The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-02-16

wv u IN the lower left-hand cor
ner was q suggestive drawing of a
Skull and C~rossbones. The eyes of the
mischieyous twins twinkled with de-
light when they saw It, and they car
ried It to the barn for prompt perusal.
It read as follows:
Miss Constance Starr humbly and re-
spectfully raves admittance into the An
Gent and Honorable Organization Of
Skull n Crossbones.
The twins pondered long on q fitting
reply, and the next afternoon the post
man brought q letter for Connie, walt
Ing impatiently for 1t. She had APP
preached the twins about 1t at noon
that day.
did you get my application" she
had whispered nervously.
But the twins had stared her out Of
co~untenance, and Connie realized that
she had committed a serious breach of
secret society etiquette.
But here was the letter. Her fin
gers trembled rs she opened it. 1t was
decorated lavishly with skulls and
c~rossbones, splashed with red Ink, sup
posedly blood, and written In the same
suggestive color.
Skull and ~Crossbones, great in mercy
and In condescensIon. has listened graci-
oualy to the prayer of Constance, the
Seeker. Hear the will OF the Great Spirit!
IL the Seeker win. for the length OF two
weeks. submit herself to the will of Skull
and Crossbones. she hall be admitted in
TO the Ancient and Honorable Order.
I =.
The week that followed was a gala
one for the twins of Skull and Cross
bones. Constance swept their room,
made their bed, washed their dishes,
did their chores. and in every way be-
haved as a model pledge of the ancient
and honorable. The twins were gra-
cious but firm. There was no arguing
and no falterlng. 1T Is the will of
Skull and Crossbones that the damsel
do this" they would say. And the
| damsel did 1t.
Prudence did not feel II was a case
that called for her interference. SO
she sat back and watched, while the
twins told stories, read and frollcked.
and Constance did their daily tasks.
A week passed, ten days, and twelve.
Then came u golden October afternoon
when the twins sat In the haymow
looking out upon a mellow world. Con-
stance was In the yard, reading a fairy
story. The situation was Il tense one,
for the twins We're hungry, and time
was heavy on their hands.
"The apple trees In Avery's orchard
1 ara 1ftot INndA1 - n.Vl 4 ,-tr Ak..1
there are lots on the ground, too. l
saw them when l was out in the field
this morning."
Carol gazed down into the yard
where Constance was absorbed In her
book. Constance oughtn't to read as
much as she does" she argued. "It's
so bad for the eyes,"
Eyes, and what's more, she's been
getting Off too easy for the last few
days. The time is nearly up"
That's So" said Lark. Lets call
her up here" This was done at once,
and the unfortunate Constance stood
before them respectfully, as they had
instructed her to stand. The twins
hesitated. each secretly hoping the
other would voice the order. But Lark,
as usual. was obliged to be the spokes-
man.
"Damsel," she said. sit is the will of
Skull and Crossbones that you HE We
to yonder orchard-Avery's l mean
and bring hither some Of the golden
apples basking in the SUM-"
"What I" calculated Connie, startled
out of her respect.
Carol frowned.
Connie FASTENED to modify her tone
did they say you might have them?'
she inquired politely.
THAT concerns thee not; tits for thee
only to render obedience to the order:
of the Society. Go out through oul
field and sneak under the fence where
the wires are loose, and hurry back
We're awfully hungry. The trees ars
near the fence. There isn't any dan
ger"
But it's stealing" objected Connie
"What will Prudence"
"Damsel! !" And Connie turned {,
obey with despair in her heart.
"Bring twelve" Carol called afte
her. "thatT be four apiece. And hurry
Connie. And see they don't catch 70,
while you're about it."
After she had gone the twins la,
: back thoughtfully on the hay an,
: stared at the cobwebby root aboy
them In silence for a while. Somethin
e was hurting them, but whether 1t wa
0 their fear of the wrath of Prudenc,
or the twinges of tender c-onsciences-
who can say?-