Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-01-30

course you'll have to go over it YOUR
self and arrange it as you like. must
go to trustees meeting at two
o'clock, but we can get a good deal
done before then. Mrs. Adams is COM
ing to help you this afternoon. She
is one of our Ladies, and very kind.
There, that is the parsonage !"
Prudence gazed in silence. Many
would not have considered it beauti-
full dwelling, but to Prudence 1t was
heavenly. Fortunately the wide, grassy,
shaded lawn greeted one first. Great,
spreading naples bordered the street,
and clustering rosebushes lined the
walk leading up to the house. The par
sonage, to Prudence's gratified eyes,
looked honey, and big, and inviting.
There were many windows. and the
well-known lace curtains looked down
upon Prudence tripping happily up the
little board walk-or so it seemed to
her.
1.-TWO whole stories, and an attic be-
sides! Not to mention the bathroom !
Oh. father, the night after you wrote
there was a bathroom, Constance
thanked God for it when she said her
prayers. And a furnace, too! And
electric lights! Oh, we have waited
long time for it. and we've been very
patient indeed, but, between you and
me, father, / am most nightly glad
we've hit the luxury land at last. I'm
sure We'll all feel much more religious
In parsonage that has a bathroom
and electric lights! Oh, father!"
He had thrown open the door, and
Prudence stood upon the threshold of
her new home. Together she and her
father went from room to room, up
stairs and down, moving a table to the
left, bed to the notwithstanding to
her. own good pleasure. Afterward
they had coy luncheon for two in
the "dining ROOM"
"Oh. it is SO elegant TO have din
ing room," breathed Prudence happily.
"I<always pretended it was rather fun,
and great saving of work, to eat and
cook and study and live in one room,
but inwardly the idea always outraged
me. Is that the school over there?"
Eyes, that's where Connie will go.
There is only one high school in Mount
Mark, so the twins will have to go TO
the other side of town-a long walk,
but in good weather they can come
home for dinner"
"Oh, that's a lovely place over there,
60 = Il 1asv
from the living room windows toward
the south. isn't it beautiful?'
Yes. The Avery family lives there.
The parents are very old and feeble,
and the daughters are all-elderly-
and all schoolteachers. There are four
of them, and the youngest is forty-six
Dear me, it is two o'clock already, and
l must go at once. Mrs. Adams will
be here in few minutes, and you will
not be lonely"
But when Mrs. Adams arrived at the
parsonage she knocked repeatedly. and
in vain. Finally she gathered her robes
about her and went into the back yard.
She peered into the woodshed, and saw
no one. She went into the barn lot,
and found it empty. In despair, she
plunged into the barn-and stopped
abruptly.
In q shadowy corner was slender
figure kneeling beside an overturned
nailkeg, her face buried in her hands,
Evidently this was Prudence engaged
in prayer-and in the barn, Of all places
In the world!
"A-a-a-hem! stammered Mrs.
Adams inquiringly.
"Amen!" This was spoken aloud
and hurriedly. and Prudence leaped
to her feet. Her fair hair chung about
her face in damp, babyish tendrils, and
her face was flushed and dusty, but
alight with. friendly interest. She ran
forward eagerly. thrusting forth slim
and grimy hand.
"You are Mrs. Adams, aren't you?
am Prudence Starr 1t is so kind of
you TO come the very first day." she
cried. ut makes me love you right at
the start"
"Ye-yes. am Mrs. Adams" Mrs.
Adams was embarrassed. She could
not Danish from her mental vision that
kneeling figure by the nailkeg. Inter
rogation was written all over her
ample face, and Prudence promptly
read it and FASTENED to reply.
81 do not generally say my prayers
in the barn, Mrs. Adams, i assure you.
But--well, when / found this grand.
old. rambling barn, was so thankful
l couldn't resist praying about it,"
But a barn!" CIRCULATED the per-
picked member" do you call that
blessings"
sYes. indeed / do" declared Pru-
dence. Then she explained patiently !:
"Oh, it is on the children's account.
you know. They have always longed
for big. romantic barn to play in.
That's why / couldn't resist saying my
prayers-I was so happy / couldn't
hold in
AS they walked slowly toward the
house. Mrs. Adams looked at this par
sonage girl in frank curiosity and some
dismay, which she strongly endeavored
to conceal from the bright-eyed Pru-
dence. The Ladies had said it would
be so nice TO have grown girl in the
parsonagei Prudence was nineteen
from all account, but she looked Ike a
child. and-well. ii was not exactly
grown-up TO give thanks for barn.
to say the very least, Yet this girl
had full charge of four younger chill
4 -
the entire care Of a Ininister-father,
Wei. well. Mrs. Adams sighed a
little.
You are tired" said Prudence SYM
nathetically. Its so hot walking,
isn't it? Let's sit on the porch until
You are nicely rested
This is fine chance for Us TO get
acquainted said the good woman with
eagernesS-
4.