Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-02-27

one for the twins of Skull and Cross
bones. Constance swept their room.
made their bed, washed their dishes.
did their chores, and in every way be-
haved. as model pledge of the ancient
and honorable. The twins were gra-
cious but firm. There was no arguing
and no faltering. 1T is the will of
Skull and CrOsSbOnes that the damsel
do this" they would say. And the
damSel did it,
Prudence did not feel it was a case
that called for her interference. So
she sat back and watched, while the
twins told stories, read and frolicked,
and Constance did their daily tasks.
A week passed, ten days, and twelve.
Then came golden October afternoon
when the twins sat in the haymow
looking out upon mellow world. Con-
stance was in the yard, reading q fairy
story. The situation was a tense one,
for the twins were hungry, and time
was heavy on their hands.
The apple trees in Avery's orchard
are just loaded" said Lark. "And
there are lots on the ground, too. 1
saw them when / 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. "Its
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"
That's So" said Lark. Lets call
her up here" This was done at once.
and the unfortunate Constance stood
before them respectfully, as they had
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.
"Damsel," she said, sit is the will of
Skull and Crossbones that you HE We
to yOnder Orchard-Avery's l mean
and bring hither some of the golden
apples baSking in the SUM-
What" calculated Connie, startled
out of her respect.
Carol frOWned.
Connie FASTENED to modify her tone.
did they say you might have them?
she inquired politely.
THAT concerns thee not; it's for thee
only to render obedience to the orders
of the Society. Go out through our
field and sneak under the fence where
the wires are loose, and hurry back.
We're awfully hungry. The trees are
near the fence. There isn't any dan
ger"
But it's stealing" objected Connie.
What will Prudence"
"Damseli'' And Connie turned to
obey with despair in her heart.
Bring twelve" Carol called after
her, 'that'l be four apiece. And hurry,
Connie. And see they don't catch you
while you're about It,"
After she had gone the twins lay
back thoughtfully on the hay and
stared at the cobwebby roof above
them in silence for while. Something
was hurting them, but whether it was
their fear of the wrath of Prudence,
or the twinges of tender conscienceS-
who can Say?"
'She's an unearthly long time about
it," exclaimed Lark at last. do you
suppose they caught herr"
This was an awful thought, and the
girls were temporarily suffocated. But
they heard the barn door swinging be-
meath them, and sighed with relief. 1t
was Connie! She climbed the ladder
skillfully, and poured her golden treas
ure before the arch-thieves, Skull and
Crossbones.
There were eight big, tempting
apples.
Hunt Eight" said Carol sternly.
81 said twelve"
"Yes, but was afraid someone was
coming. l heard such q noise through
the grapevines, so / got what / could
and ran for it There's three apiece
for you, and two for me-" said Connie,
sitting down socially beside them on
the hay.
But Carol rose. "Damsel, BECOME"
she ordered. when Skull and Cross
bones feast, thou canst not yet share
the festive board. Rise thee, and
speed"
Connie rose. and walked soberly
toward the ladder. But before she dis
appeared she fred this parting shot.
II don't want any Of them. Stolen
apples don't taste very good, reckon"
Carol and Lark had the grace to
flush n little at this. but however the
stolen apples tasted. the twins had no
difficulty in disposing of them. Then,
full almost beyond the point of COM
fort, they slid down the hay chutes.
went out the back way, turned the cor
ner, and came quietly in through the
front door of the parsonage.
Prudence was in the kitchen prepar-
ing the evening meal. Fairy was in
the sitting room, busy with her books.
The twins set the table conScientiously.
( filed the woodbox. and in every way
labored irreproachably. But Prudence
had no word of praise for them that
evening. She hardly seemed to know
they were about the place. She went
about her work with a pale face, and
never a smile to be seen.
Supper was nearly ready when Con-
ME sauntered in from the barn. After
leaving the haymow, she had found 8
cozy corner In the corncrib. with two
heavy laprobes discarded BY the twins
in their flight from wolves. and had
settled down there to finish her story
AS she stepped into the kitchen Pru-
dence turned TO her with such sorry.
reproachful gaze that Connie was
frightened.
-Are you sick, Pruei" she gasped.