Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-03-06
CHAPTER V.-continued.

That was the end Of supper. No
ma attempted to eat another bite.
After the older girls had gone into the
string room. Carol and Lark went
about their work with stricken faces.
They asked if they might speak to
Constance. but Prudence went in with
them to say good night TO her. The
twins broke down and cried as they
saw the pltIful little figure with the
wan and tear-stained face. They threw
their arms around her passiOnately
and kissed her many times. But they
went to bed without saying anything.
It was Il sorry night for the twins.
The next morning they set off to
school, with no chance for anything
but a brief good morning with Connie
given 10 the presence of Prudence.
Halfway down the parsonage walk,
Carol said:
"0h, wait q minute, Lark. / left my
notebook on the table" And Lark
walked slowly while Carol went rush
ing back. She found Prudence in the
kitchen and whispered:
"Iere-heres a note, Prudence.
Don't read it until after I've gone to
ShOol-at ten o'clock you may read it.
VIII you promise"
Prudence laughed a little, but she
Promised and laid the note carefully
away to wait the appointed hour for
IT'S peruSal. As the clock struck ten
she went to the mantle and took it
down. This is what Carol had writ
ten:
Oh, Prudence. do please forgive me, and
don't punish Connie any more. You can
punish me any way you like, and I'll be
glad Of 1t. Il was all my fault / made
her go and get the apples for me, and l
ate them. Connie didn't eat one of them
she said stolen apples would not taste
very good It was all my fault. and I'm
50 sorry.
As Prudence read this her face grew
very stern. Carols fault! At that
moment Prudence heard someone run
ming through the hail, and thrust the
note hastily into her dress. 1t was
Lark and she flung herself wildly up
On Prudence, SObbing bitterly.
What is the matter. Lark" she
cried, really frightened. Are YOU
sckY
"Heartsick, that's ALL" walled Lark
l told the teacher l was sick so l
could come ome. but I'm not. Oh.
PRUDENCE | know you'll despise and
Aoo'IIuaJe ME all the rest of your life.
anu everybody WILL and l deserve it.
'v' stole those apples myself"
prudence was surprised and puzzled.
S~e drew the note from her pocket
ana gave It TO Lark. Carol gave me
"-. before She went to school," she
explained Read it, and tell me what
you ITe driving at l think Won are
.',n crazy. Or maybe you are lust
"!.aS 10 shield poor Connie"
Lark read Carols note, and gasned
a-1-'lFS. ouJ laughing! The shame
~, ,-' ''.,e' weeping and nervousness.
-@l rendered her historical. and now
S~e laughed and cried until Prudence
was alarmed again.
SO '''"'' however. Lark was able TO
explain. I'VE both did it," She gosned
b1s . >n,. u, and CrossboneS. And We
e.. .--7"Ce laughed. But when she
.-'-sa' OF loyal little Connie sohh;nc
~ ,,''ousa the long night. the tears
c c-'-e 10 her eyes again. She went
S ,Sy To the telephone and called mn
pa7Soasse uoo' 10 the
NJ Nay ! speak to Constance Starr
r1 -. mes She asked. at Is very inn
', .'.--'. This is Prudence her sIs.
t.,-, AND When Connie came n tine
T '..,.4eae She cried: oh. yov bIsss t.S
W.1 'a'1 Why didn't you tell ms5
-, you forgive HE. Connieq yor.re
,s.. .,4.' sweet, Eood little darling
---, villa, You are" '' nus
WI. Prudence" That WAS oil Con-
49, s-,-, but something in her voice
,- -s t'ri-a-s hang up the rece ssT
'--rn.y. alt cry bitterly,
int -''a Prudence prooonncad
WIS. WIZ, Ok the sinners, but her ewes
s,- --A.-. toS Carol and Lsrk had
.s- each Other roundIv for : g,r Iau
'-aSS eysy. '' io' giving
ys- ~yl--e should have refused - o,.v
81 h.. 81. saia gently. holding G Co MI
lss@s ~ s'Is. But She has been oO Dnns
s s.a. In The frs, place r S9, you you
,Te, s IT. The Szun and Crossb 5Ses P fov-
in ~ -11 ever. And YOU cannon r JUr-
you -,, o-'n again for month month"; I AnS
ss,s-- 1c>l % over 10 the ATsrrs A ana
seSs ' .. The apples. And aJO pon II ,, and
he he 3s c- OF your spending 4 sou @G @or
s., -,A' Month to that woms aou s,sa LOT q
''''ns Up things for T the ba6 VINO I;',, IS