Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1917-02-23


Iowa." and in the lower left-hand cor
ner was a suggestive drawing of a
Skull and Crossbones. The eyes of the
mlschievous twins twinkled with de-
light when they saw it, and they car
ried 1t to the barn for prompt perusal.
II read as follows:
Miss Constance Starr humbIy and re-
specially 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, wait
ing impatiently for it. She, had ap-
preached the twins about 1t at noon
that day.
did you get my applicationr she
had whispered nervously.
But the twins had stared her out of
countenance, and Connie realized that
she had committed a serious breach of
secret society etiquette.
But here was the letter! Her fin
gers trembled as she opened it. 1t 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. at is the will of
do this" they would say. And the
| damsel did 1t.
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 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 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. l
saw them when 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. "It's
so bad for the eyes,"
Eyes, 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
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-
aman.
"Damsel," she said, st is the will of
Skull and Crossbones that you HE We
to yonder orchard-Avery's l mean
and bring hither some OF the golden
apples basking in the SUM-"
"WhatP calculated Connie, startled
out of her respect.
Carol frowned.
| Connie FASTENED to modify her tone.
did they say you might have them?'
she inquired politely.
'That concerns thee not; it's 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
4 GER"
"But it's stealing" objected Connie
what will Prudence"
"Damseli" And Connie turned te
obey with despair In her heart.
"Bring twelve" Carol called after
her, 'that'll be four apiece. And hurry
J Connie. And see they don't catch you
while you're about It."
After she had gone the twins lay
back thoughtfully on the hay and
; stared at the cobwebby roof above
them In silence for while. Something
, was hurting them, but whether 1t wal
, their fear of the wrath Of Prudence
, or the twinges Of tender consciences-
who can savw