The Huttig news., 1917-01-20

1 than Prudence. Like as not he'd give me good thrashing into the bargain No-Tm strong for Prudence when it comes to punishment-in preference to father, I mean. 1 can't seem to be fond of any kind of punishment from anybody"
 For while Carol was much de- pressed, but by nature she was a buoy ant soul, and her spirits were presently soaring again.
 In the meantime, the Ladies of the Aid society continued to arrive. Pru- dence and Fairy, freshly gowned and smiling-faced, received them with cor diality and many merry words. It was not difficult for them; they had been reared in the hospitable atmosphere of Methodist parsonages, where, if you have but two dishes of oatmeal, the outsider is welcome to one. That is l Carols description of parsonage life.
 But Prudence was concerned to oh- serve that big easy chair placed well pack in secluded corner, seemed to be giving dissatisfaction. It was Mrs. Adams who sat there first. She squirmed quite q little, and seemed to ne gripping the arms of the chair with unnecessary ferver. Presently she Stammered an eXcuse. and. rising, went into the other room. After that, Mrs. Miller, then Mrs. Jack, Mrs. Norey. ! and Mrs. Beed, in turn, sat there-and lid not stay. Prudence was quite ago niZed. Had the awful twins filled if with needles for the reception of the poor Ladies'? At first opportunity she hurried into the secluded corner, intent upon trying the chair for herself. She sat down anXiously. Then she gasped and clutehed frantically at the arm of the chair. For she discovered at once to her dismay that the chair was bot tomless, and that only by hanging on for her life could she keep from drop ping through.
 Up rose Prudence. conScicntiously pulling after her the thin cushion which had concealed the chairs short coming. Look, Fairytn she cried. sDid you fake the bottom out of this chair? Il must have been horribly un- comfortable for those who have sat there. However did 1t happenf"
 Fairy was frankly amazed, and little inclined to be amused.
 Ask the twins.n she said tersely; q know nothing about it
 At that moment. the luckless Carol went running through the hall. Pru- dehce knew ii was she, without seeing, because she had peculiar skipping run that was quite characteristic and unmistakable.
 "Carolt'' she called.
 And Carol paused.
 Carol " more imperativeIy.
 Then Carol slowly opened the door she was parsonage girl and rose to the occasion. She smiled winsomely- Carol was nearly always winsome.
 How do you do?" she said brightly. Isn't it a lovely day? Did you call l ne, Prudenceg
 Yes. Do you know where the bot tom of that chair has gene?"
 Why no, Prudence-gracious That "hair why, l didn't know you were going to bring that chair in here. Why-oh, I am so sorry Why in the world didn't you tell us bcforehand?"
 Some of the Ladies smiled. Others lifted their brows and shoulders in a mildly suggestive way, that Prudence, after nineteen years in the parsonage, had learned to know and dread
 And where is the chair-bottom non = sine inquired And why did you take it?"
 "Why, We wanted to make"
 You and Lark ?"
 s'Well, yes-but it was really all my fault, you know. We wanted to make d seat up high in the peach tree. and the bottom off the chair was just fine. It's a perfectly adorable seat" bright ening. but sobering again as she real ized the gravity of the occasion. And we put the cushion in the chair so that it wouldn't be noticed. We never use that chair, you know. I'm so sorry about it.'
 Carol was really quite crushed, but true to her parsonage training, she struggled valiantly and presently brought forth Il crumpled and sickly smile.
 But Prudence smiled at her kindly. That wasn't very naughty, Carol" she said frankly. "It's true that we sell dom use that chair. And we ought to have looked She glanced reproach- fully at Fairy. Ut is strange that in duSting it, Fairy-but never mind. You l may go now, Carol. It is all right"
 Then she apologized gently to the Ladies, and the conversation went on, but Prudence was unceufortably con- scious of keen and quiMical eyes turned her way. Evidently they thought she was too lenient.
 "Well, it wasn't very naughty" she thought wretehedly. How can I pre- tend it was terribly bad, when l feel in my heart that it wasn't v
 The meeting progressed. and the business was presently disposed of. So far, things were not too seriously bad, and Prudence sighed in great re- lief. Then the Ladies took out their sewing, and began industriously work