The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-02-23

| III 'front.' OF tne FIRST National bank she
paused, but after few seconds she
passed by. On the opposite corner was
another bank. When she reached it,
she walked in without pausing, aud the
massive door swung behind her.
The four older girls were at the
table when Connie came home. She
exhaled quiet satisfaction from every
pore. Prudence glanced at her once,
and then looked away again. "She has
reconciled herself" she thought. Din
ner was half over before Constance
| burst her bomb.
Are you going to be busy this after
noon, Prudence?" she asked quietly.
I'VE are going to sew a little" said
Prudence. "Why?"
81 wanted you to go downtown with
me after school,"
well, perhaps l can do that. Fairy
will be able to finish the coat alone"
"You needn't finish the cOat-I can't
wear fathers coat to church, Pru-
dence. It's Ats a-physical impOs-
sibillty."
The twins laughed, Fairy smiled, but
Prudence gazed at "the baby" with
tender pity.
I'm so sorry, dearest, but we haven't
the money to buy one now"
'Will five dollars be enOugh?" in
quired Connie, and she placed a crisp
new bill beside her plate The twins
pncnaJf Tba,y ,y,yod nt Tnurf, ,,-itI,
new respect. They were just wishing
they could handle tive-dollar bills so
recklessly.
"Will you loan me twenty dollars un-
til after Christmas, ConnieT" queried
Fairy.
But Prudence asked, "Where did you
get this money, COnnie?"
Il borrowed it-frOm the bank" Con-
ME replied with proper gravity. II
have two years to pay it back. Mr..
Harold says they are proud to have my
trade"
Prudence was silent for several long
seconds. Then she inquired in low
voice, did you tell him why you want
ed it?"
Eyes, I explained the whole situa-
ton"
What did he say?"
He said he knew just how l felt,
because he knew he couldn't go to
church in his wife's coat.-No, said
that myself, but he agreed with me. He
did not say very much, but he looked
sympathetic. He said he anticipated
great pleasure in seeing me in my new
coat at church next Sunday"
go on with your luncheon, twins"
said Prudence sternly. You'll be late
to school. Wen see about going down
town when you get home tonight, Con-
ME. Now, eat your luncheon, and
don't talk about coats any more"
When Connie had gone back to
school. Prudence went straight to Mr..
Harolds bank. Flushed and embar-
rassed, she explained the situation
frankly. MY sympathies are all with
Connie" she said candidly. "But l am
afraid father would not like it. We are
lead set against borrowing. After
Iur mother was taken, we were crowd |
I'd pretty close for money. So we had |
o go in debt. 1t took us two years to |
get it paid. Father and Fairy and 1
alked it over then, and decided we
would starve rather than borrow again.
even the twins understood 1t, but Con-
lie was too little. She doesn't know
low heartbreaking 1t is to keep hand
ng over every cent for debt, when one
S just yearning for other things. do
wish she might have the coat, but I'm
fraid father would not like it. She
ave me the five dollars for safekeep-
ng, and 1 have brought 1t back"
Mr.. Harold shook his head. "No,
'onnie must have her coat. This will
e a good lesson for her. 1t will teach
er the bitterness of living under debt
'esides, Prudence, think in my heart
hat she is right this time. This is
ase where borrowing is justified. Get
er the coat, and I'll square the ac-
cunt with your father" Then he
dded, "And I'll look after this salary
usiness after this. I'll arrange with
ne trustees that | am to pay your fa-
Ter his full salary the first of every !
onth, and that the church receipts are l
, be turned in to me. And if they
D not pay up, my lawyer can do lit i
e investigating Little Connie earned t
lat five dollars, for she taught one 2
ustee a sorry lesson. And he will {
ave to pass it on to the others in self t
sfense! Now, run along and get the e
'at, and If five dollars isn't enough p
III can have as much more as you p
ed. Your father will get his salary
ter this, my dear, if we have to mort S
lge the parsonage" v