The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-01-18
CHAPTER ~.
The ladIess Aid.

the Ladies' Aid. But this was their
hrst combined movement upon the par
sonage. and Pru !ence and Fairy real
lied that much depended on the SUI
cess Of the day. As girls, the whole
Methodist church pronounced tn"
young STAIRS charming. But az par.
sonnge people-well, they were obliged
To reserve Judgment. And as for Pru-
deace having entire charge Of the
household. IL must be acknowledged
that every Individual Lady looked
forward to this meeting with eager
ness-they wanted 10 "size up" the sit
uation. They were coming to see for
themselves! Yes. Il was undoubtedly
crisis.
"There'll he n crowd Of course" said
Fairy. Wen just leave the doors
between the front roous open"
"Yes, hut wei close the dining room
doors. Then wen have the refresh
ments all out ON the table, and when
we are ready Wen just fling back the
doors carelessly and-thcre you are"
So the table was prettily decorated
with flowers. and great plates Of sand
witches and cake were laced upon II.
In the center was mn enormous punch
bowl. borrowed from the Averys, full
Of lemonade. Glasses were properly
arranged on the trays, and piles Of
nicely home-laundered napkins were
scattered here and there. The girls
felt that the dining room was credit
To them, and To the Methodist church
entire.
From every nook and corner Of the
house they hunted out chairs and
stools. anticipating real run upon the
parsonage. Nor were they disappoint-
ed. The twins and Connie were not
even arrnyed In their plain little ging-
hams, clean. before the first arrivals
were ushercd up into the front bed
room. ordinarily occupied by Prudence
and Fairy.
There's Mrs. Adams and Mrs.
Prentiss, and Mrs." began Connie,
listening intently TO the voices In the
next room.
"Yes," whispered Onrol peek
through the keyhole, Lark. and see II
Mrs. Prentiss Is looking under the bed
for dust. They say she"
"You'd better not let Prudence catch
you repeating"
There's Mrs Stone, and Mrs. Davis,
and"
"They say Mrs. Davis only belongs
Ia the Ladies' Aid for the sake Of the
refreshments, and"
"Curol. Prudence will punish you"
"Well. | don't believe IT," protested
Carol. "Tm just telling you what I've
heard other people say"
1--WE aren't allowed to repeat gos-
sip" urged Lark.
mo. AM think it's n shame. too.
for it's awfully funny. Minnie Drake
told me that Miss Var1e Joined the
Methodist church as soon as she heard
the new minister was widower, so
she"
Carol u
Carol whirled around sharply, and
flushed. and swallowed hard. For Pru-
dence was just behind her.
"I-I-I-" but she could get no fur
Their.
Upon occasion Prudence was quite
terrible. $50 I heard" she said cryly.
but her eyes were hard. "Now run up
stairs and out TO the field, or TO the
barn, and play. And. Carol. be sure
and remind me OF that speech tonight
! might forget IT,"
The girls ran quickly out, Carol well
In the lead.
"No wedding fee for me-" she
mumbled bitterly. Somehow I just
can't help repeating"
"You don't want to-" said Lark. not
without sympathy. "You think It's
such fun, you know"
"Well, anyhow. I'm sure won't get
any cake tonight. II seems to me Pru-
dence Is very-harsh sometimes"
"You can appeal to father, II you
like"
mot on your llfe," said Carol
promptly and emphatically "he's worse
than Prudence. Like as not he'd give
me a good thrashlng into the bargain.
No-Fm strong for Prudence when II
comes TO punishment-in preference
10 father. mean. caa't seem to be
fond OF any kind Of punishment from
anybody"
For while Carol was much de-
pressed. but by nature she was buoy
ant soul. and her spirits were presently
soaring again.
In the meantime, the Ladies' Of the
Aid society continued TO arrive. Pru-
dence and Fairy, freshly gowned and
smillng-faced, received them with cor
diality and many merry words. II was
not difficult for them; they had been
reared In the hospltable atmosphere of
Methodist parsonages. where, II you
have but two dishes OF oatmeal the
outsider is welcome TO one. That is
Carols description Of parsonage life.
But Prudence was concerned to OBJ
serve that big easy chair placed well
back In a secluded corner, seemed to
be giving dissatisfaction. II was Mrs.