Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1917-11-22

Another pause, little more percep-
tible this time. Science and Health"
Carol snid ut last, quite distinctly.
Science and Health" Prudence re-
peated, in a puzzled tone. as it a
doctor bOok?"
"Why-something of the sort-yes,"
said Carol obviously.
"'Sclence and HealthT Science and
HEALTH" unused Fairy. "You don't
mean that Christian Science book, do
you? You know what 1 mean, Pru-
dence-Mary Baker Eddys book-'Sci-
ence and Health'--that's the name Of
1t. That's not what you twins are de-
vouring so ravenously, is it?"
Carol answered with manifest re-
luctance, glancing nervOusly at Pru-
dence, 'Y-yes-that's what it Is"
Ominous silence greeted this admis-
sion. A slow red flush mantled the
twins cheeks. Aunt Grace's eyes
twlnkled a little, although her face
was grave. Fairy looked surprised.
Prudence looked dumfounded.
"What are you reading that fort"
"Why-it's very interesting" ex-
planned Lark, coming to Carols rescue.
"Of course we don't believe it-yet.
But there are some good things in it
it's very deep. But some of the ideas
are very fine, and-er-uplifting you
know"
Prudence looked most miserable.
"But-twins, do you think-minister
daughters ought to read-things like
that?"
"Why, Prudence, I think minister's
daughters ought to be we'll informed
on every subject" declared Lark con-
sclentiously. "How can we be an in
fluence If we don't know anything
about things"
Prudence looked at Fairy and her
aunt in helpless dlsmay. This was
something entirely new In her expert
ence Of rearing a family.
II don't think you ought to read
It," she said slowly. "But at the same
time-what do you think about it,
Aunt Grace?"
"Why-I don't know, Prudence. You
know more about rearing twins than
do"
Prudence at that moment felt that
she knew very little about it, indeed.
She turned to Fairy. There was a
strange intentness in Fairy's fine eyes
as she studied the twins on the floor
at her feet.
"You aren't thinking of turning
Christian Scientists, yourselves, are
yOu" asked Prudence rather humbly.
"Oh, of course, we aren't Scientists,
Prudence" was the quick denial. 1--WE
don't know anything about it yet,
really. But there are lots of very help
full things in it, and-people talk about
1t so much, and-they have made such
wonderful cures, you know, and--we'd
thought we'd just study up q little"
"You take the book yourself and
read it, Prue," urged Carol Hospitality.
you'll see what we mean"
Prudence drew back quickly as
though the book would scar her fin
gers. She looked very forlorn. If only
her father were at hOme-ten days be-
tween herself and the lifting of respon.
sibilltyi
"When father comes home" she be-
gan. And then suddenly Fairy spoke.
II think the twins are right" she
said emphatically. at would be very
narrow-minded of us to refuse to look
into a subject as important as this
Let them go on apd study it; we can
decide things later"
Prudence looked very doubtful, but
warning movement of Fairy's left
eyelash--the side removed from the
twins-comforted her.
"Well-" she said.
"Of course, Prudence, we know it
would nearly break fathers heart for
us to go back on our own church-but
don't you think If folks become truly
convinced that Christian Science is
the true and good religion, they ought
to stand by it and suffer-just like the
martyrs of old?" suggested Lark-and
the suggestion brought the doubt
clouds thick about Prudence's head
once more.
"We may not be convinced, of course,
ihhSu StllOiy Dul lhGlO 10
rather-assuring-about it."
"Oh, twins" Prudence cried earnest
ly but stopped as she caught again the
slight suggestive movement of Fairys
left eyelash.
"Well, let it go for this afternoon"
she said, her eyes intentI on Fairy's
face. 81 must think it over"
The twins, with apparent relish. re-
turned to their perusal of the book.
Fairy rose almost Immediately and
went into the house. coming back a
moment later with her hat and gloves.
'T'm going for a stroll, Prue." she
said. "Pll be back in time for supper"
1t was two hours later when Fairy