The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1917-02-09
CHAPTER I--continued.

But to return to the Ladies-the par
sonage girls always capitalized the La
dies of their fathers church--"One Of
us should go and help the dear child,
said Mrs. Scott, the president Of the
Aids, when they assembled for thelr
business meeting, "help her, and wei.
come her, and advise her."
Il was thinking of going over" said
one, and another, and several others
"Oh, that will not do at ALL" said the
president. II think In case like this
the president herself should represent
the society. Therefore, | will under
take this. duty for you"
But this called forth storm Of pro-
test and 1t became so clamOrous that 1t
was unofiicially decided to draw cuts
Which was done, and In consequence
Of that drawing of cuts, Mrs. Adams
now sat on the front porch of the old
gray parsonage, cheered by the knowl-
edge that every other Lady of the Aid
was envying her!' r....
"Now, just be real soclable and tell
me all about yourself, and the others,
too" urged Mrs. Adams. II want to
know all about every one of you. Tell
me everything"
"There isn't much to tell" said Pru-
dence, smiling. "There are five of us |;
| am the oldest.--I am nineteen. Then
comes Fairy, then the twins, and then
the baby"
Are the twins boys or a boy and
girl"
Neither" said Prudence, "they are
both girls"
"More girlsp gasped Mrs. Adams.
"And the baby?"
"She Is a girl, too" And Prudence
laughed. "In short, we are all girls
except father. He couldn't be, of
course-or l suppose he would, for our
family does seem to run to girls"
prudence is very nice name for
minister's daughter" said Mrs. Ad-
ans suggestively.
"Yes-for some ministers daugh-
ters," assented Prudence. But is sad
ly unsuitable for me-"
Mrs. Adams looked critically at this
young daughter Of the parsonage.
Then her eyes wandered down to her
clothes, and fingered, in silent ques-
tioning, on Prudence's dress. 1t was
n very peculiar color. In fact, 1t was
no color at all--no named color. Pru-
dences eyes had followed Mrs. Ad-
ans glance, and she spoke frankly.
II suppose you're wondering If this
dress is any colorl Well think 1t
really Is, but 1t isn't any Of the regu-
lar shades. 1t Is my own invention,
but I've never named 1t. Fairy grew
up and out and around, and one day
when | was so nearly out Of clothes
hardly felt could attend church any
more, she suggested that cut an old
one Of hers down for me At first /
laughed, and then was lnsulted. Fairy
is three years younger than l., and
before then she had got my handed
WV hos itut tlpN lllt lubltb WCIt
turned. From that time on Fairy's
clothes were cut down for me. | still
feel bitter aboutit. Fairy Is dark, and
dark blues are becoming to her. She
handed down this dress--lt was dark
blue then. But | was not wanting Il
dark blue, and | thought 1t would be |
less recognizable II gave 1t con-
trnstlng color. chose lavender. l |
dyed II four times, and this was the re-
suit"
"Do the twins dress allke?" inquired
Mrs. Adams, when she could control
her voice.
"Yes - unfortunately for Connie.
They do 1t on purpose to escape the
They won't even have
hair ribbons different And the result
IS that poor Connie never gets one
lew thing except shoes, she says she
,nnnot help thanking the Lord In her
prayers that all of us outwear our
shoes before we eau outgrow them.--
Connie Is only nine. Fairy Is sixteen,
md the twins nre thirteen. They are
very clever lot of girls"
"And what are you going to do2" In
Iuired Mrs. Adams, looking with real
Election ut the bright, sweet face.
You ought TO go to school. You're
ust girl yourself"
II don't want to go TO school,"
a l..