The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-03-29
CHAPTER XIII.
Fate Takes Charge.

SHSp 6U <stt.
Fate Takes Charge.
For hours Prudence lay unconscious,
with two doctors In close attendance.
Fairy, alert but calm, was at hand to
give them service.
II IL a significant thing that In bitter
anguish and grief. Christians find CON-
fort and peace In prayer. Outsiders. as
well a. Christians, pray In times Of
danger and mental stress, pray. and
pray, and pray again, and continue
still In the agony and passion Of grief
and fear. And yet they pray. But
Christians pray, and find confidence
and serenity. Sorrow may remain. but
anguish Is stilled.
Mount Marx considered this unique
parsonage family. Their nveliness,
their gayety, their love Of fun, seemed
q little inapropos In the setting Of .
Methodist parsonage.
"They amt sanctimonious enough
by half" declared old Harvey Reel. the
bus driver, but. BY Jingsl I tell you
they are dandlesi"
But MS a matter Of fact. every one
OF the family. from Connie up had
characteristic parsonage heart. When
they were worried. or frightened. or
grieved. they prayed. Fniry passing
up the stairs with hot water for the
doctors. whispered to her father as he
turned In TO his own room, Keep on
g.. n at
cause they need me. But I'm praying
every minute between errands" And
Mr.. Starr, kneeling beside his bed, did
prny--and the stony despair In his
eyes died out, and he came from the
little room quiet. and confident. and
calm.
Connie. seeking secluded corner
to pray for Prudence" had passed the
door Of the dungeon. and paused. A
fitting placel SO she turned In Mt
once and In the farthest and darkest
corner, she knelt ON the hard floor and
prayed, and sobbed herself to sleep.
Lark remained loyalty with Carol
until consciousness returned to her. AZ
soon as she was able to walk, the two
went silently to the barn. and climbed
Into the much-loved haymow. There
they lay fiat on the hay. faces down.
ward, each with an arm across the
others shoulder. praying ferventiy.
After time they rose and crept into
the house where they waited patiently
until Fairy came down on one Of her
numerous errnnds.
"ls she better?" they whispered. And
Fairy aaswered gently, IL think she II
a little better" Then the twins. In nc
way deceived, went back to the hay
NOV again.
Fairy prepared a hasty supper, and
arranged Il ON the kitchen table. She
drank a cup of hot coffee. and went In
search Of her father. go and eat
dadsie." she urged. But he shook his
head.
II am not hungry. but send the girls
to the table ut once"
On their next trip into the house
FAIRY stopped the twins. Get Connie
aud eat your supper. It's just cold
lunch, aud Is already on the kitchen
table. You must help yourselves
cant come now"
The twins did not speak. and Fairy
went hurriedly up the stairs once more
II do not think can eat" said Carol
"we'd better take away about hall
of this food, and hide II. Then she vii
think We have already eaten"
This novel plan was acted upon with
promptitude and the twins went bach
10 the haymow. When IL grew darn
they slipped into the kitchen aud hud
died together on the woodbox beside
the stove. And down to them present
~ came Fairy. smiling. her eyes tear
frightened.
"She is betterr cried Carol. spring
Ing to her feet.
"Yes," said Fairy. dropping on he'
knees and burying her face In Lark
Ian. ms she still sat on the woodbox
"She's better. She is better Lar'
pntted the heaving shoulders In
motherly way. and when Fairy iifte'
her face again Il was all serene
though her lashes were wet.
"she is conscious" saic FAIRY. still
on her knees, but with her heat
thrown back, and smiling. "She re
gained consciousness little Will
ago. There is really nothing seriou
the matter. II was hard knock. blu
Il missed the temple. When she be
came conscious. she looked up at ia
Their and smiled. Father looked per
fectly awful. twins, so pale. ana Ill
lips were trembling. And Prudenc
said. Now. father. on your word 0
honor, did you knock me down witt
that ball ON purposeY She spoke YER
low and weak, but-iust like PRIV