Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1917-03-16

cried about 1t, wouldn't have cared Sc
much. But she looked so--heartsick.
didn't she, Fairy"
Connie certainly was heartsick. More
than that, she was little disguised.
She felt herself aroused to take action.
Things had gone too far Go to church
in her fathers coat she could not She
walked sturdily down the street toward
the rcity"-ironically so called. Her
face was stony, her hands were
clenched. But finally she frightened.
Her tagging steps quickened. She
skipped along quite cheerfully. She
turned westward as she reached the
corner of the square, and walked along
that business street with shining eyes.
In front of the First National bank she
paused, but after few seconds she
passed by. On the opposite corner was
another BANK. When she reached 1t,
she walked in without pausing, and the
massive door swung behind her.
The four older girls were of the
table when Connie came home. She
exhaled quiet satisfaction from every
pore. Prudence glanced at her once,
and then looked away again. "She has
reconciled herself" she thought. Din
ner was half over before Constance
burst her bomb.
Are you going to be busy this after
noon. Prudence?" she asked quietly.
"We are going to sew a little" said
Prudence "Whv?"
II wanted you to go downtown with
me after school,"
swell. perhaps I can do that. Fairy
will be able to finish the coat alone"
"You needn't finish the coat can't
wear fathers coat to church, Pru-
dence. It's ATS a-physical impos-
sibility."
The twins laughed, Fairy smiled, but
Prudence gazed at "the baby" with
tender pity.
"Tm SO sorry. dearest, but we haven't
the money to buy one now"
"Wlll FIVE dollars be enough?" in
quired Connie, and she placed crisp
new bill beside her plate. The twins
gasped! They gazed at Connie with
new respect. They were just wishing
they could handle fve-dollar bills so
recklessly.
"Will you loan me twenty dollars un-
til after Christmas, Connie" Queried
Fairy.
But Prudence asked, "Where did you
get this money, CONNER"
II borrowed it-from the bank" Con-
ME replied with proper gravity. 81
have two years to pay 1t back. Mr..
Harold says they are proud to have my
trade"
Prudence was silent for several long
seconds. Then she inquired In low
voice, "Did you tell him why you want
ed It'll"
"Yes, explained the whole situa-
ton"
what did he sayT'
"He said he knew Just how I felt,
because he knew he couldn't 20 to
church In his wife's coat.--No, said
that myself, but he agreed with me. He
did not say very much. but he looked
sympathetic. He said he anticipated
great pleasure In seeing me In my new
coat at church next Sunday"
go on with your luncheon, twins"
said Prudence sternly. you'll be late
to school. Wen see about going down
town when you get home tonight, Con-
ME. Now. eat your luncheon. and
don't talk about coats any more"
When Connie had gone back to
school, Prudence went straight to Mr..
Harold's bank. Flushed and embar-
raised, she explained the situation
frankly. my sympathies are all with
Connie" she said candidly. "But am
afraid father would not like it. We are
dead set against borrowing. After
our mother was taken, we were crowd
ed pretty close for money. SO we had
to 60 in debt. It took us two years to
get 1t paid. Father and Fairy and
talked 1t over then. and decided we
would starve rather than borrow again.
Even the twins understood II, but Con-
ME was too little. She doesn't know
how heartbreaxing It Is to keep hand
ing over every cent for debt, when one
Is Just yearning for Other things. do
wish she might have the coat, but I'm
afraid father would not like it. She
gave me the i've dollars for safekeep-
ing, and have brought 1t back"
Mr.. Harold shook his head. mo,
Connie must have her coat. This win
be good lesson for her. It win teach