The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1917-08-24
CHAPTER vI-continusd.

"Oh, / had her dressed warmly un
derneath, very warmly indeed" de
clared Prudence. "But no matter how
warm you are underneath, you lool
cold IL you aren't vlsibly prepared fol
winter weather. ! kept hoping enough
money would come In to buy her
coat for once In her life."
"She has been looking forward II
one long enough" put In Fairy. "Thii
will be bitter blow to her. And ye
1t is not such bad-looklng coat, aftel
ALL" And she quickly ran up sean
on the machine.
"Here comes Conniel" Prudence
hastily swept pile of scraps out o.
sight, and turned to greet her little
sister with CHEEKY smile.
"Come on In, Connie" she cried
with brightness she did not feel
"Fairy and l are making you a new
coat. Isn't 1t pretty? And so warm
See the nice velvet collar and cuffs
We want to fit 1t on you right away
dear"
Connie picked up piece Of the
goods and examined 1t intently.
"Don't you want some fudge, Con-
nie?" exclaimed Fairy, showing the
dish toward her hurriedly.
Connie took piece from the plate
and thrust 1t between her teeth. HeI
eyes were still fastened upon the brown
furry cloth.
"Where did you get this stuff" she
inquired, as soon as she was able to
speak.
"Out Of the trunk In the garret, Con-
ME. Don't you want some more fudgeY
I put lot Of nuts In, especially on
your account"
tits good" said Connie, taking an
other piece. She examined the cloth
very closely. "Say, Prudence, isn't this
that old brown coat Of father's2"
Fairy showed her chair back from the
machine, and ran to the window.
"Look, Prue," she cried. isn't that
Mrs. Adams coming this wayf won
der"
"No, It isn't" answered Connie
gravely. "It's just Miss Avery getting
home from school,-Isn't 1t, Prudence2
Fathers coat, mean?"
"Yes, Connie 1t Is" said Prudence.
very, very gently. "But no one here
has seen 1t, and 1t is such nice cloth
Just exactly what girls are wearing
now"
'But wanted new coat |" Connie
did not cry. She stood looking at Pru-
dence with her wide hurt eyes.
"Oh, Connie, Pm just as sorry as
you are" cried Prudence, with starting
tears. II know just how you feel about
1t dearest But the people didn't pay
father up last month. Maybe after
Christmas we can get you coat. They
pay up better then"
Il think I'd rather wear my summer
coat until then," said Connie soberly.
"Oh, but you can't, dearest. 1t is too
cold. Won't you be good girl now,
md not make sister feel badly about
itf 1t really is becoming to you, and 1t
Is nice and warm. Take some more
fudge. DEAR and run out-of-doors
while, You'll feel better about 1t pres
emily, I'm sure"
Connie stood solemnly beside the
table, her eyes still fastened on the
coat, cut down from her fathers. "Can
go and take walk2" she asked
finally.
MAY /, you mean" suggested Fairy.
Eyes, may II Maybe can reconcile
myself to it,
"Yes, go and take walk" urged |
Prudence promptly, eager to get the
small sober face beyond her range Of |
vision.
"If am not back when the twins
get home, go right on and eat without |
me. III come back when l get things
Strengthened out In my mind"
When Connie was quite beyond hear
Ing, Prudence dropped her head on the |
table and wept, "oh, Fairy, IL the men,
bers just knew how such things hurt,
maybe they'd pay up n little better.
How do they expect parsonage people
TO keep up appearances when they
haven't any money!"
"Oh, now, Prue, you're worse than
Connlel There's no use to cry about