The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-02-09
CHAPTER lV.-continued.


That was the end of supper. No
one attempted to eat another bite.
After the older girls bad gone into the
sitting room, Carol and Lark went
about their work with stricken faces.
They asked If they might speak to
Constance, but Prudence went in with
them to say good night to her. The
twins broke down and cried as they
saw the pitiful little figure with the
wan and tear-stained face. They threw
their arms around her passlOnately
and kissed her many times. But they
went to bed without saying anything.
1t was a sorry night for the twins.
The next morning they set off to
school, with no chance for anything
but brief good morning with Connie
given in the presence of Prudence.
Halfway down the parsonage walk,
Carol said:
"Oh wait a minute, Lark. l left my
notebook on the table" And Lark
walked slowly while Carol went rush
ing back. She found Prudence in the
kitchen, and whispered:
"Here-here's note, Prudence.
Don't read it until after I've gone to
schOOl-at ten o'clock you may read it.
VIII you promlse?"
Prudence laughed a little, but she
promised, and laid the note carefully
away to wait the appointed hour for
its perusal. AS the clock struck ten
she went to the mantle and took it
down. This is what Carol had writ
ten:
! Oh, Prudence, do please forgive me, and |
don't punish Connie any more. You can |
punish me any way you like, and I'll be |
lglad of it, 1t was all my fault. l made |
her go and get the apples for me. and 1
ate them. Connie didn't eat one of them
She said stolen apples would not taste
very good. 1t was all my fault, and I'm
so sorry
AS Prudence read this her face grew
very stern. Carols fault At that
moment Prudence heard someone run
ping through the hall, and thrust the
pOte hastily into her dress. 1t was
Lark, and she flung herself wildly up
pm Prudence, sobbing bitterly.
"What is the matter, Lark?" she
FRIED, really frightened. Are you
yick?"
"Heartslck, that's ALL" walled Lark.
4 told the teacher 1 was sick so l
.Ould come home, but I'm not. Oh
Prudence, | know you'll despise and
dominate me all the rest of your life,
Ind everybody will, and 1 deserve it. O
FOR l stole those apples myself" Q
Prudence was surprised and puzzled. t
She drew the note from her pocket t
md gave it to Lark. Carol gave me
hat before she went to school," she I
Explained. Read it, and tell me what {
ou are driving at | think you are
9th crazy. Or maybe you are just
rying to shield poor Connie" S
Lark read Carols note, and gasped, a
nd-burst out laughing! The shame, Fl
he bitter weeping, and nervousness,
ad rendered her hysterical, ana now Il
he laughed and cried until Prudence c,
as alarmed again.
In time, however, Lark was able to Il
zplain. "We both did it," she gasped, 81
the Skull and Crossbones. And we
9th told the truth about it," IL
Prudence laughed. But when she n,
lought of loyal little Connie, sobbing
i through the long night the tears bi
lme 70 her eyes again. She went til
liclSly 10 the telephone and called up
le school baading next door to the Ii
lrsonage. by
MAY l speak to Constance Starr. he
r. ImesY' she asked. "It is very i'm bi
'rtant This is Prudence, her sis wi
r" And when Connie came to the tn
lephone, she cried: "Oh, you blessed al,
tie child, why didn't you tell me?
Ill you forgive me, Connie? You're ur
DEAR sweet, good little darling. ha
ats what you are"
"0h, Prudencer That was all Con- an
2 said, but something in her voice bic
lde Prudence hang up the receiver gir
ickly, and cry bitterly IL
That noon Prudence pronounced
lgment on the sinners, but her eyes th
mixed. for Carol and Lark had mi