The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-03-01


It," exclaimed Lark at last. DO you
suppose they caught hcrf"
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. 1t
was Connie She climbed the ladder
skillfully, and poured her golden treas
urc before the arch-thieves, Skull and
Crossbones.
There were eight big, tempting
apples.
alum! Eight" said Carol stcrnly.
81 said twelve"
"Yes. but was afraid someone was
coming. heard such noise through
the grapevines, so got what could
and ran for 1t. There's three apiece
for you, and two for me-" said Connie.
sitting down sociably beside them on
the hay.
But Carol rose. "Damsel, begone."
she ordered. "Whep Skull and Cross
bones fenst, thou canst not yet share
the festive board. Rise thee, and
speed"
Connie rose, and walked soberly
toward the ladder. But before she dis
appeared she fired this parting shot,
~ don't want any of them. Stolen
apples don't taste very good, reckon"
Carol and Lark had the grace to
flush little ut this, but however the
stolen apples tasted, the twins had no
difficulty In disposlng Of them. Then,
full almost beyond the point OF com
fort. they slid down the hay chutes,
went out the back way, turned the cor
ner, and came quietly In through the
front door of the parsonage.
Prudence was in the kitchen prepar-
ing the evening meal. Fairy was In
the sitting room, busy with her books
The twins set the table conscientiously
filed the woodbox. and In every way
labOred irreproachably. But Prudence
had no word of praise for them tha,
evening. She hardly seemed to know
they were about the place. She went
about her work with pale face, and
never smile to be seen.
Supper was nearly ready when Con
ME sauntered I'm from the barn. Aftel
leaving the haymow, she had fc2nd Q
, cozy corner In the corncria with tive
heavy lnprobes discarded by the t~in.
In their flight from wolves, and hat
settled down there to finish her story
AS she stepped into the kitchen Pru
, dence turned to her with such sorry
reproachful gaze that Connie wa
frightened.
> "Are you sick, Pruef" she gasped.
Prudence did not answer. She wen
, to the door and called Fairy. "Finisl
: getting supper, will you. Fairy? An,
Q when you are call ready. you and tn
+, twins go right on eating. Don't wal
i for father-he isn't coming home unit
: evening. Come upstairs with me. Cor
ME; / want to talk to you"
q Connie followed her sister soberl.
= and the twins flashed ut each othe
4, startling and questioning looks.
), The three girls were at table who
, Prudence came into the dining roo
1t alone. She fixed trny-supper quietl
l. and carried 1t Off upstairs. Then sf
Z came back and sat down by the tabl
II But her face bore marks of tears, an
FL she had no appetite. The twins ha
le felt small liking for their food before
now each mouthful seemed to chol
'e them. But they dared not ask a que
10 ton. They were devoutly thankf
he when Fairy finally voiced their interes
d. "what is the matter? Has Conn
been In mischief?"
e. "It.s worse than that" faltered Pr
III dence, tears rushing to her eyes agai
W "Why, Prudence! What In the wor
~ has she done?"
y II may as well tell you, I suppose
o' you'll have to know II sooner or late
nc She-went out into Avery's Orcha
and stole some apples this afterpot
;. was back In the alley seeing II Nj
~ Moon could do the washing. and 81
her from the other side. She we
~ from tree to tree. and when she Z
through the fence she ran. There's
~ mistake about it-she confessed I
er twins looked up In agony, but Pl
as dence's face reassured them. Ct
70 stance had told no tales. II have t.
her she must spend all Of Eer time I
en stairs alone for week. taking
:" meals there, too. She will go to scho
of course, but that is all. I want
'h to see the awfulness of 1t. I told
&c, didn't think we wanted to eat will
y. a thief-just vet! l said we must
nu used to the idea Of 1t first. She
us heartbroken, butt must make
ne see it!"
rk,