The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1917-10-03
'obbs-Merrlll Company

Father did run, but Prudence, fleeter>
footed, Outdistanced him and clam
bered on board, painting.
When she rejoined her father her
face was flushed. ooh, father" she
said quite snappily, "isn't that just like
me?"
eyes, very like" he agreed, and he
smiled
"And so this is Mount Mark! Isn't
1t funny name, father? Why do they
call 1t Mount Marl1?"
II don't know. l hadn't thought to
inquire. We turn here, Prudence. This
is Main street. The city part Of the
town-the business parts to the
south"
tits n pretty street, isn't it?" she
cried. "Such nice big naples, and such
shady. porchy houses. love houses
with porches, don't you? Has the par
sonage a porch?"
eyes, big one on the south, and
tiny one In front We have the house
fixed UP pretty well, Prudence, but Of
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 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 gaZcd in silence. Many
would not have considered it q beauti-
full dwelling, but to Prudence it was
heavenly Fortunately the wide, grassy,
shaded lawn greeted one first. Great,
spreading naples bordered the street,
and clustering rosebushcs lined the
walk leading up to the house. The par
sonagc, to Prudcnccs gratif1cd eyes,
looked honey, and big, and inviting.
There were many windows, and the
Wcll-knoWn lace curtains looked down
upon Prudence tripping happily up the
little board walk--or so 1t seemed to
her.
1.-TWO whole stories, and an attic be-
sides! Not to mention the bathroom
On, father, the night after you wrote
there was q bathroom, Constance
thanked God for 1t when she said her
prayers. And 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, I am most nightly glad
we've hit the luxury land ut last. Tn
sure We'll oil feel much more religious
In a parsonage that has 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 table to the
left bed to the Notwithstanding to
her own good pleasure. Afterward
they had cozy luncheon for two in
the 'dining ROOM"
"Oh, 1t is so elegant to have q din.
Ing room," breathcd Prudence happily.
Il 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 thcre?"
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 q lovely place over there,
father" exclaimed Prudence, LOOKING
from the living room windows toward
the south. 'Isn't 1t beautifully"
"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, 1t is two o'clock already, and
must 60 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 stoned
abruptly.
In q shadowy corner was a 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 worldl
"A-a-a-heml stammered Mrs.
Adams inquiringly.
Amen" This was spoken aloud
and hurriedly, and Prudence leaped
10 her feet. Her fair hair clung about
her face In damp babyish tendrils, and
her face was flushed and dusty, but
iallght with friendly interest. She ran
forward eagerly, thrustlng forth slim
and grlmy hand.
"YOu 0ra MIRO dopo, o,o,,l -xa..o -