The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-01-19
CHAPTER H.
The Ladies' Aid.

The Ladies' Aid.
Now this really was crisis In the
life Of the parsonage family. The girls
had met, separately, every member OF
the Ladies' Aid. But this was their
first combined movement upon the par
sonage, ana Prudence and Fairy real
ized that much depended on the sue
cess Of the day. AS girls. the whole
Methodist church pronounced the
young STAIRS charming. But as mar
sonage people-well, they were obliged
TO reserve judgment And as for Pru-
dence having entire charge of the
household, II must be acknowledged
that every individual Lady looked
forward to this meeting with eager
ness-they wanted TO "slze up the sit
uation. They were coming to see for
themselves! Yes, II was undoubtedly
crisis.
"There'll be a crowd, Of course" said
Fairy "Well just leave the doors
between the front rooms Open"
'Yes, but Wen close the dining-room
doors. Then Wen have the refresh
ments all out on the table, and when
we are ready Wen just fling back the
doors carelessly and-there you are I"
So the table was prettily decorated
with flowers, and great plates of sand
wiches and cake were placed upon 1t.
In the center was an enormous punch
bowl, borrowed from the Averys, full
OF lemonade. Glasses were properly
arranged on the trays, and piles of
nicely home-laundered napkins were
scattered here and there. The girls
felt that the dining room was a credit
to them, and to the Methodist church
entire.
From every nook and corner of the
house they hunted out chairs and
stools, anticipating a real run upon the
parsonage. Nor were they disappolnt-
ed. The twins and Connie were not
even arrayed in their plain little ging-
hams, clean, before the first arrivals
were ushered up into the front bed
room, ordinarily occupied by Prudence
and Fairy.
There's Mrs. Adams and Mrs.
Prentlss, and Mrs" began Connie,
listening intently to the voices in the
next room.
Yes" whispered Carol, peek
through the keyhole, Lark, and see If
Mrs. Prentiss is looking under the bed
for dust. They say she"
"You'd better not let Prudence catch
you repeating"
There's Mrs. Stone, and Mrs. Davis
and"
"They say Mrs. Davis only belongs
TO the Ladies' Aid for the sake of the
refreshments, and"
"Carol! Prudence will punish you"
well, don't believe it," protested
Carol. I'm just telling you what I've
heard other people say"
1--WE aren't allowed to repeat gos-
sip" urged Lark.
"No, and l think it's a shame, too,
for it's awfully funny. Minnie Drake
told me that Miss Varne Joined the
Methodist church as soon as she heard !
the new minister was a widower, so
she"
Carol ~
Carol whirled around sharply, and |
flushed, and swallowed hard. For Pru-
lence was just behind her.
"I-I-I-" but she could get no fur
her.
Upon occasion Prudence was quite |
terrible. $50 heard" she said dryly, |
)ut her eyes were hard. "Now run up
stairs and out to the field, or to the
barn, and play. And, Carol, be sure
md remind me of that speech tonight.
might forget it."
The girls ran quickly out, Carol well
II the lead.
mo wedding fee for me-" she
bitterly. Somehow 1 just
ant help repeating"
"You don't want to-" said Lark, not
Without sympathy. you think it's
uch fun, you know"
"Well, anyhow, I'm sure won't get
ny cake tonight. 1t seems to me Pru-
Ience is very-harsh sometimes"
"You can appeal to father, if you
Ike"