The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-07-05


that Carols vagaries We're SO common
as usually to elicit small respect.
"Gone :" she cried, striking her
palms together. Gone
II you do anything TO spoil that
wedding. papa'll whip you, If you are
fifteen years old" said Fairy.
Lark sprang TO her sisters side.
"Whats gone. Carrier" she pleaded
with tears. "Whats gone? Are you
out Of your headT
NO! Out Of my complexion" was
the dramatic answer.
Even Lark fell back, for the moment.
stunned. "Y-your complexion" sne
faltered.
Look, Look at me. Lark. Don't
YOU see? Ny complexion is gone
my beautiful complexion that loved.
Look at me, Oh, would gladly have
sacrificed q leg, or an arm, Aid or
an eve. but not my dear complexion!
Sure enough, now that they looked
carefully. they could indeed perceive
that the usual soft creaminess OF Car
OILS skin was prickled and spared
with ugly red splotches. Her eyes
were watery, shot with blood. For a
time they gazed IN silence, then they
burst into laughter.
'Pie!" cried Fairy. "It's raspberry
Die, coming out, Carol !"
The corners Of Carols lips twitched
slightly and 1t was with difficulty that
She maintained her wounded regnl
bearing. But Lark. always quick to
resent an indIgnity to this twin Of her
heart. turned upon them angrily.
Fairy Starr! You are a wicked, un-
feeling thing! You sit there and
laugh and talk about pie when Carol
is sick and sufYering-her lovely COM
plexion all ruined, and II was the JOY
Of my life. that complexion was.
Papa-why don't you do somethingf"
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
was regret In her eyes.
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,
L - 1to
measles spoiled the wedding"
"Oh, Carol" walled Prudence. don't
have the measles-please don't I've
waited all my life for this wedding
don't spoil it"
"well, I always said it was mis-
take" said Fairy. "a big wedding"
''Oh, Fairy. please don't tell me that
again. know 1t SO well. Papa. what
ever shall we do? Maybe Jerry hasn't
had them either"
"Why, it's easily arranged" said
Lark. "We'l just postpone the we'd
ding until Carols quite well again."
bad luck" said Connie.
"Too much work." said Fairy.
swell, she can't get married with
out Carol, can she?' calculated Lark.
"Are you sure It's measles. Aunt
GraceT
"Yes, it's measles"
"Then." said Fairy, "weIl 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 moodily, "of course
won't. The only real embroidery
dress I ever had In my life-and
haven't got that yet! But go ahead
and get anybody you like. I'm hoo
dooed, that's what 1t is. It's pun
ishnent because you and Jim cheated
yesterday Lark"
"What did you do?" asked Connie.
"You seem to be getting the punish
ment!"
"Shall we have Alice or Katef
Which do you prefer, Larkr'
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-"
ssThen walt for Carol"
Papa. you must make her"