Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1917-02-28
CHAPTER vi.
Practicing Economy.


Practicing Economy.
It was a dull day early in Decem.
Der. Prudence and Fairy were sew.
ing in the bay window of the sitting
room.
I'VE must be sure to have all the
scraps out Of the way before Connie
gets home" said Prudence, carefully
fitting together pieces of dark, warm,
furry material. 'It has been so long
since father wore this coat, am sure
she will not recognize it,
But she will ask where we got 1t,
and what shall we say?"
1--WE must tell her it is goods we have
had in the house for long time. That
Is true And made this fudge on pur-
pose to distract her attention. Poor
Child" she added very sympathetic
cally. "Her heart is just set on brand
new coat. I know she will be bitterly
disappointed. If the members would
just pay up we could get her one. No
months for parsonage people. Every.
one is getting ready for Christmas now.
and forgets that parsonage people need
Christmas money, tOo.''
Fairy took a pin from her mouth. II
have honestly been ashamed of Connie
the last few Sundays. 1t was so cold,
and she wore only that little thin sum-
mer jacket. She must have been half
frozen"
"Oh, had her dressed warmly I'M
'derneath, very warmly indeed" de-
clared Prudence. But no matter how
warm you are underneath, you look
cold if you aren't visibly prepared for
winter weather. kept hoping enough
money would come in to buy her a
coat for once in her life.'
"She has been looking forward to
one long enough put in Fairy. ''This
will be bitter blow to her. And yet
it is not such bad-lOoking coat, after
all.'' And she quickly ran up seam
on the machine.
Here comes Connie!" Prudence
hastily swept pile Of scraps out Of
sight, and turned to greet her little
sister with a CHEEKY smile.
''Come on in, Connie she cried,
with brightness she did not feel.
Fairy and l are making you new
coat. Isn't it ptetty? And so warm
See the nice velvet collar and cuffs.
We want to fit it on you right away,
DEAR
Connie picked up a piece of the
goods and examined it intently.
Don't you want some fudge, Con-
nie?" exclaimed Fairy, showing the
dish toward her hurriedly.
Connie took piece from the plate,
and thrust it between her teeth. Her
eyes We're still fastened upon the brown
furry cloth.
''Where did you get this stuff?' she
inquired, as soon as she was able to
speak.
"Out of the trunk in the garnet, Con-
ME. Don't you want some more fudge?
put lot of nuts in, especially on
your account"
Its good" said Connie, taking an
other piece. She examined the cloth
very closely. "Say, Prudence, isn't this
that old brown coat Of father's?"
Fairy showed her chair back from the
machine, and ran to the window.
Look, Prue," she cried. 'Isn't that
Mrs. Adams coming this way? won
der"
mo, it isn't answered Connie
gravely. 'It's just Miss Avery getting
home from school.-Isn't it, Prudence?
Fathers coat, I mean?"
eyes, Connie, it u.s." said Prudence,
very, very gently. But no one here
has seen it, and it is such nice cloth
just exactly what girls are wearing
now.'
''But ] wanted new coat!' Connie
did not cry. She stood looking at Pru-
dence with her wide hurt eyes.
"Oh, Connie, I'm just as sorry as
you are" cried Prudence, with starting
tears. II know just how you feel about
it dearest! But the people didn't pay
father up last month. Maybe after
Christmas we can get you coat. They
pay up better then.'
II think I'd rather wear my summer
coat until then," said Connie soberly.
"Oh, but you can't, dearest. 1t is too
cold. Went you be a good girl now,
and not make sister feel badly about
It? It really is becoming to you, and it
is nice and warm. Take some more
fudge, dear, and run out-of-doors a
while. You'll feel better about it pres
emily, I'm sure
Connie stood solemnly beside the
table, her eyes still fastened on the
coat, cut down from her fathers. "Can
4 60 and take walk?" she asked
finally.
/ MAY 1 you mean.n suggested Fairy.