The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1917-11-28

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 pauslng, and the
massive door swung behind her.
The four older girls were at the
table when Connie came home. She
cXhnled quiet satisfaction from every
pore. Prudence glanced ut her once,
and then looked away again. "She has
reconcilcd herself" she thought. Din
ncr was half over before Constance
burst her bomb.
"Are you going to be busy this after
noon, Prudence?' she asked quietly.
1--WE are going to sew little," said
Prudence. "Why?"
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-I can't
wear fathers coat to church, Pru-
dcnce. It's Ats a-physlcal impos-
sibility."
The twins laughed, Fairy smiled, but
Prudence gozed ut "thc baby" with
tender pity.
"I'm so sorry, dearest, but we haven't
the money to buy one now"
"Will five dollars be enough?" in
Quircd Connie, and she placed crisp
new bill beside her plate. The twins
gasped They gnZcd at Connie with
new respect. They were just wishing
they could handle fivc-dollar bills so
recklcssly.
"Will you loan me twenty dollars un-
til after Christmas, Connie" qucricd
Fairy.
But Prudence asked, "Whcrc did you
get this money, Connie?"
Il borrowed it-from the bank" Con-
ME replied with proper gravity. 81
have two years to pay it 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
cd it?"
Yes l explained the whole situa-
tion."
what did he say?"
"llc said he knew just how I felt,
because he knew he couldn't 60 to
church in his wifc's coat.-No, said
that myself, but he agreed with me. He
did not say very much, but lie 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 stcrnly. 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.
IIarold's bank. Flushed and cmhar.
raised, she explained the situation
frankly. My sympathicS are all with
Connie She said candidly. "But am
afraid father would not like it. We are
dead set against borrowing. After
our mrthcr was taken, we were crowd
ed pretty close for money. SO we had
to so in debt. 1t took us two years to
get ii paid. Father and Fairy and
talked it over then, and decided we
would starvc rather than borrow again
Even the twins understood it, but Con-
ME was too little. She doesn't know
how hcnrtbrcaling it is to keep hand
ing over every cent for debt, when one
is just ycarning for other things. l do
wish she might have the coat, but Tin
afraid father would not like it. She
gave me the five dollars for safekccp-
ing, and / have brought 1T back"
Mr.. Harold shook his head. mo,
Connie must have her coat. This will
be good lesson for her. 1t will teach
her the bitterness OF living under debt
BESIDES, Prudcncs, I think in my heart
that she is right this time. This is q
case where borrowing is justified. Get
her the coat, and I'll square the ac-
count with your father" Then he
added, "And I'll look after this salary
business after this. I'll arrange with
the trustees that [ am 10 pay your IA
thcr his full salary The first OF every
month, and that the church receipts are
TO be turned in to me. And if they
do not pay up, my lawyer can do lit
tie investigating Little Connie earned
that five dollars, for she taught one
trustee sorry lesson And he will
have to pass 1t on to the Others in self
defense! Now, run along and get the
coat, and If five dollars isn't enough
you can have as much more as you
need. Your father will get his salary
after this, my dear, If we have to mort
gage the parSonngcW