The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1917-11-29
CHAPT |.
The Chaperon.
AV7TQ9 Of I2eD0lYcE or LRr rE4RGoXHGE-

Gifts - come uONn! QulCh - L
want to see how you look!"
Prudence stood at the foot of the
stairs, deftly drawing on her black
silk gloves-glovcs still good In Pru-
dcnce'S eyes, though Fairy had long
since discarded them as unfit for scrv-
ice. There was open anxiety In Pru-
dence's expression and Fuckers of
worry pcrpendicularly creased her
white forehead.
"Girlsw she called again. "Girls,
are you deafT'
A door opened in the hallway above,
and Connie started down the stairs.
fully dressed, except that she limped
along in one stocking foot her shoe
In her hand.
"Tt's so silly of you to get all dressed
before you put on your shoes, Connie, "
Prudence reprOved her as she came
down. at wrinkles you up so. But
YOU do look nice. Wasn't 1t dear of the
Ladies' Aid to give you that dress for
YOUR birthday? Do he careful, dear,
and don't get mussed before we come
back. Aunt Grace will be so much
glndder TO live with us If we all look
sweet and clean. And you'll be good
won't you, Connie, and-Twins, will
you cOmeW
"They are sewing up the holes in
each others stockings" Connie voucii-
safed. "They're all dressed"
The twins. evidently realizing thnt
Prudence's patience was near the
breaking point, started downstairs for
approval, a curious procession. All
dressed as Connie had said, and most
charming, but they walked close to-
gether, Carol stepping gingerly on one
foot and Lark STOPPING low, carrying a
needle with great solicitude-the
thread reaching from the needle to
small hole on Carols instep.
"What on earth are you doingT
'Tm sewing up the holes in CaroP'
stocking" Lark explained.
Prudence frowned dlsapprovlngly
"Its a very bad habit to sew up holes
In your stockings when you are wear
ing them. Mercy, Lark, you have to(
much powder on"
T know it--Carol did 1t. She sale
she wanted me to be Of intellectual
pallor." Lark mopped her face will
one hand.
"You look nice, twins" Prudence
advanced a STEP her eyes on Carol.
hair shifting susplciously. "Carol, di'
you curl your halrf"
Carol blushed. "Well, just little,
she confessed. ~ thought Aunt Grac
would appreciate me more with
crown Of frizzy rInglets."
"You'll spoil your hair If you don
leave it alone, and it will serve yo
right, too. Oh, Fairy, know Aur
Grace will love you" she cried e'
statically. "YOu look like a dream
you-"
"Yes--a nightmare" said Carol snil
pily. "If I saw Fairy coming at m
on n dark night I'd"
"papa. we'll miss the train! !! Inc
as he came slowly down the stairs, 81
said to her sisters again anxlousIy
"Oh. girls, do keep nice and clea
won't YOU? And be very sweet
Aunt Grace! It's so awfully good
her--to cOme-and take care of US
prudence's voice broke little. III
rdmlsson of another to the parse
age mothering hurt her.
MFR. Starr stopped on the botto
step, and with one foot rs a plyt
slowly revolved for his daughters J
spection.
GLOW do I look?" he demanded. 81
you think this suit will convince Ora
that l am worth tnklng care Of? ]
I look twenty-five dollars better th'
did Yesterday
The girls gnzed at him with mo
adoring approval.
"Fatheri You look perfectly gram
Isn't 1t beautiful?-Of course y,
looked nicer than anybody else ev
in the old suit, but--it--well, 1t was
Perfectly dIsgracefully shdbb!
nut in Fairy quickly. Entirely II
worthy q minister of your-er--lovt
familyw
81 hope none Of you have let 1t O
nmong the members how long l wo
that old suit. I don't believe I cot
face my congregation on Sundays
thought they were mentally calcul
ing the wearing value Of my vario
yarments.-We'll have to 60, Pl
dence."
"And don't muss the house VI
begged Prudence. as her father open
the door and pushed her gently out
the step.
The four sisters left behind lo0b
Mt once another solemnly. 1t was
serious husiness-most serious. c,
ME gravely put on her shoe, and b
toned II. Lark sewed up the last h
In Carols stoeklpg-Qarol balarcI