The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-01-25
CHAPTER w.
A Secret Society.


rambling barn back OF the parsonage
was a most delightful place. 1t had
big cowshed on one side. and horse
stalls on the other, with n heavenly"
hnymow over all. and with "chutes" for
the descent OF hay--and twins
Now the twins had secret society
OF which they were the founders, the
officers and the membership body. Its
name was Skull and Crossbones. Lark
furnished the brain power for the or
ganlzation, but her sister was an en-
thusiastic and energetic second. Car
OILS club name was Lady Gwendolyn.
and Lark's was Sir Alfred Angelcourt
ordinarily. although subject to frequent
change. The old barn saw stirring
times after the coming of the new par
sonage family.
"IInrk Hark!" sounded n kissing
whisper from the corncrib. and Connie.
eavesdropping outside the barn, shiv-
cred sympathetically.
what is II! oh. what is III" walled
the unfortunate lady.
Look Look Run for your life -
Then while Connie clutched the barn
door In a frenzy. there was sound Of
rafting corn as the twins scrambled
upward. a silence, n low thud, and an
unromantic "Ouchl" as Carol bumped
her head and stumbled.
Are you assaultedf" shouted the
bold Sir Alfred, and Connie heard n
wild scuf'le as he rescued his compan-
Ion from the clutches Of the old halter
on which she had stumbled. Up the
haymow ladder they hurried. aud then
slid recklesly down the hay chutes.
Presently the barn door was flung
open. and the society" knocked Con-
ME flying backward. ran mndly around
the barn few times. and scurried I'M
coop.
A little later Connie. assailed with
shots OF corncobs. ran bitterly toward
the house. "Peeking' was strictly for
hidden when the twins were engaged
In Skull and Crossbones activities.
And Comics soul burned with de-
sire. She felt that this secret society
was threatening not only her happi-
ness. but also her health. for she could
not sleep for horrid dreams OF Skulls
and Crossbones mt night. and could not
eat for envying the twins their secret
and mysterious joys. Finally she ap-
piled To Prudence. and received assist
ance.
The afternoon mail brought 10 the
parsonage an envelope addressed to
''Mlsses Carol and Lark Starr, the
Methodist Parsonage. Mount Mark,
Iowa" and In the lower left-hand cor
ner was suggestive drawing of a
Skull and Crossbones. The eyes of the
mlschievous twins twinkled with de-
light when they saw II, and they car
ried II to the barn for prompt perusal.
II read as follows:
Miss Constance Starr humbly and re-
spectfully Graves admlttance 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, wait
ing impatiently for II. She had ap-
preached the twins about II at noon
that day.
"Did you get my application 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 II. Ii was
decorated lsvishly 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
one for the twins of Skull and Cross
bones. Constance swept their room,
made their bed, washed their dishes,
did 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. 1T is the will of
Skull and Crossbones that the damsel
do this" they would say. And the
damsel did II.
Prudence did not feel It was a case
that called for her Interference. So
she sat back and watched. while the
twins told stories, read and frolicked.
and Constance did their daily tasks.
A week passed. ten days, and twelve.
Then came a golden october afternoon
when the twins sat In the haymow
looking out upon mellow world. Con-
stance was In the yard, reading fairy
story. The situation was a tense one.
for the twins were hungry, and time
was heavy on their hands.
'"rhe apple trees In Ayery's orchard
are just loaded" said Lark. "And
there are lots on the ground, too. 1
saw them when was out In the field
this morning."