The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1917-02-16
CHAPTER III.
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, and Prudence and Fairy real
lied that much depended on the sue
cess of the day. AS girls, the whole
Methodist church pronounced the
young STAIRS charming. But as par
sonage people-well, they were obliged
to reserve judgment. And as for Pru-
dence having entire charge of the
household, 1t must be acknowledged
that every individual Lady looked
forward to this meeting with eager
ness-they wanted to "size up the sit
uation. They were coming to see for
themselves! Yes, 1t was undoubtedly
crisis.
"There'll be crowd, of course" said
Fairy. "We'll just leave the doors
between the front rooms open"
"Yes, but we'll close the dining-room
doors. Then well have the refresh
ments all out on the table, and when
we are ready we'll just fling back the
doors carelessly and-there you arel !"
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 credit
to them, and to the Methodist church
entire.
From every nook and corner of the
house they hunted out chairs and
stools, anticipating real run upon the
Nor were they disappoint-.
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. Prentlss 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
and"
"Carol! Prudence will punish you"
well, I don't believe It," protested
Jarol. "Im just telling you what I've
leard other people say"
1--WE aren't allowed to repeat gos-
lip" urged Lark.
mo, and think it's a shame, too,
or it's awfully funny. Minnie Drake
old me that Miss Varne Joined the
Iethodist church as soon as she heard
he new minister was widower, so
he"
"Carolw
Carol whirled around sharply, and
ushed, and swallowed hard. For Pru-
ence was just behind her.
"I-I-I-" but she could get no fur
ler
Upon occasion Prudence was quite
'rrlble. $50 heard" she said dryly,
ut her eyes were hard. "Now run up
airs and out to the field, or to the
arm, and play. And, Carol be sure
nd remind me Of that speech tonight. !,
might forget It."
The girls ran quickly out, Carol well
/ the lead. ...
mo wedding fee for me-" she
bitterly. Somehow just
ant help repeating"
"You don't want to-" said Lark, not
'ithout sympathy. "You think It's
uch fun, you know"
We'll, anyhow, I'm sure l won't get
ny cake tonight, 1t seems to me Pru-
ence Is very-harsh sometimes"
You can appeal to father, If you
ke."