The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-03-01


about to battle the face and throat Of
poor little Prudence" and her father
said sympatheticnlly:
"Youre all nervous and wrought up.
with the pain and excitement, Pru-
dence. I'm glad he Is coming 80 we
can thank him for his kindness. Il
was mighty lucky he happened along.
wasn't III A Harvard graduated Yes.
they are pretty strong on athletics at
Harvard. You'd better strnighten this
room little and have things looking
nice when he gets here" said Father
Starr. with great diplomacy. And he
was rewarded, and startled, by observ-
Ing that Prudence frightened wonder
fully Mt his words.
"Yes, do" she urged eagerly. "Get
some OF the roses from the corner
bush. and put them on the table there.
And when you go upstairs. Fairy, you'd
better bring down that little lace
spread in the bottom drawer Of our
dresser. It'll look very nice on this
bed. Work hard, girls, and get every
thing looking fine. He'll be here at
four. he said. You twins may wear
your white dresses. and Connie must
put on her blue and wear her blue
bows. Fairy, do you think 1t would be
all right for you to wear your silk
dress7 OF course. the silk is rather
grand for home. but you do look SO
beautiful In II. Father. will you put
on your black suit, or are you too busy7
And don't forget TO wear the pearl cuff
buttons Aunt Grace sent you"
He went upstairs to obey, with de-
spair In his heart. But TO the girls,
there was nothing strange In this ex-
actness on the part Of Prudence. Jer-
rold Harmer was the hero of the ro-
nance. and they must unite to do him
disguise. Jerrold Harmer was n per-
fectly thrilling name. 1t was really q
shame that America allows no titles
Lord Jerrold did sound so noble. and
Lady Prudence was very effective. too.
He and Prudence were married, and
had family Of four children, named
for the various STAIRS, before one hour
had passed.
"Ill begin my book right away"
Lark was saying. She and Carol were
In the dining room madly polishing
their Sunday shoes, what time they
were not performing the marriage Ger.
emony Of their sister and the hero.
Eyes, dol But for goodness sake,
don't run her into mule Seems to
me even Prudence could have done bet
ter than that"
."Tll have his automobile break down
in the middle OF the road. and Pru-
dence can run into 1t. The carburetor
came OF, and OF course the car
wouldn't run an inch without It,"
-Xes. that's good" said Carol ap-
provingly. ut must be a sixty-cylin-
der. eight horse power-er-tonneau
or something real big and costly"
twins You won't be ready"
warned Prudence. and this dire possi-
bility sent them flying upstairs In q
panic.
While the girls. bubbling over with
excitement, were dressing for the great
event. Mr.. Starr went downstairs to
sit with Prudence. Carol called to him
on his way down. and he paused on
the staircase. looking up at her.
Lark and l are going to use some
of Fairy's powder. father" she said.
I'VE feel that we simply must on an
occasion like this. And for goodness
sake. don't mention II before himl II
doesn't happen very often. you know,
but today We simply must. Now, don't
you say anything about falling In the
-four barrel, or turning pale all Of a
sudden. whatever else you do. Wed
be so mortified. father"
Mr. Starr was concerned with
weightier matters, and went on down
to Prudence with never SO much as a
reproving shake of the head for the
worldly-minded young twins.
"Father." began Prudence. her eyes
on the lace coverlet. do you think II
would be all right for me to wear that
silk dressing gown Of mothers? l
need something over my nightgown.
and my old flannel kimono Is so ugly.
You know. mother said l was to have
II, and-rm twenty now. Do you think
II would be all right2 But II you do
not want me to wear it"
II do want you to-" was the prompt
reply. "Yes. II Is quite time you were
wearing II. I'll get 1t out Of the trunk
myself, and send Fairy down to help
you" Then as he turned toward the
door, he asked carelessly. as he very
good-loOking. PrudenceT
And Prudence, with a crimson face,
answered quickly. "Oh. really didn't
notice. father"
He went on upstairs then. and pres
emily Fairy came down with the dainty
silk gown trimmed with fine soft lace.
II brought my lavender ribbon for your
hair, Prudence. II will match the
gown so nicely. Oh. you do look sweet,
dearest. l pity Jerrold Harmer, can
tell you that. Now l must hurry and
dnish my own dressing"
But with her foot on the bottom
stair, she paused. Her sister was call.
ing after her. "Send father down here
quick, Fairy"