The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-01-18

Miller, tnen MIS-. JACK, Mrs. NOrey,
and Mrs. Beed, In turn, sat there-and
did not stay. Prudence was quite ago
nlzed. Had the awful twins filed IL
with needles for the reception OF the
poor Ladlesf At first opportunity she
hurried into the secluded corner, intent
upon trying the chair for herself. She
sat down anxiously. Then she gasped
and clutched frantically at the arm Of
the chair. For she discovered at once
20 her dismay that the chair was bot
tomless. and that only by hanging on
for her life could she keep from drop
ping through.
Up rose Prudence. conscientiously
pulling after her the thin cushion
which had concealed the chairs short
coming. Look. Fairyi" she cried.
'Did you take the bottom out Of this
'hair3 II must have been horribly I'M
comfortable for those who have sat
there! However did It happenr'
Fairy was frankly amazed, and q
| little inclined Ia be amused.
ASK the twins" she said tersely:
Il know nothing about IT,"
At that moment, the luckless Carol
went running through the hall. Pru-
1encc knew IL was she, without seeing,
because she had n peculiar skipping
run that was quite characteristic and
unmistakable.
Carol T. she called.
And Carol paused.
CAROL" more imperatively.
Then Carol slowly opened the door
she was 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 lovely day? Did you call
me, Prudencef"
"fes. DO you know where the bot
| tom Of that chair has gomez"
why no. Neutrality-suspicious. That
chair why, 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 beforehandT
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 chalr-bottom
now?' she inquired. "And why did
you take III"
"Why. We wanted TO make"
"You and Lark?'
swell, yes-but II was really all my
fault. you know. We wanted TO make
n seat up high In the peach tree, and
the bottom Off the chair was just fine.
| It's II 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
II wouldn't be noticed. We never use
that chair, you know. I'm so sorry
about H."
Carol was really quite crushed, but
true 10 her parsonage training. she
struggled valiantly and presently
brought forth a crunpled and sickly
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 Mt Fairy. ut is strange that In
busting IL. Falry-but never min. You
may 20 cow, Carol. II Is all right"
Then she apologized 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 raughty." she
thought wretchedly. "How can l pre-.
teId IL was terribly had. when l feel
In Lay heart that II wasn't"
The meeting progressed, and the
business was presently disposed Of
So fur, things were not too seriously
bad. aud Prudence sighed In great re-
lief. Then the Ladies took out their
sewing. and began industriously work
Ing at many articles, designed for the
clothing OF a lot Of young Methodists
confiLed IL. an orrhaIs' horne In Chi
cago. And they talked together pleas
antly AMI 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
stairs1 To be sure. her mission might
be innocent. but Prudence dared moi
run the risk. Fortunately she was sit
ting near the door,
Lark - she called softly. Lark
stopped abruptly. and something fell
10 the floor.
Lark
The Ladies' smiled, and Miss Carr
laughing lightly, said. "She is an atten
tive creature, isn't sheT"
Prudence would gladly have flown
out into the hall 10 settle this matter
but she realized that she was ON exhi'
bition. Had she done so, the Ladies
would have set her down forever after
as thoroughly iacompetent-she coulc
not goi But Lark must come to her
Lark This was Prudence's most