Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1917-02-14
laa whispered neryously.

\ SOlllllC IcullZCu lilaL
she had committed a serious breach Of
secret society etiquette.
But here was the letter! Her fin
/ gers trenlbled as she opened it, 1t was
decorated lavishly with skulls and
crosshones, splashed with red ink, sup
(. posedly blood, and written in the same
j suggestive color.
Skull and Crossbones, great in mercy
and in condescension, has listened graci-
ously to the prayer of Constance, the
| Seeker Hear the will Of the Great Spirit.
/ II the Seeker will, for tie length of two
weeks. submit herself to the will of Skull
and crossbones, she shall be admitted in
! 10 the Ancient and Honorable Order
The week that followed was q gala
one for the twins OF Skull and Cross
! bones. Constance swept their room,
made their bed, washed their dishes,
did their chores, and III every way be-
havetl as q model pledge Of the ancient
and honorable TIE twins We're graz
cious but firm. There was no arguing
and no faltering. ut is tie will of
Skull ana Crossbonas that the dalasel
do this" they would say. And the
damsel did it.
Prudence did not feel it was a case
I that called for her interference So
she sat back and watched, while the
twins teld stories, read ana frolicked,
and Constance did their daily tasks.
A week passed. ten days, and twelve.
Then come Il golden October afternoon
when the twins sat in the haynow
looking out upon mellow world. Con.
STANCE was III the yard, reading 4 I;llly
story. The situation was d tense one,
for the twins Were hungry, and time
was heavy on their hands.
'"Tile apple trees in Ayery's orchard
are just loaded" said Lark. "And
! there are lots on the ground, too. l
saw them when I was out in the field
this morning.
: Carol gazed down into the yard
, where Constance was absorbed in her
, book. "Constance oughtn't to read as
much as she does,' she argued. "It's
SO bad for the eyes,
, "Yes, and what's more, she's been
. getting off too easy for the last few
: days. The time is nearly up"
: 'Thats so,''. said Lark. Tets call
her up here" This was done at once
: and the unfortunate Constance stood
t before them respectfully, as they had
Z instructed her to stand. The twins
| hesitated, each secretly hoping the
/ other would voice the order But Lark
, as usual, was obliged to be the spokes
man.
J "Damsel," she said, "it is the viii o.
Skull and Crossbones that you HE ye
to yonder orchard-Ayery's L mean
and bring hither some of the colder
apples basking in the SUM-"
"What!" CALCULATED Connie, startled
4 out Of her respect.
$ Carol .froWned.
, Connie fastened to modify her tone
3 "Did they say you might have them?'
4 she inquired politely.
3 'oThat concerns thee not; tits for the
y only to render obedience to the order!
z Of the Society. Go out through GU
field and sneak under the fence whGrt
= the wires are loose, and hurry back
9 We're aWfully hungry. The trees ar
s near the fence. There isn't any dan
< GER
: "But it's stealing" objected Connie
= "What will Prudence--''
= 'Damsel" And Connie turned t
!, obey with despair in her heart.
t Bring twelve" Carol called sfte
It her, ''that'N be four apiece. And hurry
6 Connie. And see they don't catch yo
: While you're about it,
After she had gone the twins la
9 back thoughtfully on the hay an
2, stared at. the cobWebhy roof aboy
y them in silence for q while. Gomethin
was hurting them, but whether it wa
q their fear of the wrath Of Prudence
Or the twinges Of tesder consciences-
p who can say?'
n "She's an unearthly long time aboy
II it," exclaimed Lark at last. "Do 70
d suppose they caught herr"
n This was an awful thought, and tn
d girls were temporarily suffocated BJ
they heard the barn door swinging b.
,e meath them, and sighed with relief
a was Connie! She climbed the ladde
u skillfully, and poured her golden trea
er' ure before the arch-thieves, Skull an
,e Crossbones.
n There were eight big, temptin
S. apples.
lg alum! Eight" said Carol sternl,
n Il said twelve"
Id eyes, but J was afraid someone wa
n coming. heard such a noise throug
N the grapevines, so I got what I coul
and ran for it. There's three apiee
III for you, and two for me-" said Comm
I'd sitting down socially beside them Q
T. the hay.
ID But Carol rose. "Damsel, begone
she ordered. "When Skull and eros
e. bones feast, thou canst not yet shal
ty the festive board. Rise thee, an
IL speed"
Id Connie rose, and walked soberl
Is toward the ladder. But before she di
OF appeared she fired this parting she
ct 81 don't want any Of them. Stole
D. apples don't taste very good, reckon
IT. Carol and Lark had the grace