The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-01-05

run ! left II on the train :"
Father did run, but Prudence, neeter
footed, outdistanced him and clam
bercd on board, painting.
When she reioined her father her
face was flushed "Oh, father" she
said quite snapplly, isn't that just like
me2"
ayes, very like" he agreed, and he
smiled.
"And so this is Mount Mark Isn't
II funny name, father? Why do they
call II Mount Mark?'
81 don't know. ! hadn't thought to
Inquire. We turn here Prudence. This
is Main street. The city part Of the
I town-the business parts TO the
SOUTH"
ITS pretty street, isn't it?" she
cried. "Such nice big naples, and such
shady, porchy houses. love houses
with porches, don't you? Has the par
sonage a pOrch?"
"Yes, big one on the south, and n
tiny one in front We have the house
fixed up pretty well, Prudence hut Of
course yOu'll have TO go over 1t your
self and arrange 1t as you like. | must
go to trustees meeting at two
o'clock, but we can get good deal
done before then. Mrs. Adams is com
, ing To help you this afternoon. She
is one Of our Ladies', and very kind.
There, that is the parsonage !"
Prudence gazed in silence. Many
would not have considered it beauti-
full dwelling. but to Prudence 1t was
heavenly. Fortunately the wide grassy,
shaded lawn greeted one first. Great,
spreading naples bordered the street
and clustering rosebuShes lined the
walk leading up to the house. The par
sonage, to Prudences gratifed eyes,
looked honey, ana big, and inviting.
There were many windows, and the
well-knOwn lace curtains looked down
upon Prudence tripping happily up the
little board walk-Or 50 it seemed to
her.
Two whole stories and an attic be-
sides! Not TO mention the bathroom
Oh, father, the night after you wrote
there was bathroom, Constance
thanked God for 1t when she said her
prayers. And a furnace, too! And
electric lights Oh, we have waited
long time for 1t, and we've been very
patient indeed but. between you and
me, father, ! am most nightly glad
we've hit the luxury land mt last. I'm
sure Wen all feel much more religious
in a parsonage that has a bathroom
and electric lights Oh, father!
He had thrown open the door, and
Prudence stood upon the threshold Of
her new home. Together she and her
father went from room to room, up
stairs and down, moving a table to the
left, a bed TO the right-according to
her own good pleasure. Afterward
they had a cOzy luncheon for two in
the dining ROOM"
"Oh, 1t is so elegant to have din.
ing roOm," breathed Prudence happily.
II always pretended it was rather fun,
and a great saving of work, to eat and
cook and study and live in one room,
but inwardly the idea always outraged
me. Is that the school over there?"
"Yes, that's where Connie will go.
There is only one high school in Mount
Mark. so the twins will have to go to
the other side of tOwn-a long walk, |
but in good weather they can come
home for dinner"
"Oh, that's a lovely place over there. |
father!" exclaimed Prudence looking |
from the living room windows toward
the south. Isn't it beautiful?
"Yes. The Avery family lives there. |
The parents are very old and feeble,
and the daughters are all-elderly-
and all schoOlteachers. There are four
IF them, and the youngest is forty-six.
Dear me, it is two O'clock already, and
must go at once. Mrs. Adams will
oe here in a few minutes, and you will
lot be lonely"
But when Mrs. Adams arrived at the
she knocked repeatedly, and
n vain. Finally she gathered her robes
bout her and went into the back yard.
She peered into the wOOdshed, and saw
10 one. She went into the barn lot,
nd found it empty. In despair, she
'lunged into the barn-and stopped
bruptly.
In shadOwy corner was slender
gure kneeling beside an overturned
ailkeg, her face buried in her hands.
this was Prudence engaged
] prayer-and in the barn, of all places
l the world!
'A-a-a-hem !" stammered Mrs.
dams inquiringly. I
"Amen !" This was spoken aloud [
nd hurriedly, and Prudence leaped
} her feet. Her fair hair clung about {
er face in damp, babyish tendrils, and |
er face was flushed and dusty, but
light with friendly interest. She ran c
,rward eagerly, thrusting forth a slim 1
nd grimy hand. "
You are Mrs. Adams. aren't you? | =
n Prudence Starr. 1t is so kind Of v
~ to come the very first day." she t
led. 1T makes me love you right at
e start" ii
"Ye-yes, j am Mrs. Adams" Mrs. j.
dams was embarrassed. She could 81
It Danish from her mental vision that
feeling figure by the nailkeg. Inter
gatiOn was written all over her
nple face, and Prudence promptly tv
ad 1t and hastened to reply. Of
Il do not generally say my prayers 81
the barn, Mrs. Adams, l assure you. fl
lt--well, when found this grand. te
], rambling barn, ] was SO thankful bi