The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-03-01

lOWu, anu III tne lower leIt-nunu cor |
ner was suggestive drawing of a |
Skull and Crossbones. The eyes of the |
mischievous twins twinkled with de- |
| light when they saw 1t. and they car
ried II to the barn for prompt perusal.
It read as follows:
Miss Constance Starr humbly and re-
spectfully Graves admittance into the An
cient and Honorable Organization of
Skull and Crossbones.
The twins pondered long on fitting
reply, and the next afternoon the post
man brought letter for Connie. walt
ing impatiently for it. She had ap-
that day.
"Did you get my applicationT she
had whispered nervously.
But the twins had stared her out of
countenance, and Connie realized that
she had committed serious breach of
secret society etiquette.
But here was the letter Her fin
gers trembled as she opened it. 1t was
decorated lavishiy with skulls and
crossbones, splashed with red ink, sup
posedly blood. and written in the same
suggestive color.
Skull and Crossbones. great In mercy
and in condescension, has listened graci-
ously to the prayer OF Constance, the
Seeker Hear the will OF the Great Spirit!
II the Seeker will. for the length of two
weeks, submit herself to the will of Skull
and Crossbones, she shall be admitted in
to the Ancient and Honorable Order.
The week that followed was a gala
A. xF hall n,.A
bones. Constance swept their room,
made their bed, washed their dishes,
J dN their chores, and in every way be-
haved as a model pledge of the ancient
and honorable. The twins were gra-
. cious but firm. There was no arguing
and no faltering. "It is the will OF
Skull and CrOssbones that the damsel
do this" they would say. And the
damsel did 1t.
Prudence did not feel it was a case
that called for her interference. Sc
she sat back and watched, while the
n twins told stories, read and frolicked
s and Constance did their daily tasks.
l. A week passed, ten days, and twelve
e Then came golden October Afternoon
when the twins sat In the haymOv
e looking out upon mellow world. Con
stance was in the yard, reading fair!
u story. The situation was tense one
for the twins were hungry, and tim
was heavy on their hands.
le ''The apple trees In Avery's orchar'
ls are Just loaded" said Lark. IAN,
X there are lots CT the ground, too.
r saw them when ! was out in the fell
u this morning."
+ Carol gazed down into the var
H. where Constance was absorbed In he
ri book. constance oughtn't to read a
nj much as she does" she argued. 1T
~ so bad for the eyes,"
r. Eyes, and what's more. she's bee
getting off too easy for the last fe'
lg days. The time is nearly up"
Ie, "Thats so," said Lark. Lets ca
" her up here" This was done ut ono
and the unfortunate Constance stoO
ed before them respectfully. as they ha
instructed her to stand. The twir
]! hesitated, each secretly hoping ii
rn other would voice the order. But Lar
OF as usual, was obliged to be the spoke
ed man.
an "Damsel," she said, at Is the will I
ed Skull and Crossbones that you HE !
to yonder orchard-Avery's ! mean
he and bring hither some of the gOlds
a apples basking In the sum-"
IN "What !" calculated Connie. startl'
ter out of her respect.
he Carol frOwned.
en Connie hastened to modify her ton
es. "Did they say you might have them
ng she inquired politely.
On "That concerns thee not; It's for tn
nd only to render obedience to the Orde
IN of the Society. Go out through o
zen field and sneak under the fence whe
the wires are loose, and hurry bat
ith We're awfully hungry. The trees a
ird near the fence. There isn't any da
or ger"
,ed "But it's stealing" objected Conn
"What will Prudence"
de- "Damsel And Connie turned
ETY. obey with despair In her heart.
,pi- "Bring twelve" Carol called aft
uld her, "tha.'ll be four apiece. And hur
Ills Connie. And see they don't catch y
not while you're about It,"
ret After she had gone the twins
ap- back thoughtfully on the hay a
ist- stared at the cObwebby roof abe
them in silence for while. Somethl
the was hurting them, but whether 1t v
to their fear Of the wrath of Pruden
the or the twinges Of tender conscience
ark. who can say"