 1t. W.
were happy when you loved Jerry, be
cause we knew he was good and kin'
and loving. and that he could give yoV
all the beautiful things of life-that
can never give my children. But yo,
thought we were too selfish to let yol
go. and you sent him away"
But father! Who would raise tn
girlsf Who would keep the parson
agef Who would look after your"
Aunt Grace. to be sure. We talke
! 1t over two years ago. when her hus
band died. Before that. she was no
free to come to us. But she said the
that whenever We were ready for he