The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1917-03-02

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 a serious breach of
secret society etiquette.
But here was the letter.! Her fin
gers trembled as she opened 1t. 1t was
decorated lavlshly with skulls and
crossbones, splashed with red ink, sup
posedy 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 or 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 a model pledge of the ancient
and honorable. The twins were gra-
cious but firm. There was no arguing
and no faltering. ut Is the will of
Skull and Crossbones that the damsel
do this" they would say. And the
dalnsel did 1t.
Prudence did not feel 1t was n 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 q 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.
saw them when was out In the field
this morning."
oarol gazed down Into the yard
whefe constance was absorbed In her
DOOR, constance oughtn't to read us
much as she does" she argued. ITS
80 Dad Tor the eyes"
Yes, and what's more, she's been
getting OH too easy for the last few
uays. Ihe time Is nearly up"
That's So" said Lark. Lets call
her up here This was done at once,
and the unfortunate Constance stood
oefore them respectfully, as they had
instructed her to stand. The twins
hesitated' each secretly hoping the
otler would voice the order. But Lark,
us usual, was obliged to be the spokes-
man.
"Damsel," she said, ut Is the will of
skull and Crossbones that you HE ye
to yonder orehard-Avery's l mean
ana bring hither some of the golden
apples Dasking In the sum-"
WhatF 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; ''is for thee
only to render obedlenc" me orders
OF the Society. Go OUT through our
heId ana sneak under the fence where
the wires are loose, and hurry back.
were awfully hungry. The trees are
near the fence. There isn't any dan
ger"
But it's stealing objected Connie.
what VIII Prudence"
Damsel y 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 thoughtfully on the hay and
stared at the cobwebby roof above
them in silence for while. Something
was hurting them, but whether II was
their fear of the wrath of Prudence.
or the twinges of tender consciences--
who can say2"
"She's an unearthly long time about
It," exclaimed Lark at last. "Do Won
suppose they caught her?"
This was an awful thought, and the
girls were temporarily suffocated. But
they heard the barn door swinging he
neath them, and sighed with relief II
was Connie! She climbed the ladder