The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-03-23
CHAPTER lx-contlnued.

He went upstairs to obey, with de-
spair in his heart. But TO the girls,
there was nothing strange in this ex-
actness on the part of Prudence. Jer-
rOld Harmer was the hero of the rO-
nance, and they must unite to do him
honor. lie was probably a prince in
disguise. Jrrrold Harmer was IA per-
fectly thrilling name. It was really a
shame that America allows no titles
Lord JerrOld did sound so noble, and
Lady Prudence was very effective, too
He and Prudence were married, and
had a family Of four children, named
for the various STAIRS, before one hour
had passed.
"Tll begin my book right away"
Lark was saying. She and Carol were
in the dining room madly polishing
their Sunday shoes, what time they
were not performing the marriage GER
emony Of their sister and the hero,
"Yes, do! But for goodness sake,
don't run her into a mule! Seems to
me even Prudence could have done bet
ter than that"
"Tll lfave his automobile break down
in the middle Of the road, and Pru-
dence can run into it. The carburetor
came off, and of course the car
wouldn't run an inch without it."
"Yes, that's good" said Carol ap-
provingly. ut must be a sixty-cylin-
der, eight horse pOwer-er-tonneau
or something real big and costly"
Twins You won't be ready"
warned Prudence, and this dire posi-
bility sent them flying upstairs in a
panic.
While the girls, bubbling over with
excitement, were dressing for the great
event, Mr.. Starr went downstairs to
sit with Prudence. Carol called to him
on his way down, and he paused on
the staircase, looking up at her.
Lark and l are going to use some
of Fairy's powder father" she said.
"We feel that we simply must on an
occasion like this. And for goodness
sake, don't mention 1t before him! 1t
doesn't happen very often, you know,
but today we simply must. Now, don't
you say anything about falling in the
flour barrel, or turning pale all of a
sudden, whatever else you do. We'd
be so mortified father"
Mr.. Starr was concerned with
weightier matters, and went on down
to Prudence with never so much as
reproving shake of the head for the
worldly-minded young twins.
"Father," began Prudence, her eyes
on the lace cOverlet, ''dO you think it
would be all right for me to wear that
silk dressing gown of mothers? /
need something over my nightgOwn,
and my old flannel kimOnO is so ugly.
You know, mother said l was to have
it, and-Tm twenty now. Do you think
it would be all right? But if you do
not want me to wear it"
II do want you to-" was the prompt
reply. "Yes, it is quite time you were
wearing it. I'll get it out Of the trunk
myself, and send Fairy down to help
you" Then as he turned toward the
door, he asked carelessly, as he very
good-lOoking, Prudence?"
And Prudence, with crimson face,
answered quickly, "Oh, l really didn't
notice, father"
He went on upstairs then, and pres
emily Fairy came down with the dainty
silk gown trimmed with fine soft lace.
RI brought my lavender ribbon for your
hair, Prudence 1t will match the
gown so nicely. Oh, you do look sweet,
dearest. pity Jerrold Harmer, l can
tell you that. Now | must hurry and
finish my own dressing"
But with her foot on the bottom
stair. she paused. Her sister was call
ing after lf5c "Send father down here,
quick, Fairy"
Father ran down quickly, and Pru- |
dence, catching hold of his hands, |
whispered wretchedly, "Oh, father, he |
he is gOOd-lOOking. II did notice
it. / didn't really mean to lie to you" |
"There, now, Prudence" he said,
kissing her tenderly, ''yOu mustn't get |
excited again. I'm afraid you are too
nervous to have callers. You must lie |
very quietly until he comes. That was
no lie child. You are so upset you do
not know what you are saying today.
BE quiet now, Prudence, it's nearly
time for him to come"
"You are II dear good father" she
cried, kissing his hands passionately,
but It was lie. did know what /
was saying. did 1t on purpose"
And Mr.. Starr's heart was heavy, for
he knew that his fears were realized.