Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1917-11-29

that Carols vagaries were 90 common
as usually to elicit email respect.
"Gonew she cried, striking her
palms together. "Goner
"If you do anything to spoil that
wedding. papa'll whip you, IL you are
fifteen years DID," said Fairy.
Lark sprang to her sisters side.
whats gone, Carrier" she pleaded
with tears. "What's gomez Are you
out Of your headT
"Noi Out of my complexion" was
the dramatic answer.
Even Lark fell back, for the moment,
stunned. "Y-your complexion" she
faltered.
Look Look at me, Lark. Don't
you seer My complexion is gone
my beautiful complexion that 1 loved.
Look at me! Oh, would gladly have
sacrificed leg, or an arm, a--rib or
an eye, but not my dear complexion !"
Sure enough, now that they looked
carefully, they could indeed perceive
that the usual soft GREATNESS Of Car
OILS skin was prickled and spared
with ugly red splotches. Her eyes
were watery, shot with blood. For
time they gazed in silence, then they
burst into laughter.
"Piew cried Fairy. "It's raspberry
pie, coming out, Carroll"
The corners Of Carols lips twitched
slightly, and 1t was with difficulty that
she maintained her wounded regal
bearing. But Lark, always quick to
resent an indignity to this twin Of her
heart, turned upon them angrily.
"Fairy Starrl You are wicked, I'M
feeling thing! You sit there and
laugh and talk about pie when Carol
Is sick and suffering-her lovely COM
plexion oil ruined, and 1t was the Joy
of my life, that complexion was.
Papa-why don't you do something"
But he only laughed harder than
ever. "If there's anything more pre-
posterous than Carols vanity because
of her beauty, it's Lark's vanity for
her." he said.
Aunt Grace drew Carol to her side,
and examined the ruined complexion
closely. Then she smiled, but there
WIS IeBfct III uSE eyes.
"Well. Carol, you've spoiled your
part Of the wedding sure enough.
You've got the measles"
Then came the silence Of utter hor.
ror.
"Not the measles" begged Carol,
wounded afresh. "Give me diphtheria,
or smallpox, or-or even leprosy, and
I'll bear 1t bravely and with a smile,
but 1t shall not be said that Carols
measles spoiled the wedding"
"Oh, Carol" walled Prudence, don't
have the measles-please don't. I've
waited oil my life for this wedding
don't spoil It."
swell, always said it was a mis-
take" said Fairy. "a big wedding"
"Oh, Fairy, please don't tell me that
again. 1 know it so well. Papa, what.
ever shall we do? Maybe Jerry hasn't
had them either"
"Why, it's easily arranged" said
Lark. "Well just postpone the we'd
ding until Carols quite well again."
bad luck" said Connie.
"Too much work." said Fairy.
"Well, she can't get married with.
out Carol. can she?" calculated Lark.
"Are you sure it's measles, Aunt
Grace?"
"Yes, it's measles"
"Then," said Fairy, "we'll get Alice
Bird or Katie Free to bridesmaid WITH
Lark. They are the same size and
either will do all right. She can wear
Carols dress. You won't mind that,
will you, Carol?"
"No," said Carol modify, "of course
1 won't. The only real embroidery
dress I ever had in my life-and
haven't got that yeti But go ahead
and get anybody you like. I'm hoo.
dooed, that's what it is. It's a pun
ishment because you and Jim cheated
yesterday, Lark"
"What did you dof" asked Connie
'You seem to be getting the punish
ment !"
"Shall we have Alice or Katiei
Which do you prefer, Lark"
you'll have to get them both" was
the stole answer. II won't brides
maid without Carol"
"Don't be silly, Lark. You'll have
to-"
"Then wait for Carol"
Papa, you must make her."