The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1917-02-02

l N-NNN0-NNNN-~'
"Your suitcase" he explained pa
tiently.
"Oh" she gasped. run, fathe
run left 1t on the train!"
Father did run, but Prudence, fleeter
footed, outdistanced him and clam
bered on board, painting.
When she rejoned her father he
face was flushed. "Oh, father" sh,
said quite snappily, isn't that just lik'
meT
"Yes, very like" he agreed, and ht
smiled.
"And so this Is Mount Mark ISM
1t funny name, father? Why do they
call it Mount Mark?"
II don't know. hadn't thought t.
inquire. We turn here, Prudence. This
is Main street. The city part of thu
town-the business parts to the
SOUTH"
"It's pretty street, isn't it?' she
cried. "Such nice big naples, and sucl
shady porchy houses. love houses
with porches, don't you? Has the par
sonage porch?"
"Yes, big one on the south, and d
tiny one In front. We have the house
fixed up pretty well, Prudence, but Of
course you'll have to 60 over 1t your.
self and arrange 1t as you like. must
go to trustees meeting at two
o'clock, but we can get a 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 gazed in silence. Many
would not have considered 1t a beautl.
full dwelling, but to Prudence 1t was
heavenly. Fortunately the wide, grassy,
shaded lawn greeted one first. Great
spreading naples bordered the street,
and clustering rosebushes lined the
walk leading up to the house. The par
sonage, to Prudence's gratified eyes,
looked honey, and big, and inviting.
There were many windows, and the
well-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
oh, father the night after you wrote
there was bathroom, Constance
thanked God for 1t when she said her
prayers. And a furnace, tool And
electric lights Oh, we have waited
a long time for 1t, and we've been very
patient indeed, but, between you and
me, father, l am most nightly glad
we've hit the luxury land at last. I'm
sure We'll nll feel much more religious
In a parsonage that has a 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 right-according to
her own good pleasure. Afterward
they had cozy luncheon for two in
the "dlning ROOM"
"Oh, 1t Is so elegant to have a din.
ing ROOM" breathed Prudence happily.
81 always pretended 1t 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 there2"
Eyes, that's where Connie will 60.
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 a lovely place over there,
father" exclaimed Prudence, looking
from the living room windows toward
the south. isn't II beautiful ?"
"Ies. The Avery family lives there,
The parents are very old and feeble,
and the daughters are all--eldqrly-
and all schoolteachers. There are four
Of them, and the youngest is forty-six.
Dear me, 1t Is two o'clock already, and
must go at once. Mrs, Adams will
be here In few minutes, and you will
not be lonely" ,r...,
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,
md found It empty. In despair, she
plunged into the barn-and stopped
abruptly.
In shadowy corner wns a slender
fgure kneellng beside an overturned
lailkeg, her face buried In her hands.
Evidently this was Prudence engaged
n prayer--and In the barn, OF all places
n the world ,r
"A--a--a-hem |" stammered Mrs,
ADAMS inquIringly.
amen !" This was spoken aloud
md hurriedly, and Prudence leaped
o her feet, Her fair hair clung about
Ter face In damp, babylsh tendrlls, and
Ter face was flushed and dusty, but
light with friendly interest. She ran
Onward eagerly thrustlng forth a slim
md grimy hand,
"lou are Mrs. Adams, aren't you? / /
I'm Prudence Starr. 1t is so kind OF
'ou to come the very first day." she
'rled. at makes me love you right at
he start
"Ye--yes, am Mrs. Adams" Mrs.
ADAMS was embarrassed. She could |
lot Danish from her mental vision TINT |
'neellng figure by the nailkeg. Inter |
ogation was written all over her |
'mple face, md Prudence promptly |
cad II and FASTENED to reply.
Il do not generally say my prayers
n the barn, Mrs, Adams, | assure You.
Sut--well, when found this grand.
I'D, rambling barn, was so thankful
couldn't resist praying about H."