The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1917-03-09
CHAPTER JIk. .aA-
The Ladies' Aid.

Now. this really was crisis In the
life of the parsonage family. The girls
had met, separately, every member OF
the Ladies' Aid. But this was their
first combined movement upon the par
Sonage, and Prudence and Fairy real
lied that much depended on the sue
cess of the day. AS girls, the whole
Methodist church pronounced the
young STAIRS charming. But aS par
Sonagc people-well, they were obliged
to reserve judgment. And as for Pru-
dence having entire charge of the
household ii must be acknowledged
that every individual Lady looked
forward TO this meeting with eager
neSS-thcy wanted 10 "Size up" the sit
uation. They were coming TO see for
themselves! Yes, it was undoubtedly
II crisis
"There'll be a crowd, OF course" said
Fairy. wen just leave the doors
between the front rooms open"
"Yes, but Wen close the dining-room
doors. Then We'll have the refresh
ments all out on the table, and when
we are ready well just fling back the
doors carelessly and-there you are!"
SO the table was prettily decorated
with flowers, and great plates OF sand
wiches and cake were placed upon II.
In the center was an enormous punch
bowl, borrowed from the Averys, full
Of lemonade. Glasses were properly
arranged on the trays, and piles OF
nicely homssfAundered napkins were
scattered here and there. The girls
felt that the dining room was n 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 dlsappolnt-
ed. The twins and Connie were not
even arrayed in their plain little ging-
hams, clean, before the first arrivals
were ushcrcd up into the front bed
room, ordinarily occupied by Prudence
and Fairy.
"Theres Mrs Adams and Mrs.
Prentlss, and Mrs" began Connie,
listening intently to the voices in the
next room.
Eyes" whispered Carol, ''peek
through the keyhole, Lark, and see IL
Mrs. Prentlss 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
to the Ladies' Aid for the sake Of the
refreshments, and"
"Carol! Prudence will punish you"
"Well, don't believe IT," protested
Carol. "Tm just telling you what I've
heard other people say"
ave aren't allowed to repeat gos-
sip" urged Lark.
"No, and ! think It's shame, too.
for it's awfully funny. Minnie Drake
told me that Miss Varne Joined the
Methodist church as soon as she heard
the new minister was widower, so
She"
Carol"
Carol whIrled around sharply, and
flushed, and swallowed hard. For Pru.
dence was just behind her.
'T-I-I-" but she could get no fur.
ther.
Upon occasion Prudence was quite
terrible. $50 l heard" she said dryly,
but her eyes were hard. "Now run up
stairs and out 20 the field, or 10 the
barn, and play. And, Carol, be sure
and remind me OF that speech tonight
might Z, get IT,"
The girls ran quickly out, Carol well
In the lead.
mo 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
-~uch fun, you know"
"Well, anyhow, I'm sure won't get
any cake tonight. II seems 10 me Pru-
dence is very-harsh sometimes"
"You can appeal TO father. II you
like"