The Huttig news., 1917-02-03
CHAPTER VI.
Practicinq Economy.

It was dull day early in Decem. Der. Prudence and Fairy were sew ing in the bay window of the sitting room.
 We must be sure to have all the scraps out of the way before Connie gets home," said Prudence, carefully fitting together pieces of dark, warm, furry material. Tt has been so long since father wore this coat, 1 am sure she will not recognize it."
 But she will ask where we got it, and what shall we say?"
 "We must tell her it is goods we have had in the house for long time That is true. And l made this fudge on pur- pose to distract her attention. Poor child. :" she added very sympatheti- cally Her heart Is just set on a brand new coat I know she will be bitterly disappointed. If the members would just pay up we could get her one. No vemher and December are such bad months for parsonage people. Every. one Is getting ready for Christmas now. and forgets that parsonage people need Christmas money, too.a
 Fairy took pin from her mouth. T have honestly been ashamed of Connie the last few Sundays. It was so cold. and she wore only that little thin nssum- mer jacket. She must have been half frozen"
 'Oh, I had her dressed warmly un- derneath, very warmly indeed" de- clared Prudence. But no matter how warm you are underneath, you look cold if you aren't visibly prepared for winter weather. I kept hoping enough money would come in to buy her coat for once in her life."
 "She has been looking forward to one long enough" put in Fairy. "This will be a bitter blow to her. And yet it Is not such bad-looking coat, after all." And she quickly ran up seam on the machine.
 Here comes Connie!" Prudence hastily swept pile of scraps out Of sight, and turned to greet her little sister with cheery smile.
 Come on in, Connie" she cried, with brightness she did not feel. Fairy and I are making you a new coat. Isn't 1t pretty? And so warm See the nice velvet collar and cuffs. We want to fit it on you right away, dear"
 Connie picked up a piece of the goods and examined 1t intently.
 Don't you want some fudge. Con- nie?" exclaimed Fairy. showing the ct. ,rJ hnr h,rr nIlx
 Connie took a piece from the plate, and thrust it between her teeth. Her eyes were still fastened upon the brown furry cloth.
 "Where did you get this stuff?' she inquired, as soon as she was able to speak.
 "Out of the trunk in the garrett Con- nie. Don't you want some more fudgef I put lot of nuts in, especially on your account"
 Its good" said Connie, taking an other piece. She examined the cloth very closely. Say, Prudence, isn't this that old brown coat of fathers?'
 Fairy showed her chair back from the machine. and ran to the window. Look, Prue," she cried. "Isn't that Mrs. Adams coming this way? won- der"
 No, it isn't" answered Connie gravely. Its just Miss Avery getting home from school.-Isn't it, Prudence? Fathers coat, I mean?"
 "Yes, Connie, it is," said Prudence, very, very gently. But no one here has seen it, and it is such nice cloth just exactly what girls are wearing now"
 "But wanted a new coat" Connie did not cry. She stood looking atsPru- dence with her wide hurt eyes.
 "Oh, Connie, I'm just as sorry as you are,' cried Prudence, with starting tears. "I know just how you feel about 1t dearest! But the people didn't pay father up last month. Maybe after Christmas we can get you coat. They pay up better then"
 "I think I'd rather wear my summer coat until then" said Connie soberly.
 "Oh, but you can't, dearest. It is too cold. Won't you be good girl now, and not make sisSr feel badly about It? It really is becoming to you, and It Is nice and warm. Take some more fudge, dear. and run out-of-doors q