Mexico Missouri message., 1917-12-20
CHAPTER v.
Substitution.

ouD5IiluItOns
The twins came in at dinner-tlmC
wrapped In unwonted silence. Lark's
face was darkened by an anxiou,
shadow, while Carol wore an expires
sion of heroic determination.
WHATS up" Connie asked, wher
the rest Of the family dismissed the
matter with amused glances.
Lark sighed and looked at Carol
seeming to seek courage from the Spar.
tan cOuntennnce.
Carol squared her shoulders.
well, go on" Connie urged. "Don't
be silly. You know you're crazy to tell
nus about it, you only want to be
coaxed."
Lark sighed again, and gazed appeal
tngly at her stOut-hearted twin. Carol
never could resist the appeal of those
pleading eyes.
"Larkie promised to speak a piece
at the Sunday-school concert two
weeks from tomorrow" she vOuch-
safed, as unconcernedly as possible.
Mercy" calculated Connie, with an
hstonishment that was not altogether
complimentary.
Careful, Larkie," cautioned Fairy.
"You'll disgrace the parsonage If you
don't watch out"
Nonsense" declared their father,
"Lark can speak as well as anybody if
she just keeps good grip on herself
and doesn't get stage fright"
Aunt Grace smiled gently.
Connie frowned. ITS risky busi-
ness" she said. Lark can't speak any
more than rabbit, and"
Il know It," was the humble admis-
sion.
Don't be a goose, Con-" interrupted
Carol. "Of course Lark can speak
piece. She must learn 1t, learn IT,
tearn it, so she can rattle 1t off back
wards with her eyes shut. That's the
whole secret OF course she can
speak"
How did it happenT inquired
FAIRY.
II don't know" Lark said sorrow
fully. Nothing was ever farther from
any thoughts. assure you. The first
thing / knew, Mrs. Curtiss was thank
fng me for my promise, and Carol was
marching me Off like grim DEATH"
= Carol smiled, relieved now that the |
family commentary was over. at was
very natural. Mrs. Curtiss begged her
TO do 1t, and Lark refused. That al |
ways happens, every time the Sunday |
school gives an entertainment. But |
Efhrs. Curtiss went on to say how badly |
tthe Sunday school needs the money, |
and how big drawing card 1t would |
De for both of US twins to be on the |
program, one right after the other, and |
bow well II would look for the par
sonage, and 1t never occurred to me to |
warn Lark, for never dreamed of her
doing it."
II thought 1t wouldn't hurt me to try
II once" Lark volunteered in her own |
hefense. |
Aunt Grace nodded, with a smile of
interested approval.
Tim proud OF you, Lark, quite proud
tof you" her father said warmly. "Ies
"a big thing for you to make such a
fine"
: I'm proud Of you now, too" Connie
said darkly. "The question is, will we
be proud Of you after the concerto
I Lark sighed dolOrously.
| ''Oh, pooh /" encouraged Carol. "Any-
BODY can speak silly little old piece
like that. And 1t will look so nice to
Ihave our names right together on the
program. It'll bring out all the high
school folks, sure"
( 'Yes, they'll come to hear Lark, all
right" Fairy smiled. "But she'll make
tt go, of course. And 1t will give Carol
"a chance TO show her cleverness, by
telling her how to do It,"
So as soon al supper was over, Carol
said decidedly, snow, Connie, you'll
have to help me with the dishes the
next two weeks, for Lark's got to prac-
tlce on that piece. Lark, you must
read 1t over, very thoughtfully first to
get the meaning. Then just read IL
and read it and read 1t, dozen times,
a hundred times, over and over and
over And pretty soon you'll know It,"
"I'll bet / don't" was the dlscourag-
Ing retort as Lark. with pronounced {
took the slip of paper and sat
down In the corner to rend the 'bIoom- |
Ing thing" as she muttered GROSSLY to
herself.
Connie and Carol did up the dishes
In dreadful silence, and then Carol re-
turned to the charge. "How many
times did you read it2"
Fourteen and half" was the pa
dent answer. tits silly thing. Carol.
There's no sense to II. The wind went !
i?i9ting DER the lea"