The Huttig news., 1917-01-27

 see it '"
 That was the end of supper. No one attempted to eat another bite. After the older girls had gone into the 1 sitting 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 geod night to her. The i twins broke down and cried as they saw the pitiful little figure with the wan and tear-stained face. They threw their arms around her passicnately and kissed her many times. But they went to bed without saying anything
 It was a sorry night for the twins. The next morning they set off to school, with no chance for anything but brief good morning with Connie l given in the presence of Prudence. Half-way down the parsonage walk, Carol said:
 "Oh, wait minute, Lark. left my notebook on the table" And Lark walked slowly while Carol went rush ing back. She found Prudence in the kltcnen, and whispered.
 "Here-here's note, Prudence. Don't read it until after I've gone to school-at ten o'clock you may read it. Will you promise?"
 Prudence laughed q little. but she l promised, and laid the note carefully away to wait the appointed hour for its 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 1 don't punish Connie any more. You can punish me any way you like. and I'll be glad of il. II was all my fault. I made her go and get the apples for me. and 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 so sorry.
 As Prudence read this her face grew very stern. Carols fault, At that moment Prudence heard someone run ming through the hall. and thrust the note hastily into her dress. It was on Prudence, sobbing bitterly.
 What is the matter, Lark?" she cried. really frightened. Are you sicki"
 "Heartsick, that's all," walled Lark "I told the teacher I was sick so could come home. but I'm not. Oh, Prudence, I know you'll despise and abominate me all the rest of your life, and everybody will, and I deserve it. For I stole those apples myself"
 Prudence was surprised and puzzled. She drew the note from her pocket and gave 1t to Lark. "Carol gave me that before she went to school" she explained. Read it, and tell me what you are driving at. I think you are both crazy. Or maybe you are just trying to shield poor Connie"
 Lark read Carols note, and gasped, and-burst out laughing! The shame. the bitter weeping. and nervousness, had rendered her hysterical. and now she laughed and cried until Prudence was alarmed again.
 In time, however, Lark was able to explain. We both did it" she gasped. "the Skull and Crossho .es. And we both told the truth about 1t"
 Prudence laughed. But when she thought of loyal little Connie Sobbing all through the long night, the tears came to her eyes again. She went quickly to the telephone and called up the school building next door to the parsonage.
 | Mir. Imes?" she asked. Tt is very i'm portant. This is Prudence, Ter sis ter" And when Connie came to the telephone, she cried: "Oh, you blessed little child. why did2't you tell ne? Will you forgive me. Connie? You're dear, sweet, good little darling. that's what you are."
 "Oh, Prudence," That was all Con- nie said but something in her voice made Prudence hang up the receiver quickly. and cry bitterly! | That noon Prudence pronounced judgment on the sinners, but her eyes twinkled, for Carol and Lark had scolded each other roundly for giving tnlnSS dNay
 Connie should have refused to obey you" she said gently, holding Connie in her arms But she has been pun ished more than enough. But you twins In the first place, right now abolish the Skull and Crossbones for ever and ever. And you cannot play in the barn again for month. And you must go over to the Averys this afternoon and tell them about it, and pay for the apples. And you must send all of your spending money for the next month to that woman who Is gathering up things for the bad little children in the reform school-that will help you remember what happens to boys and girls who get In the habit of taking things on the spur of the mo- ment w
 The twins accepted all of this gra- ciously, except that which referred to confessing their sin to their neighbors. That did hurt The twins were so su- perior, and admirable They couldn't bear to ruin their regulations. But D.r,1opaa ctand firm in Snita of fhpir