The Huttig news., 1917-01-20

Skull and Crossbones. The eyes of the mischievous twins twinkled with de- light when they saw it, and they, car ried It to the barn for prompt perusai. Ii read as follows:
 Miss Constance Starr humbly and re- spectfully craves admittanee into the An cient and Honorable Organization of Skull and Crossbones.
 The twins pondered long on a fitting reply and the next afternoon the post- man brought letter for Connie, wait ing impatiently for it. She had ap- preached the twins about it at noon that day.
 Did you get my application2" she had whispered nervously.
 But the twins had stared her out of countenance, and Connie realized that she had committed Il serious breach of secret society etiquette.
 But here was the letter. Her fin- gers tren,bled as she opened it. It was decorated lavishly 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, If 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 model pledge of the ancient and honorable. The twins were gra- cious but firm. There was no arguing and no faltering. Tt is the will of Skull and Crossbones that the damsel do this" they would say. And the 1amse did 1t.
 Prudence did not feel 1t 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 a mellow world. Con- stance was In the yard. reading fairy story. The situation was tense one, for the twins were hungry, and time was heavy on their hands.
 ''The apple trees in Avery's orchard are just loaded" said Lark. And there are lots on the ground, too. I saw them when I was out in the field this morning."
 Carol gazed down into the yard where Constance was absorbed In her book. Constance oughtn't to read as much as she does," she argued. Its fso had for the eyes
 "9es, and what's more, she's been getting off too easy for the last few days. The time is nearly up.'' That's so," said Lark. Lets call f her up here." This was done at once , and the unfortunate Constance stood before them respectfully, as they had instructed her to stand. The twins hesitated. each secretly hoping the other would voice the order. But Lark, as usual, was obliged to be the spokes- man.
 "Damsel," she said, "it is the will of Skull and Crossbones that you hie ye to wonder orchard-Avery's I mean and bring hither some of the golden apples basking in the sum-"
 What" calculated Connie, startled out of her respect.
 Carol frowned.
 Connie hastened to modify her tone. Did they say you might have them?" she inquired politely.
 That concerns thee not 'tis for thee only to render obedience to the orders of the Society. Go out through our field and sneak under the fence where the wires are loose. and hurry back We're awfully hungry. The trees are near the fence. There isn't any dan ger"
 But it's stealing" objected Connie. "What will Prudence"
 "Damsel :" And Connie turned to obey with despair in her heart.
 Bring twelve" Carol called after her, "that'll be four apiece. And hurry. Connie. And see they don't catch you while you're about it.''
 After she had gone the twins lay back thougntfully on the hay and stared at the cobwebby roof above them in silence for while. Something was hurting them, but whether it was theiS fear of the wrath of Prudelce, or the twinges of tender consciences- who can say2"
 She's an unearglly long time about it." exclaimed Lark at last. Do you suppose they caught herr"
 This was an awful thought, and the girls were temporarily suffocated. But they heard the barn door swinging be- meath them, and sighed with relief. It was Connie She climbed the ladder skillfully. and poured Ter golden treas ure before the arch-thieyes Skull and Crossbones.
 There were eight big, tempting. apples.
 Hum! Eight!" said Carol sternfy, II said twelve"
 "Yes, but I was afraid someone was coming. I heard such noise through the grapevines, so I got what I could